ARSL: Libraries and Workforce Recovery
Attachements include session slides, resources handout (also below) and session attendee answers (also below).
Libraries and Workforce Recovery
Presented at the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Confernece
Denver 2010
Workforce Resources
A growing collection of resources and discussions for libraries serving growing patron workforce development needs. Includes topics related to: partnerships and collaboration, grants and funding, E-government resources, programs and training for job seekers, and ways to build awareness of increased demand on libraries.
Twitter hashtag: #libs4jobs and Archive of tweets: http://bit.ly/cpuPyL
Project Compass
Through a 2009 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), WebJunction and the State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) launched Project Compass, a one-year initiative to work with state libraries in support of public libraries’ efforts to meet the urgent and growing needs of the unemployed. This work has resulted in a rich collection of material on Workforce Resources. The partnership and the efforts continue through the IMLS award of a follow-on grant, which will bring training workshops to library staff in the areas of highest unemployment, as well as augmenting the online resources available to the wider library community.
Webinar Archives on Libraries and Economic Recovery
A list of recent webinar archives related to libraries and library services in economic tough times.
Web Resources for Job Seekers
Links to state and local library web resource collections, organized by state. Please help build this list!
Library Partnerships with Workforce Agencies
The Department of Labor (DOL) and other workforce agencies can be potent partners for libraries who are in the front line of response to unemployed patrons.
Data Discovery: Finding Unemployment Statistics
Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries
Florida Tax Payer Return on Investment Study
North Carolina – Job Search Workshops
Florida – E-Government Resources and Training
The Pima County Public Library (PCPL) and Pima County ONESTOP Career Centers Partnership
Colorado – Webinar series on Libraries and Economic Development
New Jersey – Libraries Transform Lives
Colorado – Big Hairy Audacious Goal (a Colorado Association of Libraries Advocacy Initiative)
Arapahoe Library District
Online Resources for Supporting Job Seekers
- CareerOneStop http://www.careeronestop.org/
- O*NET System http://online.onetcenter.org/
- myskills, myFuture http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org/
Comparison of subscription based job tools and these free, federally hosted sites
Comparison created by Kathleen Rainwater of online resources available via Careeronestop.org, Optimal Resume, Career Transitions and Learning Express.
DOL/ETA webinars on WebJunction
- Helping Job Seekers: Using Electronic Tools and Federal Resources
- mySkills, myFuture: A New Tool for Job Seekers
Bud Werner Memorial Library
Steamboat Springs, CO
Community and Library Services Analysis Tools
Created by Kitty Yancheff of the Humboldt County Library in Eureka, CA to assess community and library services to triage social service needs of patrons.
Presenters
Shelley Walchak
Senior Consultant
Colorado State Library
walchak_s@cde.state.co.us
Jennifer Peterson
Community Manager
WebJunction
petersoj@oclc.org
Kathleen Rainwater
Business Librarian
Arapahoe Library District
krainwater@ALD.lib.co.us
Jackie Kuusinen
Associate Reference Librarian
Bud Werner Memorial Library
jkuusinen@steamboatlibrary.org
Session attendees shared their responses to these questions:
How have you responded to the increase in job related needs in your library?
Additional computers and space in library/website/collection
- Applied for and received a grant to replace and increase the number of public computers for people to apply for jobs, apply for unemployment, etc.
- Provided a career center with 3 computers and free printing for job searching and applications. Also a bookcase full of reference books (how to write resumes, etc), local newspapers with job listings, and key websites to search.
- Additional PCs, workshops on resume writing, etc, BrainFuse, Jobnow and Learning Express online subscriptions.
- Post information on website on how the library can help with resume writing, cover letters, free internet access, etc.
- Purchased more business books
- Purchased small laptop for patrons to use with no time limit so they can work on resumes or online applications.
- Increased entrepreneurial and career development collections
- Added career database resource (Learning Express)
- Posting jobs on bulletin board
- Post flyers on service board
- Ellensburg Public Library received a grant for a mobile computer lab for rotation in Kittitas County. They intend to use it for teaching computer basics to job seekers.
- Received a grant to establish a computer lab for computer training and resume building.
Additional workshops, access and assistance
- Provide workshops and added laptops for in-house use
- Created employment presentations and posted to slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/elancolibrary/presentations
- Create a free “job packet” for patrons
- Open early (I think she said 7:00) so patrons can go on the state unemployment website before it gets too busy. Free faxing, photocopies for employment needs. Programs on resumes, how to interview, dress, etc. Brought more materials on the subject.
- Helping patrons fill out job applications and resumes
- One-on-one assistance with resumes and job applications
- Computer classes and One-one-one computer instruction
- Personally help people with resumes, etc.
- Get daily workforce area job openings
- Offered classes, beginning and advanced computer classes
- Print out job posting for patrons to take
- Offered ECIS career planning (Idaho e-Career Information System)
- Adjusted public computer policies to allow job applicants more time to work through applications.
- Increased support time to assist public computer users in online applications, resumes, and job searches
- Directing patrons to databases (eg. NC Live resources)
- Work bookmobile
- Always try to make connections between people
- Previously worked for the division of Workforce Development for Missouri, so help folks maneuver through registration on Workforce site, advice on resume development and liaison between library and career center.
- Series of workshops on job searching
- In a Jail library: We have packets made with a variety of resources for inmates preparing to b e released; this includes resume writing, job seeking, etc. We also offer inmates a temporary library card so they can have immediate access to the public library upon release. We partner with the county workforce department and programs in the jail.
- Partnering with workforce office, created a “job corner” in centralized branch with resume software etc. For over a year, that same branch offered a weekly “Job Network” support group meeting. It was cancelled in September 2010 due to low turnout.
- Assign a staff member an office or space specifically to assist patrons with job applications, unemployment, and resume building.
- Post job related info and events at library on Facebook
Partners
- State Library
- Collaborative training with library staff and Workforce Development Office
- One Stop Centers
- Employment Development Department
- Employment Security Commission
- County Office of Education
- Community College
- Chamber of Commerce
- Experience Works
- High School
- Having business owner volunteer to conduct interviews for those who haven’t gone through the process in years.
- Invite local colleges that do outreach to come and showcase classes and scholarships
- Faith-based organizations and social services
- CareerLink
- Attend job fair for teens; table of job search materials at regional career fair; help local Career Center select and update their books and DVDs.
- Tennessee State Business Development Center (TSBDC) and Chamber of Commerce: Monthly business learning, computer classes at the library, taught by TSBDC employees, publicized by Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce. TSBDC provided trainers, workstations with Skype and lots of resume forms. Chamber did publicity and provided free donuts. Library provided space, computers and free coffee.
What shoestring or non-existent budget suggestions can you share?
- Partner, partner , partner.
- When we figure out how to stretch staff time, I'll let you know :-)
- Welcome Senior Skills Training workers etc. (paid volunteers!) and put them to work expanding workforce development support services.
- One-Stop client volunteers in library
- Brochure with list of info and websites to help job seekers.
- Job seekers guide on website
- Job seeker section of library (bulletin board, job resources, designated computers) when possible
- Training tech-savvy teens to assist older adults learn computer basics. Benefits both teens (who need volunteer hours) and those tech-frustrated grown-ups.
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