Seniors to Online: A digital odyssey in libraries

Seniors to Online: A digital odyssey in libraries focus on supporting older people with insufficient digital skills. Limited ability to work with technology can lead to loss of autonomy, more difficult communication with the environment and more complicated access to conventional services. As a key partner, it therefore uses public libraries, which are naturally perceived as open, trustworthy and easily accessible places of assistance.

Older people face a fast-changing digital environment, which for many is a barrier that is difficult to overcome. Without support when working with modern technologies, the possibilities of communication, orientation in public services and solutions to everyday situations are gradually narrowing. In smaller towns and municipalities, this situation is often even more complex, as there is a lack of a stable offer of personal and long-term assistance.

The project Seniors to Online: A digital odyssey in libraries responds to this situation by involving libraries as places where seniors can receive support in a natural and non-violent way. Libraries are expanding their services with assistance in digital skills and creating a space where it is possible to learn without fear of mistakes or misunderstandings. Seniors get acquainted with the use of smart devices, discover the possibilities of the Internet for communication, information retrieval and practical tasks, and gradually build confidence when working with technologies.

How it works in practice

The project is based on a personal approach and continuous support. In libraries, seniors are offered individual consultations with trained librarians and librarians, who explain to them the operation of smartphones and tablets and help to solve specific questions. 

At the same time, many libraries organise training courses, the form and pace of which correspond to the local conditions and needs of the participants. The project also includes the possibility of renting smart devices with a data SIM card and the use of supporting materials that allow seniors to continue learning outside the library.

Flexibility is an important principle of the project. Each participating library adapts the service according to its capacity and knowledge of the local community, which has proven itself both in large cities and in smaller municipalities.

Implementing the project

The project is implemented by the Association of Libraries of the Czech Republic in cooperation with the Vodafone Foundation as part of the Digital Odyssey project, Elpida and Moudrá Sovička z.s.   

Elpida ensures the development of lecturing skills with a focus on working with seniors, while Moudrá Sovička focuses on technological education in the field of smartphones and tablets.

Results and impact

Since 2022, the project has made a significant contribution to strengthening the digital skills of older people. The participating libraries provided more than 3,800 individual consultations and around 6 600 participants attended the training. In 2025/26, 70 libraries from all over the Czech Republic are involved in the Digital Odyssey.

The project gives seniors greater autonomy and certainty in the use of technology, while libraries strengthen their role as community and educational centers.

Why this is good practice

The Seniors to Online: A digital odyssey in libraries project shows that the promotion of digital skills can be effectively developed through an already existing network of institutions that have public trust. The project is designed to be long-term, sustainable, and open to local needs. It is the connection of technology with human approach and knowledge of the local environment that proves to be essential for successful work with seniors.

Portability

The project concept is also easy to use in other libraries or other community institutions. It also draws inspiration from abroad, for example from the Netherlands, where libraries have a firmly anchored role in digital support for the population. The digital odyssey can serve as an inspirational example even in an international context.

Feedback from a participant

‘Our dear friends, thank you very much for the computer literacy training that took place in the library in Letovice 30. 5. 2024. I was really looking forward to it and it was even better. You're really good. You are improving our quality of life. We are so glad to have you, the librarians, and the libraries. You are very important to us. Fact.’ 

- course participant Zdena C.