Greater Family Health and Gail Borden Public Library’s Fight Against Digital Inequities

May 6, 2022

Greater Family Health is determined to breaking down barriers and eliminating inequities in all areas of our patient’s lives. That is why we are excited to continue our collaboration with Gail Borden Public Library’s TechKnow Mobile as they continue to address and mend digital and technological inequities in Elgin and surrounding communities.

Gail Borden Public Library’s TechKnow Mobile is a one-stop technology assistance vehicle. The TechKnow Mobile offers circulating Wi-Fi hotspots, Google Chromebooks, print books, and DVDs, and the Gail Borden Public Library staff members on board are ready to help if anyone needs to know how something works.

“It has been an honor working alongside Greater Family Health and their Community Outreach Department to help bridge the digital divide,” said Madeleine Villalobos, Digital Equity Librarian for Gail Borden Public Library. “The pandemic helped bring to light the digital gap among the underserved” she continued.

Madeleine, alongside several Gail Borden Public Library team members, have called Greater Family Health’s location at 373 Summit Street in Elgin, IL home as they bring their big and bold TechKnow Mobile to provide resources to Greater Family Health patients and their family members.

Madeleine states “The families that [we] meet [often] borrow computers or hotspots for many reasons, such as learning computer basics, connecting to their Patient Portal to see their medical charts, telehealth, registering for programs, employment, and/or entertainment.”

Through these interactions, Gail Borden Public Library and Greater Family Health have seen and heard tremendous and heartfelt success stories from the patients and their family members who have engaged with the TechKnow Mobile. Please read some of the success stories below:

A father brought his daughter to the TechKnow Mobile and took out his first library card. He also took home a Chromebook and a hotspot so he and his daughter could have internet access at home as he was interested in expanding his daughter’s literary growth and exposure.

An elderly man entered the TechKnow Mobile eager to learn about technology. As he grows older, he has noticed that he needs to see a doctor more often and has come to realize that everything from completing forms and making appointments is completed online. He took home a Chromebook and a hotspot so he could begin to learn computer basics. He was excited to begin his journey into technology and that this would be a great way for him and his grandson to bond, as well.

A young mother loved that she found the TechKnow Mobile at Greater Family Health. She was eager to connect her family with access to the internet, a laptop, and database information for her child. While looking around the TechKnow Mobile, she expressed interest in finding books and online resources to teach her child and her husband sign language as she is losing her hearing and will soon reply on American Sign Language to communicate. The Gail Borden Public Library team members were able to connect her with local sign language courses being offered.

In one of the early visits of the TechKnow Mobile, staff members met a young man who was down on his luck and was searching for employment for financial needs and health benefits, so he borrowed a Chromebook and a hotspot to apply for jobs and communicate effectively with any potential employers. The young man returned to the TechKnow Mobile a few weeks later and informed the team members that he was able to find a new job with the resources he was provided. He has made it clear that he will continue to return to utilize the TechKnow Mobile resources and provide updates on his employment.

“[These stories] demonstrate the importance of removing barriers to technology access while providing computer devices and digital literacy to enhance lifelong learning where our customers live, learn and play” Madeleine stated.

You can visit the TechKnow Mobile at Greater Family Health’s 373 Summit Street location two times a month. For more information and dates of their visits, please visit: GreaterFamilyHealth.org/Events-Classes/