Libraries Supporting Job Seekers
Mary Moran Roseville Library, Ramsey County LibraryJennifer Peterson WebJunctionMLA Annual, October 2011
• Project Compass Overview• The Library, the Workforce and 21st Century Skills• Pathways to Workforce Recovery
8:00–9:00oCore ServicesoPersonal Financial Skills
1:30–2:30oJob Seekers
3:30–4:30oSmall Business
• Workforce Resources on WebJunction
Agenda
Project Compass is a partnership between WebJunction and the State Library of North Carolina.
It is funded by a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Project Compass: Libraries lead the workforce for the 21st Century
Project Compass Year One
• Survey of patron needs and library responses
• Summits with state agency staff (4 f2f, 1 online)
• Launch “Workforce Resources” community of practice on WebJunction
Libraries provide direction in tough times
Project Compass Year Two
•Face-to-face workshops in areas with highest unemployment/highest need
•Other state and regional library conferences
•Online programming and curriculum
•Ongoing resource sharing on WebJunction
Libraries lead the workforce for the 21st Century
The Library, the Workforce and the 21st Century
Project Compass
What are “21st century skills”?
21st century skills for the workforce
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Communication &
Collaboration Technology Literacy,
Media Literacy Flexibility & Adaptability
Social & Cross-cultural Skills Creative Thinking &
Innovation Productivity &
Accountability Teamwork Global Awareness
What’s so new?
Shifting nature of the workforce
It’s a “globally interconnected information economy.”
Lifelong learning
“Lifelong learning is not an option anymore; it’s a necessity!
SMART is the new RICH.”
(Bernie Trilling, 21st Century Skills)
It’s not about what to learn.
It’s about HOW to learn.
What does it mean to be a 21st century library?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
20TH CENTURY LIBRARY 21st CENTURY LIBRARYPrimarily content driven Audience and content drivenMostly tangible objects Tangible and digital objectsOne-way Multi-directionalFocus on presentation and display
Focus on audience engagement, experiences
Acts independently Acts in highly collaborative partnerships
Located in community Embedded in community Learning outcomes assumed,
implied Learning outcomes purposeful
They need the 21st century library.
56 Things
you (your library) can do for workforce renewal
Project Compass
to build programs for job seekers
Offer workshops on resume-writing
Create handouts about library services for job seekers
Start a job club
Offer library meeting rooms to local workforce agencies.
Create an online job center
Bookmark popular job search sites on
your public computers
Feature the best of your collection for job seekers in a display or
on your website.
Offer 1-on-1 interview tutoring
Introduction to Project Compass Pathways
A checklist of actions to help the workforce
Check what your library has already done
Circle where you would like to focus next
Find resources to help take the next steps
a Pathway is…
4 Pathways
Core Services
Job Seekers
Small Business
Personal Finance
5Sections
Disc
over
y &
As
sess
men
t
Colle
ction
s
Trai
ning
&
Prog
ram
min
g
Colla
bora
tion
Com
mun
icati
on
Yes but need more
Job Seekers Pathway
Remember that these actions are inter-
connected with all the other approaches
Guiding question
Resources for each action
Job Seekers Pathway
Understanding needs of unemployed workers
Connecting job seekers to resources
Providing programs and training
Building partnerships with workforce
development agencies
Why ? Job seekers are still relying on their public library for this support.
Job Seekers Pathway
Use the Resources to help you take action.
Go to the online version to explore what others have
done.
