Libraries Supporting Job Seekers Mary Moran Roseville Library, Ramsey County Library Jennifer Peterson WebJunction MLA Annual, October 2011

Project Compass Overview The Library, the Workforce and 21 st Century Skills Pathways to Workforce Recovery 8:00–9:00 o Core Services o Personal Financial Skills 1:30–2:30 o Job Seekers 3:30–4:30 o Small Business Workforce Resources on WebJunction Agenda

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

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

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

The Library, the Workforce and the 21 st Century

Project Compass What are “21 st century skills”?

21 st 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?

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

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

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

TH CENTURY LIBRARY21 st CENTURY LIBRARY Primarily content drivenAudience and content driven Mostly tangible objectsTangible and digital objects One-wayMulti-directional Focus on presentation and display Focus on audience engagement, experiences Acts independentlyActs in highly collaborative partnerships Located in communityEmbedded in community Learning outcomes assumed, implied Learning outcomes purposeful

They need the 21 st century library.

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

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

Introduction to Project Compass Pathways

 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  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 a Pathway is…

4 Pathways Core Services Job Seekers Small Business Personal Finance

5 Sections Discovery & Assessment Collections Training & Programming Collaboration Communication

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

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

Job Seekers Pathway Use the Resources to help you take action. Go to the online version to explore what others have done.

MELSA Jobs & Small Business Task Force Collaborate with community partners Strive for seamless entry system Where every door is the right door Task Force Recommendations: m/library-staff/teams/task- forces/jobs-and-small-business-task- force/ m/library-staff/teams/task- forces/jobs-and-small-business-task- force/ Resources: m/resources/job-and-small-business- resources/small-business-resources/ m/resources/job-and-small-business- resources/small-business-resources/

Changes and challenges in the job market The job market has changed radically in the last few years Libraries are doing more with fewer resources Many job seekers are re-entering the job market without recent job hunting experience, and must develop or enhance their skills Only 20-25% of job seekers are eligible for most Workforce Center services, and Centers are not open evenings and weekends Internet and computer access is essential for job seekers

Job seeker services in the community In 2009, MELSA libraries offering job seeker classes included Hennepin County Library and St. Paul Public Library Job seeker classes are also available at: – Workforce Centers – Science Museum Computer Education Center – Goodwill/Easter Seals – other community based organizations

Job seeker services at Ramsey County Library RCL job seeker programs began as an outgrowth of digital literacy classes First RCL job seeker classes were offered in the fall of 2009 RCL offers librarian-created classes, as well as partnering with GWES and Workforce Solutions In the last 2 years, RCL has offered 47 classes and has had 281 participants

MELSA JSB Task Force MELSA Jobs and Small Business Task Force was created in 2010 What is the JSB doing? – Funds the JobNow database for all MELSA libraries – Explores partnerships and collaborative opportunities with CBOs including SCORE, NDC, WomenVenture, GMWC, and many others – Funds (and helped create) technology classes presented by the Science Museum at MELSA libraries – Promotes library programs and services for job seekers and small business

What libraries can offer job seekers… Internet and computer access Help in achieving digital literacy Print and online resources to help with company and other research, resumes, job applications, interviews, and more Expert assistance finding and using these resources Meeting space for groups What other ideas can you share?

Comparing Libraries and Workforce Centers Twin Cities Public Libraries – 100+ locations – 4,736.5 open hours per week – 2,445 public computers Metro Area Workforce Centers – 13 locations – 619 open hours per week – 284 public computers

How libraries can support job seekers Staff awareness of available resources, at the library and in the community Staff training on using these resources Training for the public on using library resources, and digital literacy Offering a safe, friendly environment to work on job search activities Assistance with other issues, like unemployment insurance, financial problems, etc. Providing appropriate referrals

Getting started with job seeker programs Determine what programs are appropriate, based on available resources at your library Work with community groups and government agencies to promote, develop and present job seeker programs Build strong relationships with partners Library staff training and awareness is critical Support from library management is essential

Whatever you do, let everyone know about it.

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

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

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

 Select circled areas on pathways for focused actions  Identify relevant strategies, tools, partners, communication plans, etc.  Get a better idea of what success looks like  Select circled areas on pathways for focused actions  Identify relevant strategies, tools, partners, communication plans, etc.  Get a better idea of what success looks like Your Action Plan

Workforce Resources on WebJunction

WebJunction.org

webjunction.org/workforce-resources See Member Center for help with: setting up an account, posting to discussions, creating documents. You can tweet to this hashtag! See also archive of these tweets

Key Resources  Digital version of each pathway  with live links to all resources  All workshop curriculum materials and workbooks  Free to download and repurpose  Links to upcoming and archived webinars related to workforce recovery  Content of two online workshops  The hashtag! #libs4jobs

Growing Workforce Resources National community continues to contribute to:  Resources  Templates  Questions/Answers  Webinars  Twitter #libs4jobs No contribution or question is too small …all are welcome! This means YOU!

WebJunction-Minnesota Free courses made available to you through the sponsorship of Minnesota State Library Services in collaboration with Minitex.

Thank you!