A Year with Project Compass

1. A Year with Project Compass Libraries as Lifelinesto Economic Recovery A collaboration of WebJunction & the State Library of North CarolinaFunded by a grant from IMLS

2. The Compass Team • State Library of NC • Jennifer Pratt • Pam Jaskot • Raye Oldham • WebJunction • Chrystie Hill • Betha Gutsche • Jennifer Peterson • Kendra Morgan

3. Direction of Project Compass Project Compass Work with State Libraries to help public libraries address the needs of the workforce impacted by economic tough times

4. 3 key phases Project Compass • Research the needs • Convene summits • Create a community of practice 1. Research urgent patron needs related to unemployment and public library responses to those needs.

5. Phase 1: the needs Project Compass 30 million people used library computers or wifi for job helpin the past year photo by All_Utah_Libraries on Flickr

6. ? Question: In the last 12 months, have public libraries in your state reported an increased patron demand related to unemployment?

7. YES! Patron needs • Finding jobs (94.6%) • Resume & cover letter writing (96.4%) • Filing online application forms (98.1%) • Test preparation (91.1%) • Basic computer skills (98.1%)

8. ? Question: How would you rate the level of increased demand for public library services related to unemployment in your state?

9. Significant! Demand for library services • Job related web resources (75.9%) • Patron training for job related needs (74.1%) • Patron training for basic computer skills (70.4%) • Small business support (48.1%) • Staff Training (46.3%)

10. ? Question: How would you rate the level of increased demand for state library services in support of public libraries in your state?

11. Moderate Demand for State Library services • State-hosted web resources (33.3%) • Staff training: face-to-face (38.9%) • Staff training: online (37.0%) • Partnership with other agencies (31.5)

12. ? Question: What agencies have you partnered with to respond to the economic challenges in your state?

13. Partnerships • High • State gov’t employment agencies (64.7%) • Other state gov’t departments (60.8%) • Low • US gov’t employment agencies (9.8%) • Private career counseling services (3.9%)

14. Phase 2: the summits Project Compass • Research the needs • Convene summits • Create a community of practice 2. Convene 4 regional in-person summits and 1 online summit for state library representatives

15. 50 states + DC Libraries

16. Showcasing accomplishments Project Compass

17. Facilitating the flow Project Compass

18. Evolution of common themes Project Compass Staff training Patron training & resources DOL partnerships, state & local Support for entrepreneurs Augment the value of libraries

19. Action forward • New program ideas: • Strategies • Toolkits • Partnership opportunities • Motivation Project Compass

20. Idaho Commission for Libraries • Actions: past • Workforce development tools at public libraries • Career Information System (CIS) • IdahoWorks • Outcomes: • 2,000 people logged in to CIS in first 6.5 months • CIS subscriptions to continue at no cost • “This is a great website!” Project Compass

21. Idaho Commission for Libraries • Actions: forward • Broadband grant proposal (BTOP) • Increase connectivity • Upgrade public computers • Leverage partnerships • “Computer access at the libraries is key forthe sustainability of our rural communities.” • - Mike Field, Idaho Rural Partnership Project Compass

22. Montana State Library • Actions: past • Web-based resource guide • http://mymontanalibrary.org/employment/ • Partnership with DLI Workforce Services Division • 2-way training • State-wide periodical database purchase • Provides employment, education and business development resources • Equal (remote) access to all MT citizens

23. Montana State Library • Actions: forward • BTOP grant application • More computers, more hours, more availability • Mobile computer lab for the underserved Project Compass

24. Washington State Library Actions: past Hard Times Resource Guide “Every usertheir resource. Every resource its user. Save the time of the user.” http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/hardtimes/

25. Washington State Library • Actions: past and ongoing • LSTA grants to deliver job-related services • “Renew Washington” • Developing Peer Learning skills • Training on facilitating peer learning • Consultant Nancy White • Wiki: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/PeerLearningResources • Amplifying the value of the library • assist library communication efforts

26. Alberta & British Columbia Project Compass

27. Phase 3: online community Project Compass • Research the needs • Convene summits • Create a community of practice 3. Create an online community of practice around workforce recovery resources

28. Community of practice Project Compass “The community creates the social fabric of learning.”

29. Workforce Resources community Friendly URL: webjunction.org/workforce-resources

30. Twitter hashtag #libs4jobs Youcan tweet to this hashtag!

31. Betha Gutschegutscheb@oclc.org Project Compass webjunction.org/project-compass Workforce Resources webjunction.org/workforce-resources