5 Special Ways To Make Digital Literacy Part of Your Back-to-School Night In The Library!

As families walk through your library doors for back-to-school night, we have a golden opportunity to introduce them to the essential digital literacy skills their children need to thrive in today's world and show them how the library and school supports them. 

Back-to-school events like Open House, Curriculum Night, and other special events, are the perfect time to share information and tools, spark conversations, and invite families and caregivers to be active partners in digital learning. 

Here are 5 ways to make digital literacy part of your back-to-school night in the library by transforming your library into a welcoming and informative space with hands-on, self-guided stations. 

1. Present a short slideshow highlighting Digital Literacy for Families. 

Set up a laptop or tablet looping a short, family-friendly slideshow covering digital literacy basics: technology basics, online safety, digital learning, and more.  

You will find this Google Slide presentation here to share with families. You can also push a copy here.

2. Use the Digital Literacy for Future Ready Families choice board to spark conversations with families and give them a place to go at home with their children too. 

With this choice board, you can highlight the three main areas of resources from AT&T, the Public Library Association, Common Sense Media, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Walk families through how this choice board works by clicking on the different text boxes and images to show them the resources.  

You will find the choice board here to share with families.  You can also push a copy here. 

3. Showcase The Achievery on the big screen during your events. 

The Achievery is such a special resource for all families to learn about and back-to-school events is the perfect time to show families all of the amazing ways they can bring learning to life at home with this free site. 

Have families scan this QR code or go to futureready.link/achievery to access The Achievery together. Encourage them to explore short, engaging lessons they can enjoy with their child. You can even have a few questions they need to answer for a special giveaway or raffle. 

4. Digital Parenting Station 

Offer access to the Is Your Child Ready? quiz and other helpful resources from AT&T’s Digital Parenting collection.

Visit screenready.att.com/digital-parenting and share this with families through the choice board above too.  

5. Take-Home Resources Table

Place stacks of family-friendly materials, Digital Literacy Brochures and Digital Literacy Bookmarks, at each station so visitors can grab and go. I love giving a stack of each to my teachers to have in their classrooms, and one for the elementary and secondary office, for back-to-school night too. 

Find the Digital Literacy Brochure here in Canva and the Digital Literacy Bookmark here in Canva too. 

 

As you get ready for this special event, just remember to: 

• Keep it brief. Families are on the move—stick to short slideshows or clear, one-page handouts.
• Use QR codes to make access easy. Add them to flyers and bookmarks so families can explore later.
• Make it personal. Greet visitors, answer questions, and explain how the library supports digital citizenship and safe technology use.
• Invite them back. Promote upcoming events like family tech nights, workshops, or your Digital Navigators program...more on this coming soon, friends! 

 

Your library isn’t just about books—it’s a hub for digital citizenship, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Let families know you're here to support them every step of the way.