JOBS - For Help, Start at Your Public Library
In an effort to assist the public library community in responding to the economic situation that has affected families and individuals across the state, DLTCL initiated a LSTA category in 2009 called "JOBS-Searching, Training, and Support." In 2009 this funding was made available on an emergency basis to the 17 regional public library systems in a non-competitive category. Funding was distributed on a population formula. This year, 2010, the category was competitive and open to both public libraries and systems.
The Systems use the funding to address a variety of needs. A summary of the overall 2009 project was included in a Channel article on the JOBS category. A link to the article appears in the box to the right on this page. Links are also included for the 2010 JOBS Project Summaries and current project abstracts. There is a link to the 2010 LSTA information, as well as one for the DWD Unemployment Figures by County for the State of Wisconsin.
Additional information about what public libraries are doing to help people looking for jobs is included below.
Wisconsin Library Agency Employment Help Web Sites
These Wisconsin library systems have created web pages for people who are looking for jobs.
Articles on the Role of Public Libraries in Helping Job Seekers and other Libraries in the News
Wisconsin Libraries in the News Regarding their Assistance for Job Seekers
From January-July 2010, 1,161 people in Rock County attended computer classes offered by the Arrowhead Library System as part of their LSTA grant.
"Many public Libraries in Wisconsin using LSTA fund to address Community Unemployment Issues."
Channel, Winter 2010
http://dpi.wi.gov/channel/pdf/chn4502.pdf#page=4
Twelve (12) Library Services and Technology Grant (LSTA) JOBS projects have been approved for 2010. The projects involve 56% of all Wisconsin public libraries. Many other libraries are also providing services to people who are unemployed or who want to improve their job skills using local funding. A wide variety of services are planned using federal LSTA funding. A total of $214,000 in federal LSTA funding was allocated for Wisconsin's 2010 JOBS projects.
"Computer services, tutelage in demand at local libraries"
The Chetek Alert, December 30, 2009
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1134&dept_id=150860&newsid=20399437&PAG=461&rfi=9
Regionally, library visits and circulation are on the rise as job losses, career changes, and everyday economizing drive locals back to their libraries. In 2009, free computer use and online access were among those services most in demand. Statistics also prove the rising number of library users is a decade-long trend. A 2007-2008 study of Wisconsin libraries conducted by NorthStar Economics, Inc., of Madison concluded that visits have grown by 21 percent from 1998 to 2008, and libraries are particularly valuable, for their services and community gathering space, in low-income and rural areas.
"Looking for Work Just Got a Little Bit Easier"
WQOW, October 29, 2009.
www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=11408057
Thanks to an Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant, the Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) has a webpage tailored to the needs of job seekers in west central Wisconsin. It gives job seekers an up-to-date, excellent selection of web resources about resumes, cover letters, and interviews. Many public libraries in the region have resume-writing software on public computers and offer basic computer classes to help displaced workers catch up on skills.
"Thanks for the Library Services"
Beloit Daily News, October 20, 2009.
www.beloitdailynews.com/articles/2009/10/20/opinion/letters/let2001.txt
A Beloit resident writes to the Beloit Daily News in appreciation of the job search services offered by the Beloit Public Library.
Slow Economy Drives Many to Library Computers to Search for Jobs
FOX6, October 15, 2009.
www.fox6now.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=d18f9daa-4b27-4762-a235-f33fb3760a5d&src=front
The Wauwatosa Public Library was featured in a news story on Fox 6 television station in Milwaukee.
The library expects 450,000 patrons will visit the library before the end of this year. Shawn Duffy was interviewed and explained that usage has increased significantly, especially by adult men using computers to look for jobs online. The story highlights the savings people find by using a public library and the library's self checkout system. The story mentions the free job training the library is offering (with funding from LSTA). The reporter said that the library is acting almost in the role of a "job center," and she added, "That makes sense, since everything is free."
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Todd and I have been attending the job center at the Milwaukee Public Library for approximately 1 month. In the time I have spent at job center I have learned how to create an effective resume, I have learned computer skills I previously did not have, and I have applied to more positions in the past month than I have been able to in the past year. As a result I have landed a position at Dunham Express. I would like to thank Joni, Jackie, and Nicole for assisting me in my search.
Todd B.
Milwaukee Public Library Job Center
Milwaukee County Federated Library System Offers Free Computer Training
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, September 18,2009.
www.jsonline.com/business/59804597.html
Beginning in August, 18 libraries began offering free training through a $29,500 federal grant awarded to the Milwaukee County Federated Library System. In its first two weeks, the classes drew more than 200 people seeking to learn how to complete online job applications, write résumés on the Web, search Internet job listings and get a free e-mail account.
Tips for Librarians on Assisting People Who are Unemployed
At the recent workshop on Assisting the Unemployed in Sheboygan County, Brian Ognacevic, program manager for the Great Lakes Training and Development Corp., from the Sheboygan County Job Center had a number of suggestions for libraries.
- Due to the overwhelming number of unemployed people libraries should continue to provide workshops on interviewing skills, writing resumes and cover letters, basic computer skills and Microsoft Office skills.
