Help offered for range of tech needs

By Ann Havemeyer

On Mondays, beginning in October, there will be a new face at the Norfolk Library. Jennifer Lutris is the new part-time “digital navigator,” one of two navigators shared among the seven Northwest Corner libraries (Norfolk, Canaan, Falls Village, Salisbury, Sharon, Cornwall and Kent). A digital navigator is a trusted guide who assists community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices and digital skills.

Four years ago, the seven libraries formed the Northwest CT Library Collaborative and made plans to apply for funding for two shared digital navigators. In spring 2025, after the group had mapped community need and developed a strong case for support, federal funds were rescinded. Not willing to give up on the idea, the collaborative reached out to potential local funding sources and received a grant from the Foundation for Community Health to support the first year of the initiative, with contingent approval for two additional years. The collaborative additionally received grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation for training and equipment and from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation to fund a subscription for each of the libraries to Northstar Digital, a digital literacy curriculum.

This summer the collaborative initiated the program, now known as ConneCTing the Corner, by hiring two digital navigators. Jennifer Lutris will spend three hours per week at each of three libraries (Canaan, Falls Village and Norfolk), and Paul Bacsik will cover the remaining four libraries (Salisbury, Sharon, Cornwall and Kent).

They will provide individualized or small group assistance to community members who may need affordable home internet service, affordable internet-capable devices and/or coaching in introductory digital skills. This could range from helping someone navigate the online job application process to figuring out school or government services portals, telehealth or simply how to use devises like a tablet or smartphone.

Lutris and Bacsik are not technical experts but embrace the challenge of learning and teaching basic technological concepts. They are both creative problem solvers, good listeners and will be able to guide clients through the steps needed to access resources and improve skills. Lutris has years of experience in her former role as reference librarian at CT State Community College in Bridgeport and has been a longtime resident of Winchester Center. Patient, friendly and community-minded, she has a wealth of experience in helping diverse library patrons navigate technology, breaking down complex tasks into step-by-step processes and adapting approaches as needed. She is deeply committed to equitable access to information and digital resources for all. She will be available at the Norfolk Library on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment, beginning Oct. 4.

Bacsik is a retired small business owner in the wine industry. A resident of Sharon, he has adapted his retirement years to learning new technological skills and teaches a course in “unlocking creativity” at the Sharon Hotchkiss Library. Although both the navigators will have set hours at certain libraries, patrons are welcome to set up an appointment at any of the seven libraries.
For more information or to set up an appointment with Jennifer Lutris, please call the Norfolk Library at 860-542-5075 ext. 2.
Editor’s Note: The author is director of Norfolk Library.