In the modern age, many people heavily rely on the use of technology in their day-to-day lives. Maybe you need to send emails for work, or you simply want to stay connected with friends and family members on social media. In 2024, digital literacy is critical for any American to possess, and technology's role in society will only grow larger as it continues to advance every day.

Although the average user doesn't need to be a computer wizard to wield a mouse and keyboard, mastering a few basic skills and remaining wary of common cyber threats can make anyone's online experience much easier and much safer. In 2022, the Quarryville Library, 357 Buck Road, began partnering with Millersville University to offer digital literacy programs to educate community members on common technology-related issues. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Millersville University liaison DJ Condon visits the library to offer workshops and to provide tips on how to steer clear of common internet scams.

"Unfortunately, anyone can be scammed. Especially senior citizens, who are the most victimized population," Condon said. "People who don't use computers frequently are more susceptible to common scammer tactics, and they can have a hard time recognizing what's real and what's a scam."

Condon often tells his visitors to watch out for emails that appear urgent or try to evoke an emotional response. Scammers frequently try to obtain victims' personal information by asking for credentials such usernames and passwords for bank accounts and social media profiles. If you receive an urgent request that claims to need your information to settle a serious matter, be sure to check the sender's email address and look for grammatical mistakes and punctuation errors. Many scammers try to emulate a legitimate source by using an email address that is nearly identical to one used by a real business or individual.

The partnership between the Quarryville Library and Millersville University is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor. The grant funding currently supports the program until the end of February; Condon will continue to offer his services until Thursday, Feb. 29. In addition to providing tips to avoid online scams, Condon assists visitors with deleting files, operating a smartphone and printing images with a computer. "Embracing social media and technology has the potential to open new doors," Condon said. "If someone is isolated socially, they can use messaging apps to stay connected with friends. The fear of scams and viruses makes a lot of people reluctant to use a tool that can be very helpful."

Although the grant has not been extended past February, the Quarryville Library will continue to assist its patrons who have questions about their computers. "(The grant) has been a fantastic resource that extends our mission," said Sharon Roche, Quarryville Library's program manager. "We're always here to help, but having DJ here on demand has been a great benefit to the community."