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Computers and Internet
  • Connecting Merton

Connecting Merton: Improve Your Digital Skills

Merton Library and Heritage Service has launched a project called Connecting Merton to get digitally excluded people in Merton develop their digital skills. 

Working in partnership with stakeholders such as Wimbledon Guild and Merton Adult Education, residents will receive the support and training needed to gain valuable digital skills. 

The project aims to extend the reach of Merton Libraries and reduce digital exclusion in the borough through the delivery of an innovative scheme for digitally excluded residents who will be able to get laptops and tablets on loan from Merton libraries for a period of 3 months.

Volunteers will support residents taking part in the scheme at the libraries. As well as 1:1 support, residents will be able to attend IT courses run by Merton Adult Learning to develop their digital skills

We have several devices on offer:

Laptops and Tablets

Who can borrow a device?

In order to borrow a device you must meet the following guidelines:

  • Be a Merton resident aged 18+. 
  • Have a Merton library card in good standing, which means: no outstanding fines or fees, or history of lost items. 
  • Be able to provide photo ID when you borrow the device or two forms of ID such as bank statement, NI card etc.

Terms and Conditions

The main terms of the loan are:

  • Maximum of one device to be borrowed per person at a time
  • Three month loan period with the option of renewing for a further three month loan (maximum two renewals) if there is no one else waiting to borrow.
  • If lost or damaged charges will be applied depending on the device you've borrowed.

Borrowers will need to sign a loan agreement form and agree to the Terms and Conditions of use.

Register your Interest

To register your interest in getting a device please complete this form and email it to Merton.Libraries@merton.gov.uk

You can also pick up a form from any of our libraries and return it there.

National Databank

Merton libraries are working with The Good Things Foundation to support digital inclusion through the National Databank scheme which provides free mobile phone data, texts and calls for people in need.

The National Databank scheme is supported by UK mobile networks Vodafone, O2 and Three.

Eligibility criteria:

To receive data through the National Databank you must:

·       Be 18+ years old

·       And be from a low-income household

You must also qualify in one of the following statements:

·       Has no access or insufficient access to the internet at home

·       Has no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home

·       Cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up

A person can have access to data for up to 12 months. Their mobile device must either be unlocked or, if locked, be locked to O2, Vodafone or Three.

Amazon Echo Shows

Amazon Echo Show is a smart speaker that is part of the Amazon Echo line of products. which uses Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa, but additionally features a 8-inch touchscreen display that can be used to display visual information to accompany its responses, as well as play video and conduct video calls with other Echo Show users. To use the device borrowers will need internet access and access to an amazon account. We can help support users set an amazon account up as part of the Connecting Merton project.

Who can borrow a device?

In order to borrow a device you must meet the following guidelines:

  • Be a Merton resident aged 18+
  • Have a Merton library card in good standing, which means: no outstanding fines or fees, or history of lost items. 
  • Be able to provide photo ID when you borrow the device or two forms of ID such as bank statement, NI card etc.

Terms and Conditions

The main terms of the loan are:

  • Maximum of one device to be borrowed per person at a time
  • Three month loan period with the option of renewing for a further three month loan (maximum two renewals) if there is no one else waiting to borrow.
  • If lost or damaged charges will be applied depending on the device you've borrowed.

Borrowers will need to sign a loan agreement form and agree to the Terms and Conditions of use.

Register your Interest

To register your interest in getting a device please complete this form and email it to Merton.Libraries@merton.gov.uk

You can also pick up a form from any of our libraries and return it there.

IT Support Sessions

Colliers Wood Library

Tuesdays, 11.30am - 2.30pm

Thursdays, 10am - 1pm

Booking required. Call 020 8274 5799 or email collierswood.library@merton.gov.uk

Mitcham Library

Call the library for dates 020 8274 5745.

Morden Library

Saturdays, 10am-12pm.

Drop in sessions, no need to book.

Raynes Park Library

Tuesdays, 10 -11am

Thursdays 2-3pm

Fridays, 10am-12noon

Saturdays, 9.30am-11.30am

Drop in sessions, no need to book.

Wimbledon Library

Thursdays, 2.30-3.30pm

Drop in, no need to book.

Get Involved in Connecting Merton

We are looking for IT Support volunteers to get involved in this project. There are two roles availabe:

  • IT Support Volunteer: to provide 1:1 or group IT support to residents to get help gain IT and digital skills
  • IT Tech Support Volunteer: to provide more technical support such us installing software, carry out equipment maintenance etc. 

Please see more information about the roles below:

IT Support Volunteer - Connecting Merton Project

IT Tech Support Volunteer - Connecting Merton Project

To apply, please complete the form below and email it to Merton.Libraries@merton.gov.uk 

Library volunteering expression of interest form

 

For more information about Connecting Merton email Merton.Libraries@merton.gov.uk