Get online with the help of Fraser Coast Libraries

Online bingo, virtual trivia and tips and tricks for making video calls are among the activities being organised on the Fraser Coast for Get Online Week.

Get Online Week runs from 19-25 October, and Fraser Coast Libraries are teaming up with community groups to offer a range of online activities.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour encouraged residents to get online to take advantage of the extraordinary resources available on the internet.

“Now is the time to get online and learn more, with COVID-19 highlighting how people who are not tech savvy can face isolation and social disadvantages,” he said.

“Council’s library staff began providing a range of our regular in-library activities online during the pandemic which allowed members of our community to continue seeing familiar local faces.

“People can also access a host of free, online resources such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, eLearning, films and remote access to the library edition of Ancestry.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their library membership.

“With over 65s the least connected group in Australia, our library team are collaborating with the Maryborough and District Committee on the Ageing, Community for Multicultural Action, University of the Sunshine Coast and the Seniors in Focus program to spark interest in getting online.”
Cr Seymour said Fraser Coast Libraries was also hosting an online writing workshop using Zoom on November 1.

“The free workshop is about how to write the biography of a living subject presented by University of the Sunshine Coast academic and author Sarah Pye,” he said.

“We’re encouraging anyone who doesn’t know how to use Zoom to register for the workshop and library staff will contact them ahead of the session to help them access and use Zoom.”

Fraser Coast regional librarian Tara Webb said people who were new to the online world could learn about accessing government and health services, paying bills, online shopping, social interaction, applying for jobs and more through online Be Connected courses at beconnected.esafety.gov.au.

“Library staff can then help people over the phone on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month between 9.30am and 11am or 1pm and 2.30pm or on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month between 9.30am and 11am with any queries in relation to Be Connected.

“Also, for quick questions or troubleshooting, people can phone 4197 4220 for help between 1pm and 3pm every Thursday.

“Everyone can learn and we’re here to help.”

To find out more about local Get Online Week activities, phone Fraser Coast Libraries on 4197 4220 or for details about Fraser Coast Libraries’ eLibrary, go to frasercoast.qld.gov.au/elibrary

Get Online Week is organised by the Good Things Foundation Australia. For more information, visit www.getonlineweek.com or phone 1300 795 897.