- Provide space for individuals to build networking groups or support groups.
- Provide access to computers, which is especially needed.
- Present materials and/or workshops on the reality of dealing with reduced family budgets.
- Inform the public that it is essential to make an appointment to use the resources of regional Job Centers. Link to the local Job Center web sites.
- Help inform the public of the need for higher education in a changing job market and help promote awareness of adult education programs.
--based on "Assisting the Unemployed," Library Connections July 2008, the electronic newsletter of the Eastern Shores Library System. http://www.esls.lib.wi.us/newsletter/Jul2009.html
Madison Public Library Helps Job Seekers
WKOW, July 22, 2009.
www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10773878
A $25,000 grant will benefit four Madison Public Library branches and twenty other public libraries in South Central Wisconsin. The grant will be used to offer workshops geared toward displaced workers, developing skills for job searching, and workshops for resume and cover letter writing.
Danielle Kaeding of Wisconsin Public Radio reported on the efforts of the La Crosse Public Library to help people who are looking for jobs. When Superintendent Tony Evers visited the library on July 14, 2009 he observed a basic computer training course the library was offering for people who wanted to improve their job skills. To listen to the webcast go to http://clipcast.wpr.org:8080/ramgen/wpr/news/news090715dk.rm
"A lot of times people use the computers to get into the job market. A growing number of companies, like McDonalds, require people to apply for a job online. So people have to have an e-mail account. For someone who has never had an e-mail address, that can be an overwhelming thing. The staff helps patrons set up email accounts. They'll come here to fill out job applications, and search job Web sites, and then come back every day to check for e-mail responses."
Colleen Rortvedt, Assistant Director
Appleton Public Library
"When Times are Tough... Find a Library!"
by Darcy Skibba, Reference, La Crosse Public Library, July 2009.
www.wrlsweb.org/Whirlpools0709/Reference.htm
LaCrosse Public Library is active in serving people looking for jobs or who want to improve their job skills. A summary of their activity is included in the July 2009 edition of the Winding Rivers Library System's electronic newsletter, Whirlpools.
"Libraries Take on New Roles, Employees Proctor Exams for Work, College"
by Tony Walter, Green Bay Press Gazette, May 26, 2009.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/greenbaypressgazette/access/1734936191.html
Brown County Library offers free proctoring as a service to help people taking employment tests or improving their job skills by taking college courses online. Library employee oversees the testing process then mails the results to the college or business.
"Downtown Library Helping Job Seekers"
The Capital Times, June 19, 2009.
www.madison.com/tct/news/stories/455485
Madison Public Library is using LSTA funding, made available through the South Central Library System, and funds from the Madison Senior Center to offer services to job seekers. Staff from the library, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center and the Madison Senior Center provide one-on-one sessions with job seekers to help them with resume writing and job searches.
"Dollars & Sense/ Daily Tips for Tough Times : Check These Out Library Group Lists Favorite Books to Help Job Hunters." Dresang, Joel. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. April 20, 2009, pg. A2.
Dresang indicates that public libraries are among the agencies that make computers available to job seekers. More than 260,000 Wisconsin residents were out of work and couldn't find a job in March 2009. That's the most since 1983 and up 70% since the recession began in late 2007. Dresang quotes Paula Kiely, Director of the Milwaukee Public Library, in regard to the increased demand for free job hunting and resume writing classes. 160 patrons attended classes at the library from January-March 2009 and increase of 20% over 2008. Kiely said, "We're getting a lot more inquiries about using resources to help people find jobs. They're coming in not only using the computers but they're also using the library collections."
Record numbers of Americans are visiting public libraries for the tools and references they hope will help them find jobs, according to the American Library Association. The article includes the April 1, 2009, Library Journal list of the most-borrowed books for job hunting. For a list of the titles go to www.librarystuff.net/2009/05/21/job-seekers-without-internet-access-stretch-libraries-computers/.
Library Services for Job Seekers in the National News
"Study Finds Many People use D.C. Public Library Computers to Find Jobs"
by George Williams, D.C. Public Library, May 3, 2010
http://dclibrary.org/node/6866
A recent study shows that 40 percent of computer users at the D.C. Public Library use the computers to research and apply for jobs and 20 percent of them report that they found jobs as a result. Overall, 62 percent of the people surveyed reported that they either used the D.C. Public Library's public access computers or the library's WiFi on their personal computers.
These findings are part of a first-ever national study, conducted by the University of Washington Information School, measuring the usage of public library computers across the country. The study, titled "U.S. Impact Study: Web Survey Results," measured public library computer usage in areas of employment/entrepreneurship, health, education, ecommerce, civic engagement, and social inclusion/networking. More than 400 people participated in the survey in D.C. with 50,000 surveys completed nationwide. The national study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. A copy of the D.C. results is available at www.scribd.com/doc/30853631.
