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

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Colle

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Trai

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Prog

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Colla

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Com

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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!