LOOKING TO THE FUTURE — Paula Fogarty of the Grow with Google initiative speaks to representatives of area nonprofits during the first session of Wednesday’s events at the Mary H. Weir Public Library. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Local businesses, nonprofits and job seekers received some tips from the pros Wednesday, when it comes to using Google products and services to aid them in their efforts to grow.

A series of “Grow with Google” workshops was held at the Mary H. Weir Public Library, focusing on areas such as introductions to e-mail, the Google Docs platform, establishing an online presence and better reaching customers online.

“We’re really taking a lot of the tools Google already has, and making sure we train people across America,” Beanca Nicholson of the Grow with Google initiative said.

Grow with Google is in the midst of a tour of the country, holding workshops in every state and working with libraries in each community. Following the workshops, local partners, such as the Mary H. Weir Public Library, will be provided with toolkits in order to continue the training.

“Libraries have become the epicenter of where people go to get these digital skills,” Nicholson said.

Rik Rekowski, director of the Mary H. Weir Public Library, noted the changes in library services during the years, including consortium agreements allowing the sharing of digital materials and other computer services in addition to its traditional programs.

“We need skills training, not just for our staff, but our community,” Rekowski said.

Approximately 150 area residents had registered to take part in some portion of Wednesday’s programs.

In addition to the workshops, Google representatives were available at the library for one-on-one sessions.

West Virginia is the 18th state Grow with Google has visited this year.

“We pick areas that are representative of the states,” Nicholson said, explaining their selection of Weirton. “We thought it was a great snapshot of West Virginia.”

This is the second time Grow with Google has been in West Virginia. The program held an event in Charleston in 2018, and on Friday it will be in Huntington. Nicholson explained Google works directly with the communities selected to ensure the most beneficial programs are presented.

In addition, beginning Monday, libraries across West Virginia will be able to apply for funds to kickstart or grow their own digital skills programming through a partnership with the American Library Association.