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

Project Compass Overview The Library, the Workforce and 21 st Century Skills Pathways to Workforce Recovery o Core Services o Job Seekers Break 4:15-4:30 o Small Business o Personal Financial Skills 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 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

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

Core Services Pathway  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.

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

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.

A connection to community services Social services triage: 1.What can the library do? 2.Who to refer to? 3.How to partner to augment services?

Help in PA

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

Providing Public Access to Computers

Providing Basic Computer Skills Classes

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

Cambria County Library Links to Core Services

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.

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

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

Career Services via Lower Macungie Library

Host a Job Fair!

Whatever you do, let everyone know about it.

Action: Start a job club at your library

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

Partner for specific programs Resume workshop Find volunteers in your community

BREAK

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

More Project Compass Pathways

Supporting Small Business and Entrepreneurs

4 Pathways Core Services Job Seekers Small Business Personal Finance

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

Pennsylvania Open for Business

Reach out to partner Backyard Chickens workshop

SCORE, a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

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

Small Business Start-up Backpacks Provided to Friends' Memorial Public Library by University of Pittsburgh at Bradford's Entrepreneurship Program

Business Resources via Lower Macungie Library

to support entrepreneurs Find partners (like SCORE) to offer business workshops in the library Create a display of the best of your business collection Include a business link on your website home page Set up a small business center next to your job center. Post an “entrepreneur readiness” checklist—find one online, like the SBA’s “20 Questions” guide. Get out of the library and get to know the small business community better! Host networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, including people in the arts and crafts. Offer library space for small business meetings

Building Personal Financial Sustainability

Personal Financial Skills Pathway Personal Financial Skills Pathway  Understanding the impact of the economic downturn on personal financial stability  Providing resources, training and programs on applying for social services, refinancing a mortgage, getting out of debt, etc. Why ? Whether unemployed or not, many patrons need to regain control of their personal finances. Why ? Whether unemployed or not, many patrons need to regain control of their personal finances.

Project Money  Increasing personal financial skills  Uses free web resources  Uses adult literacy program strategies

Existing PA Resources

Consumer Information via Lower Macungie Library

to increase patrons’ financial skills Offer “penny-pinching” workshops Offer credit report workshops, including free printing of credit reports Start a savers club Provide information about bankruptcy – both discreetly and in workshops. Provide handouts on 10 steps to financial well-being (projectmoney.org) Bookmark financial resources on your public computers— there are many! Use a story-time format to highlight financial topics— get the whole family involved! $ Offer student loan workshops $

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

 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

to stay informed Have the local workforce agency provide workshops to library staff about how to use their services Create and sustain relationships with local social service agencies. Collect success stories! Offer mini- workshops for staff on social networking and new tech tools for job seekers Assign a "PR" person on your staff to stay in touch with local media and keep the library’s services “top of mind” Provide “reference interview” training with role playing and practice At staff meetings, ask each person to share an experience with an un(der)employed patron. Have “lunch and learn” sessions for staff once a week

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!

Stay Involved State Library of North Carolina On WebJunction webjunction.org/workforce-resources Crossroads (monthly newsletter) webjunction.org/crossroads Events webjunction.org/events/webinars Questions?

Thank you!