Participants in the Project Compass summits were asked to prepare a brief showcase of what their state library or libraries in their state had accomplished in response to patron needs in the economic downturn.
The links to the showcases are listed in alphabetical order by state.
Arizona Job Help at Your Library
Overview of Arizona's application for BTOP stimulus grant fundings (Round 2)
Arkansas Libraries: Working to RAISE Employment
Description of ASL's new program, Resource Assistance in Seeking Employment (RAISE), and overview of other state e-resources for job seekers and small businesses
California Workforce Recovery Efforts
Overview of grant-funded 2010-11 Literacy and Workforce Development Initiative
Connecticut Training and Resource Support for Libraries
Efforts by the Connecticut State Library to assist libraries coping with high unemployment through a resources website and staff training programs.
Colorado Libraries Providing Direction in Tough Times (presented at Summit 2)
Libraries Providing Direction in Tough Times (presented at Online Summit)
Overview of a number of programs happening in Colorado, including "E-Train," job search and small business help, and advocacy with "economic gardening"
Delaware's Community Resource Exchange Program
In 2008, Delaware Libraries facilitated an open house to bring libraries, non-profits and other social service agencies together in response to the down-turning economy.
Florida Libraries Collaborating with One-Stop Career Centers
Summary of project to help patrons use e-government resources to find and apply for jobs.
Georgia’s Workforce Recovery Efforts: State and Local
Describes libraries involvement in GA's Work Ready initiative, a partnership between state government and state chamber of commerce to improve the job training and marketability of Georgia’s workforce.
Partnering for Workforce Development in Idaho
Workforce development tools at Idaho public libraries and BTOP grant proposal overview and budget.
Illinois State Library and the Digital Divide
How Illinois libraries are working to address the digital divide that separates the technology "haves" from the "have nots"
Tools and Resources for Unemployed in Indiana
The state library partnered with the Dept of Workforce Development, upgraded a key database, and raised technology standards for Indiana libraries.
Helping Iowa Libraries Help Job Seekers
Describes the state library's partnership with Iowa Workforce Development agency, "Recession Relief" webinar, and future plans
Kentucky Public Libraries Helping Communities During Difficult Times
Using grant funds to expand and update computers and technology training to help unemployed and underemployed Kentuckians.
Louisiana Libraries Connecting People to Their Potential
How BTOP Round 1 funds are being used to provide laptops and access to online training and resources
Maine Answers Tough Times
The Maine State Library responds to tough times with job resources and a pilot partnership with the Center for Workforce Research & Information (CWRI).
Maryland Libraries: Changing Lives
The Maryland library community responds to the current economic environment with resources and training for the workforce.
Massachusetts Library Services for Job Seekers
Libraries in Massachusetts prepare residents to meet economic challenges through web resources, patron training and partnerships with non-library agencies.
Library of Michigan Response to Workforce Needs
The Michigan eLibrary links libraries and residents to a range of high-quality databases and gateways to local websites.
Minnesota State Library Services Partnering to Close the Digital Divide: Initiatives to raise awareness of digital literacy needs, partnering to provide resources and training and MELSA Jobs and Small Business Task Force: Program to create seamless access to job-seeking resources across 8 library systems in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area
Mississippi Library Commission
Describes the tools and services the state library provides to the local libraries of Mississippi to support job seekers.
Missouri State Library Help for Tough Times
Describes the tools and services the state library provides to the local libraries of Missouri to support job seekers.
Montana State Library Project Compass Snapshot: Overview of statewide database purchase, computer training, e-resources, and partnerships
New Jersey Libraries Transform Lives
New Jersey State Library helps libraries create awareness and support community needs in economic tough times.
New Mexico- Fast Forward New Mexico: Connecting You to a World of Opportunities
Described application of BTOP funds to provide in-person and self-paced training, plus train-the-trainer program
Workforce Collaborations in New York Libraries
New York State libraries partner with workforce development agencies and One Stop Centers to help job seekers.
State Library of North Carolina Job Search Workshops
Describes the series of free one-day workshops designed to help libraries support job seekers.
North Dakota Resource Sharing Program
How North Dakota is extending the reach of its job and information search resources and career skills training resources to libraries across the state.
Ohio Finding Help in Tough Times
Initiatives from the State Library of Ohio and Job Help Centers, Columbus Metropolitan Library.
Oklahoma Community Outreach through Technology
Oklahoma libraries may benefit from BTOP proposal for better broadband access and computer hubs.
Pennsylvania Libraries Offer Relief
The Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries seek to assist library staff and patrons in the economic downturn.
Helping Rhode Islanders Get Back to Work
In a small state, The Office of Library & Information Services forms partnerships to provide relief from crises, both the economy and the flooding.
South Carolina Workforce Development Task Force
Describes an LSTA-funded project to assist unemployed South Carolinian adults and those in transition develop and enhance their workforce skills and find jobs.
Helping South Dakota/Siouxland Libraries: Resources for Job Seekers
Review of the outcomes, challenges faced, and future plans for providing training and programs for job seekers.
Tennessee Public Libraries: A Critical Resource for Job Seekers
Tennessee libraries provide training and support and tools to support job seekers, and use publicity and partnering to build awareness.
Texas Libraries: Responding to the Needs of Job Seekers Description of Texas Workskills Development in Libraries initiative, the South Texas Library System Workforce Project, and state library programs
Utah's GPS for the Future
Utah State Library's response to patrons and their library's needs in the economic downturn
Vermont Libraries in Challenging Times
In challenging times, Vermont Department of Libraries supports the state's libraries with workshops for finding jobs and starting a business.
Hard Times in Washington Libraries
How Washington libraries have responded to needs when usage is up and budgets are down.
JOBS Initiative for Wisconsin Public Libraries
Describes Wisconsin's initiative to help regional systems respond quickly with financial support for the efforts of their member libraries as they scrambled to respond to their local employment crisis.
Wyoming State Library Project Compass Showcase
Brief description of Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Workforce Alliance
