Libraries and Workforce Recovery Association for Rural and Small Libraries Denver 2010

Presenters Shelley Walchak Senior Consultant Colorado State Library Jennifer Peterson Community Manager WebJunction Kathleen Rainwater Business Librarian Arapahoe Library District Jackie Kuusinen Associate Reference Librarian Bud Werner Memorial Library

What is the current national unemployment rate? 9.6% Bonus question: Do you know your state’s rate? Highest=Nevada 14.4 %

YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Data Discovery: Finding Unemployment Statistics National Unemployment Data

More than what % of new jobs are created in the small business sector? 75% Making Cities Stronger, ULC, 1/2007

How many public libraries are there nationwide? 9,221 (16,604 buildings) What % of those are in rural communities? 77.8% in areas serving < 25,000 and ALA, A Perfect Storm BrewingALA, A Perfect Storm Brewing

Libraries as Lifelines to Economic Recovery A collaboration of WebJunction & the State Library of North Carolina Funded by a grant from IMLS A Year with Project Compass

Questions for Today How have you responded to this increase in job related needs in your library? Who have you partnered with in your community to respond? Business, social service agencies, churches, chamber of commerce? What shoestring or non-existent budget suggestions?

Patron Needs 30 million people used library computers or wifi for job help in the past year photo by All_Utah_Libraries on Flickr

Your Top Needs 1.Staff training 2.Patron training & resources 3.DOL partnerships, state & local 4.Support for entrepreneurs 5.Augmenting the value of libraries

Showcasing accomplishments

Staff Training North Carolina – Job Search Workshops

Florida – E-Government Resources and Training Pasco County Library System Offer e-gov training to the public Collected resources online Partner with other agencies including One-Stop Career Centers Patron training & resources

Arizona – Job Help Program The Pima County Public Library (PCPL) and Pima County ONESTOP Career Centers formed a partnership to create programs and identify technology-based solutions to meet the needs of the community’s growing displaced worker population. Partnerships

Support for entrepreneurs How to Make Your Library Entrepreneur-Friendly Turning Your Databases into Business for Your Customers Going to Your Customer - Outreach and Strategic Partnerships Colorado – Webinar series on Libraries and Economic Development Suzanne Kaller, Arapahoe Library, Business Expo

Tell Us Your Story Campaign Snapshot: One Day in the Life of New Jersey Libraries Augmenting the value New Jersey – Libraries Transform Lives Colorado – Big Hairy Audacious Goal Colorado Association of Libraries Advocacy Initiative Non-library spokespeople Describing the value of public libraries Easily reproducible

Workforce Resources community webjunction.org/workforce-resources

You can tweet to this hashtag! Twitter hashtag #libs4jobs Archive of tweets:

Project Compass Continues! A new IMLS “follow-on” grant the partnership continues! Grant funding Partners

Stay Tuned

Arapahoe Library District locations and Bookmobile stops Kathleen Rainwater Business Librarian, Arapahoe Library District Arapahoe Library District Databases and Find a Great Job a Great Job

Free Web tools CareerOneStop O*NET System myskills, myFuture Book a librarian Hidden job market and social tools Tools for small businesses

Steamboat Springs, Colorado Jackie Kuusinen Associate Reference Librarian Bud Werner Memorial Library Photo Courtesy of Jason Edinburg Holding a Resume Workshop Event at your Library

Take Action! What’s next? What are the barriers to my actions? With these barriers in mind, what one thing can I do? What will success look like? (fantasy outcome...dare to dream!)

Workforce Resources Handout and Slides are available on WebJunction: webjunction.org/workforce-resources