Rural Resources Partnership

An Employment Resource Centre

in every villageGeorge Stock

Oxford County Library

For OLA Super Conference 2004

Oxford County

• . Harrington

HRDC (in transition to HRSD) ERC

Oxford County Library

18 branches:• one town

Ingersoll population 11,000

• 17 villages

populations 2,500 to 109

• floor space

12,000 to 370 square feet

Rural Resources Partnership

• Since 1998• Funded by Human Resources Development Canada (to

be Department of Human Resources and Skills Development)

• Use library branches as channels for government information delivery

• 2 components: – technology outreach: group training to support web-based

employment resources– community outreach through branches

Role of Library

Information and Resources and Support

-not counselling or advice

Information and Resources

Internet for patrons to access job banks and other on-line job-finding resources and apply on-line

Information and Resources

Computers, printers and photocopiers

for patrons to develop resumes and cover letters

Information and Resources

Fax machines for patrons to send applications

Information and Resources

Forms and publications for distribution

Information and Resources

Books for information and inspiration

Information and Resources

Referral to local programs and services

Support

Job Seeking Resources Portal

Training Promotes Internet Use

• Net a Job

• Career Horizons

• Applying On-Line

- in partnership with employment service providers (e.g., job finding club)

Job Seekers’ Corners

• Enhance visibility

• Create a starting point

PrincetonInnerkip

Tavistock

Staff Training

• ongoing• essential

Promotion

• bulk mail flyer

• fall fair displays

• in-library displays

Pamphlets

Benefits to Community

• Access to job finding resources close to home

• Library usually the only public access to computer/internet, sometimes the only fax/photocopy service available in small communities

• Familiar “non-government” environment, personalized customer service

• Children and other family members are made welcome

• Non-traditional hours: evenings and Saturdays

Benefits to Library

• Funding for staffing, training and promotion

• Enhanced sense of library’s role in community

• New users attracted to library, including non-

traditional populations

• Increased use of services already offered

Use of Library for Employment Purposes

Survey of library users - Spring, 2003

Survey of library users

• 747 responses / 593 separate users

• Over 10 % reported some form of employment activity

(7 % checked job opportunities; 3 % prepared resume

or cover letter; 3 % sent job application)

• Around 50 % used jobs@ocl.net web site

Who uses employment information?

• 32% were unemployed

• 27% were employed but seeking different job

• 21% were employed but seeking extra work

• 8% were returning to work after long absence

Who uses employment information?

• 1/3 of job seekers were males but only 1/5 of

all library patrons were males

• Male job seekers most likely age 40-55

• Females most likely <25 and 25-40