Project Compass Online: Libraries at the Core of Workforce Recovery

Today’s Kick-off  Get acquainted with:  your cohort  Project Compass  the workshop agenda  Skills for the 21 st century workforce  32 things you (your library) can do  Pathways to workforce recovery

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 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

Workshop Agenda 4-weeks of active facilitation Officially starts today! Content:  Read articles  Watch videos/ webinar archives  Discover “pathways” to services  Join in discussions with your peers  Determine an action you plan to take Networking opportunity! Be part of the conversation.

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?

What skills do you need to use this 20 th century piece of technology?

 Reading  Critical Thinking  Strong Forearms

What skills do you need to use this 21 st century piece of technology?

 Problem Solving  Creative Thinking  Tech. Literacy  Adaptability  Collaboration

It’s not about what to learn. It’s about HOW to learn. Lifelong learning

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

What Does it Mean to be a 21 st Century Library?

The 21 st Century Library A. Primarily Content Driven What’s the 21 st Century Library? B. Audience and Content Driven

The 21 st Century Library A. Located in a community What’s the 21 st Century Library? B. Embedded in a community

The 21 st Century Library A. Library provides programs and exhibits. What’s the 21 st Century Library? B. Library enlists community representatives to help teach, mentor and exchange 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

Shifting nature of the workforce # of Jobs/Lifetime Job Requirement Job Competition Work Model Education Model Organizational Culture 20 th Century 1-2 jobs Mastery of one Field Local Routine; Hands-on; fact based Institution Centered; formal degree is primary goal Top Down 21st Century jobs Simultaneous mastery of many rapidly changing fields Global Non-routine; technical; creative; interactive Learning centered; self- directed, lifelong learning is primary goal Multi-directional (bottom-up, top down, side to side, etc.)

32 Things you (your library) can do

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

Create handouts about library services for job seekers 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. Create an online job center Offer workshops on resume-writing Offer library meeting rooms to local workforce agencies. Start a job club Offer 1-on-1 interview tutoring to build programs for job seekers

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

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

 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 Workforce recovery pathways

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

Job Seekers  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.

Workforce Resources and the Workshop Group 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

webjunction.org/pc-workshop1

Week by week Each week for 4 weeks  New “assignments” posted on the group overview page  Read or watch suggested resources  Respond to at least one discussion question On your own schedule at your own pace!

Week 1 (June 1 – 7) Focus on  Understanding job loss in a 21 st century context  Identifying types of job seekers  Identifying stages of the job search process Discussion questions  To get you sharing insights and ideas  No “right” or “wrong” responses!

See you online! Questions or tech support? Betha Jennifer