Libraries at the Front Lines of Workforce Recovery Jennifer Peterson, WebJunction PaLA Annual, October 2011

1. Libraries at the Front Lines ofWorkforce Recovery • Jennifer Peterson, WebJunction • PaLA Annual, October 2011

2. Agenda • Project Compass Overview • The Library, the Workforce and 21st Century Skills • Pathways to Workforce Recovery • Core Services • Job Seekers • Break 4:15-4:30 • Small Business • Personal Financial Skills • Workforce Resources on WebJunction

3. Project Compass: Libraries lead the workforce for the 21st Century 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).

4. Project Compass Year One Libraries provide direction in tough times • Survey of patron needs and library responses • Summits with state agency staff (4 f2f, 1 online) • Launch “Workforce Resources” community of practice on WebJunction

5. Project Compass Year Two Libraries lead the workforce for the 21st Century • 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

6. The Library, the Workforce and the 21st Century

7. Project Compass What are “21st century skills”?

8. 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?

9. Shifting nature of the workforce It’s a “globally interconnected information economy.”

10. Lifelong learning “Lifelong learning is not an option anymore; it’s a necessity! SMART is the new RICH.” (Bernie Trilling, 21st Century Skills)

11. It’s not about what to learn. It’s about HOW to learn.

12. What does it mean to be a 21st century library?

13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

14. They need the 21st century library.

15. Project Compass 56 Things you (your library) can do for workforce renewal

16. to support families Schedule job seeker workshops to coincide with storytimes Offer just-for-fun family programming on Friday or Saturday nights to help those struggling financially to spend time together as a family. Start a "coupon exchange club" to help families save money. Provide “tough times” info on help with bill paying, food pantry locations, emergency housing, etc. Place a computer in the children’s area for parents to use for job-seeking Offer workshops on how to live on a restricted income Invite Ag. Extension to do a workshop on home vegetable gardening or raising chickens in the backyard. Enlist a mental health professional to provide pro bono workshops on dealing with the stress of job loss.

17. Introduction to Project Compass Pathways

18. a Pathway is… • 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

19. 4Pathways Core Services Job Seekers Small Business Personal Finance

20. 5Sections Discovery & Assessment Communication Collections Training & Programming Collaboration

21. Job Seekers Pathway Guiding question Remember that these actions are inter-connected with all the other approaches Resources for each action Yes but need more

22. Connecting with community agencies • Providing basic computer skills training • Building partnerships • Marketing and communicating library services Core Services Pathway Why ? People turn to the library to get connected with social services and to acquire basic skills and knowledge.

23. Job center with easy access to information Longer time limits on computers Convenient hours for programs A workforce-friendly library

24. to create a friendly place Free print copies for job seekers Offer one free copy of resume on nice resume paper. Remove time limits for computer use for job seekers Offer 5 free resume faxes per week! Have a flexible phone policy for those in need. Open early 1-2 days/week for job seekers only. Offer free coffee during job center hours. Can’t afford coffee? Ask a local bank or business to sponsor it! Chat daily with a job-seeker. Ask what they’re doing and what they need.

25. Social services triage: What can the library do? Who to refer to? How to partner to augment services? A connection to community services

26. Help in PA

27. PA Libraries in Action Carl Long Reading Public Library Christine Goch Cambria County Library Kathee Rhode Lower Macungie Library Cindy ParkerFriends Memorial Public Library Jamie Brambley Fulton County Library

28. Providing Public Access to Computers

29. Providing Basic Computer Skills Classes

30. PA Libraries in Action Carl Long Reading Public Library Christine Goch Cambria County Library Kathee Rhode Lower Macungie Library Cindy ParkerFriends Memorial Public Library Jamie Brambley Fulton County Library

31. Cambria County Library Links to Core Services

33. Understanding needs of unemployed workers • Connecting job seekers to resources • Providing programs and training • Building partnerships with workforce development agencies Job Seekers Pathway Why ? Job seekers are still relying on their public library for this support.

34. to build programs for job seekers Bookmark popular job search sites on your public computers Create handouts about library services for job seekers Feature the best of your collection for job seekers in a display or on your website. Create an online job center Offer library meeting rooms to local workforce agencies. Offer workshops on resume-writing Offer 1-on-1 interview tutoring Start a job club

35. PA Libraries in Action Carl Long Reading Public Library Christine Goch Cambria County Library Kathee Rhode Lower Macungie Library Cindy ParkerFriends Memorial Public Library Jamie Brambley Fulton County Library

36. Career Services via Lower Macungie Library

37. Host a Job Fair!

38. Whatever you do, let everyone know about it.

39. Action: Start a job club at your library

40. Partner Power Partnerships are essential in lean times. Who are your potential partners?

41. Build on existing relationships Start the conversation Explore possibilities Be patient and persistent Working with workforce agencies

42. 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. Create a Social Services bulletin board with brochures &flyers from local agencies Recruit retirees for resume evaluation, interview help and computer tutoring. Create a “Help for Hard Times” flyer with community information Bring in reps from the local community college to offer student loan workshops Get your library board involved! Ask your Workforce Board where you can "fill in the gaps" so you aren't duplicating already-successful efforts.

43. Resume workshop Find volunteersin your community Partner for specific programs

44. BREAK 

45. Agenda • Project Compass Overview • The Library, the Workforce and 21st Century Skills • Pathways to Workforce Recovery • Core Services • Job Seekers • Break 4:15-4:30 • Small Business • Personal Financial Skills • Workforce Resources on WebJunction

46. MoreProject Compass Pathways

47. Supporting Small Business and Entrepreneurs

48. 4Pathways Core Services Job Seekers Small Business Personal Finance

49. Understanding how small business builds local economies • Connecting patrons with resources for small business • Providing training and programs to support small businesses Small Business Pathway Why ? Starting new or sustaining existing local business creates jobs and stimulates the local economy.

50. Pennsylvania Open for Business