Rural Resources Partnership An Employment Resource Centre in every village George 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, 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 Princeton Innerkip 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 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 Females most likely <25 and 25-40