MELSA Jobs & Small Business Task Force
• Collaborate with community partners• Strive for seamless entry system• Where every door is the right door
• Task Force Recommendations: http://www.melsa.org/melsa/index.cfm/library-staff/teams/task-forces/jobs-and-small-business-task-force/
• Resources: http://www.melsa.org/melsa/index.cfm/resources/job-and-small-business-resources/small-business-resources/
Changes and challenges in the job market
• The job market has changed radically in the last few years
• Libraries are doing more with fewer resources• Many job seekers are re-entering the job market
without recent job hunting experience, and must develop or enhance their skills
• Only 20-25% of job seekers are eligible for most Workforce Center services, and Centers are not open evenings and weekends
• Internet and computer access is essential for job seekers
Job seeker services in the community
• In 2009, MELSA libraries offering job seeker classes included Hennepin County Library and St. Paul Public Library
• Job seeker classes are also available at:– Workforce Centers– Science Museum Computer Education Center– Goodwill/Easter Seals– other community based organizations
Job seeker services at Ramsey County Library
• RCL job seeker programs began as an outgrowth of digital literacy classes
• First RCL job seeker classes were offered in the fall of 2009
• RCL offers librarian-created classes, as well as partnering with GWES and Workforce Solutions
• In the last 2 years, RCL has offered 47 classes and has had 281 participants
MELSA JSB Task Force
• MELSA Jobs and Small Business Task Force was created in 2010
• What is the JSB doing?– Funds the JobNow database for all MELSA libraries– Explores partnerships and collaborative opportunities with
CBOs including SCORE, NDC, WomenVenture, GMWC, and many others
– Funds (and helped create) technology classes presented by the Science Museum at MELSA libraries
– Promotes library programs and services for job seekers and small business
What libraries can offer job seekers…
• Internet and computer access• Help in achieving digital literacy• Print and online resources to help with
company and other research, resumes, job applications, interviews, and more
• Expert assistance finding and using these resources
• Meeting space for groups• What other ideas can you share?
Comparing Libraries and Workforce Centers
• Twin Cities Public Libraries– 100+ locations– 4,736.5 open hours per week– 2,445 public computers
• Metro Area Workforce Centers– 13 locations– 619 open hours per week– 284 public computers
How libraries can support job seekers
• Staff awareness of available resources, at the library and in the community
• Staff training on using these resources• Training for the public on using library resources,
and digital literacy• Offering a safe, friendly environment to work on
job search activities• Assistance with other issues, like unemployment
insurance, financial problems, etc.• Providing appropriate referrals
Getting started with job seeker programs
• Determine what programs are appropriate, based on available resources at your library
• Work with community groups and government agencies to promote, develop and present job seeker programs
• Build strong relationships with partners• Library staff training and awareness is critical• Support from library management is essential
Whatever you do, let everyone know about it.
Partner Power
Partnerships are essential in lean times.
Who are your potential partners?
Working with workforce agencies
• Build on existing relationships
• Start the conversation• Explore possibilities• Be patient and persistent
to build community connections
Have a breakfast for the Chamber of Commerce or local politicians to let them know what you are doing.
Learn about local social service agencies, their hours and what they do.
Get your library board
involved!
Create a Social
Services bulletin board
with brochures &flyers from
local agencies
Ask your Workforce Board where you can "fill in the gaps" so you aren't duplicating
already-successful efforts.
Recruit retirees for resume evaluation, interview help and computer tutoring.
Bring in reps from the local
community college to offer student loan workshops
Create a “Help for Hard Times” flyer with community information
Select circled areas on pathways for focused actions
Identify relevant strategies, tools, partners, communication plans, etc.
Get a better idea of what success looks like
Your Action Plan
Workforce Resources on
WebJunction
WebJunction.org
webjunction.org/workforce-resources
See Member Center for help with: setting up an account,posting to discussions, creating documents.
You can tweet to this hashtag!
See also archive of these tweets
Key Resources
Digital version of each pathway with live links to all resources
All workshop curriculum materials and workbooks Free to download and repurpose
Links to upcoming and archived webinars related to workforce recovery
Content of two online workshops The hashtag! #libs4jobs
Growing Workforce Resources
National community continues to contribute to: Resources Templates Questions/Answers Webinars Twitter #libs4jobs
No contribution or question is too small…all are welcome!
This means YOU!
WebJunction-Minnesota
Free courses made available to you through the sponsorship of Minnesota State Library
Services in collaboration with Minitex.
Thank you!