At the Amarillo Public Library, digital access is more than a service, it’s a lifeline. During a recent webinar for the Texas Library Association (TLA)’s Innovation and Technology Round Table (ITRT), Maggie Elder, the library’s Digital Outreach Coordinator, shared how their innovative Digital Navigator program is helping the community build confidence, skills, and independence in an increasingly online world.
Elder explained that Amarillo is experiencing big shifts, and the library is stepping up to meet its community where they are. From helping seniors access telehealth to supporting young people searching for jobs, the program is designed around coaching and mentoring so no one gets left behind. As Elder put it, “This isn’t a tech project, it’s a people project.”
The library’s efforts are already making an impact through creative initiatives:
- Silver Surfers brings digital support to older adults across three community locations, with plans to expand.
- Project Reclaim helps survivors of domestic abuse rebuild digital independence.
- Youth programs like Girls Who Game and Girls Who Code give teens the chance to learn, earn certifications, and even prepare to serve as digital navigators themselves.
- AI education workshops open conversations about how artificial intelligence affects jobs, safety, and everyday life.
Behind the scenes, Amarillo Public Library has built an in-house learning management platform that tracks digital literacy progress, making it possible to assess needs and measure growth. Partnerships are also at the heart of the program, connecting the library with nonprofits, shelters, churches, and other trusted community organizations.
Challenges remain, economic barriers, rural access, language differences—but the library is committed to long-term sustainability. Elder emphasized the importance of digital dignity, privacy, and building trust, noting that the program is about creating an ecosystem of support that lasts. With a diverse community that speaks more than 60 languages, Amarillo Public Library shows what’s possible when libraries make their patrons a priority.
Amarillo continues to be a tech-forward community. You can read one of my earlier blogs about their AI assistant Emma, a “digital human” the city uses as a city spokesperson to answer questions.
