Piloting ELEVATE at the Lawrence Public Library
In Lawrence, Massachusetts, librarians, community leaders, and residents are working together to close the digital divide. Through the new ELEVATE platform, the Lawrence Public Library is piloting a modern, people-centered approach to internet access, device lending, and digital skill-building. This pilot is designed not only to support local families today, but also to serve as a scalable model that other libraries across the country can adapt.
A Community Rooted in Resilience
Lawrence is a city with a rich history, a strong immigrant community, and a deep culture of resilience. Yet many residents still lack affordable, reliable access to technology, which makes it harder to complete school assignments, apply for jobs, schedule medical appointments, or stay connected with loved ones.
The library has long acted as a trusted hub where people turn for help—whether that’s printing a document, learning English, or finding a good book for their children. The ELEVATE pilot builds on that trust. By combining powerful digital tools with the welcoming environment of the library, it gives patrons a safe place
What the ELEVATE Platform Offers
The ELEVATE platform brings together several key elements that make digital access easier and more personal for both patrons and staff:
- A streamlined system for lending laptops, hotspots, and other devices so families can get online from home.
- Simple, guided experiences that help patrons learn how to use email, navigate websites, fill out online forms, and stay safe on the internet.
- Bilingual and multilingual support so that people can learn in the language they are most comfortable using.
- Built-in dashboards that help librarians understand which resources are most helpful and where additional training or outreach may be needed.
Instead of treating technology as a one-time service, this approach turns the library into an ongoing partner in each patron’s digital journey.
Powered by Local Partnership
This pilot is made possible through the support of the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) and other partners who believe that digital access is a basic need. Their investment allows the Lawrence Public Library to customize ELEVATE to meet local needs and to integrate it with the library’s existing Integrated Library System (ILS). That means staff can spend less time juggling separate tools and more time helping people directly.
The collaboration between ECCF, the library, and community organizations ensures that the pilot reflects real-world challenges faced by residents—whether that’s sharing a single phone among family members, struggling with online-only job applications, or figuring out how to access telehealth appointments.
Early Impact on Patrons
Even in its early stages, the pilot is already changing how people interact with technology at the library. Adults who once felt intimidated by computers are signing up for one-on-one help sessions. Parents are borrowing devices so their children can complete homework without sitting in a parking lot to connect to Wi-Fi. Older adults are learning how to join video calls, manage online banking more safely, and stay in touch with family across the country.
For library staff, the platform provides structure and data. They can see which lessons and tools are used most often, adjust programming accordingly, and share clear outcomes with funders and community stakeholders. The result is a more responsive, people-focused digital literacy program.
A Blueprint for Libraries Nationwide
The long-term goal of this local pilot is bigger than one building or one city. By testing and refining ELEVATE in Lawrence, the project is creating a blueprint that other libraries can use to offer inclusive, data-informed digital literacy services. Libraries of all sizes will be able to learn from the Lawrence experience—what worked well, what patrons asked for, and how staff balanced new responsibilities with their existing work.
Ultimately, this pilot is about more than technology. It is about dignity, opportunity, and belonging. When community members have the tools and support they need to participate fully in the digital world, they can pursue education, build careers, stay healthy, and stay connected. The Lawrence Public Library, ECCF, and their partners are demonstrating how a focused investment in digital inclusion can uplift an entire community.
To learn more about the ELEVATE platform and its growing impact, visit www.iElevate.us or stop by the Lawrence Public Library to see how this innovation is opening doors every day.
To explore more local projects that support technology access in our community, visit our Digital Literacy Programs page.