"Job seekers in need of computers flock to libraries"
by Ron Barnett, USA Today, September 2, 2009.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2009-09-02-job-seekers-libraries-computers_N.htm
The September 2, 2009, edition of USA Today reports that a new national study by the American Library Association shows that libraries across the United States are filling up with people waiting to get online to fill out applications, write résumés, or look for job openings. "Libraries are really the first responder in this economic crisis, and particularly for job seekers," said Larra Clark, who managed the study due for release September 15. In 2007, before the economy took a nosedive, 44% of public libraries said assisting job seekers was a "critical use" of their library; now it's 67%.
NBC's national news program, Today, carried a segment on the new role public libraries are playing across the country in helping people find jobs. More people have library cards than ever and for 73% of all communities, the public library is the only place that offers free access to computers and WiFi.
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/31237988#31237988
"Job Seekers without Internet Access Stretch Libraries' Computers"
by Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Oregonian, Thursday May 21, 2009.
www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2009/05/job_seekers_without_internet_a.html
"Nowadays, if you're not online, you're way behind," Alilat, a Northeast Portland resident, says. "It hinders my entire life." The 33-year-old finds herself on the wrong side of a digital divide blown wider by the sinking economy. Like thousands across the metro area, she's turned to the only place she knows where she can easily access computers for free: the public library.
Examples of What Individual Public Libraries are Doing to Help People Looking for Jobs
Library Offers High-tech Job Help
by Mark Jaeger, Ozaukee Press, October 6, 2010
The job support efforts at the Oscar Grady Public Library in Saukville was featured in a recent article in the "Ozaukee Press." Ever since the nation's economy took a serious downward turn, public libraries have noticed a surge in use among job hunters. In response to that trend, the Oscar Grady Public Library in Saukville is offering some high-tech assistance to patrons looking for work.
The library is hosting three job-related classes in October, using a bank of five laptop computers on a two-week loan from the Eastern Shores Library System. The computers and a linked projector were secured by the system through a grant. The Eastern Shores grant was a Library Services and Technology grant through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Division for Libraries Technology and Community Development.
The computers can be used by any member library in Ozaukee or Sheboygan county. Classes at Oscar Grady Public Library will include a session on job hunting, building a resume, and resource and techniques for online job searching. All of the sessions will be led by staff members from the state's Department of Workforce Development.
Library Director Jen Gerber said "Every day we have a lot of people coming in to use our computers to access online job resources. Oftentimes, they need one-on-one assistance which we simply are not able to provide," Seeing the need, she approached the Department of Workforce Development about offering the classes. The option became even more appealing when the Eastern Shores loaned laptops became available.
Library Director Chosen as Friend of Education
Fond du Lac Reporter, September 17, 2010
www.fdlreporter.com/article/20100917/FON0101/9170414/Library-director-chosen-as-Friend-of-Education
Ken Hall, Director of the Fond du Lac Public Library, was named a Friend of Education by Superintendent Tony Evers because of his efforts to create a Job Center in his library.
Libraries see a surge in job seekers who need help using computers
Wisconsin State Journal, September 16, 2010
host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_f225b75c-c1f9-11df-bca3-001cc4c002e0.html
The Madison Public Library offers a Job Drop In Center for people looking for work or who want to improve their job skills.
Marquette Libraries Magnets for Job Seekers
Portage Daily Register, June 18, 2010
www.wiscnews.com/portagedailyregister/news/local/article_369a3f2e-7b56-11df-b283-001cc4c03286.html
Marquette County public libraries made a presentation to the County Board explaining that patrons in need of job support services are increasingly turning to their public libraries. The librarians said county libraries have become resources for job seekers because Marquette County no longer has a state job center. The closest state job center is in Baraboo and serves Columbia, Marquette and Sauk counties.
"The No. 1 increase over last year is Wi-Fi usage for job searches," said Marie Boleman of Ethel Everhard Memorial Library.
Libraries also provide assistance using computers to write resumes and letters of application, proofread resumes for errors, assist in finding job listings online and help in finding maps and directions for job interviews and job fairs.
"Every day, people are using (our) computers for job searching," said Jim Walker, library director at Oxford Public Library.
Library to transform Computer Lab into Job Lab twice a week
The Journal Times, March 9, 2010
http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/article_2c5f1c08-2b26-11df-bc08-001cc4c002e0.html
Beginning March 16, the Racine Public Library will transform its Computer Lab into a Job Lab on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5-8 p.m. to offer space and assistance for community members seeking employment. Qualified volunteers will be on hand to help those seeking employment with resumes, job searches, online applications, and a wide range of other employment-related activities.
Computer Usage at Appleton Public Library Takes a Huge Jump in 2009
Appleton Post-Crescent, December 12, 2009
For those who lack
access to computers
or the Internet, the
library computers
may be their only
connection to the
job-hunting world.
Library officials say the economy is a significant factor driving record use of public access computers. The use of such computers is up 25 percent over this time last year, according to library statistics. Library Director Terry Dawson said public computer use is up as much as 52 percent over 2008. "It really took a jump as the recession hit us," Dawson said. "It's something we are seeing on a national level with more employers requiring electronic applications to apply for a job. With this economy, more people are losing their high-speed Internet subscriptions and they are relying on the library now."
Dawson said the boost in public access computer use, and an expanding list of free computer instruction classes, fit in with the mission of the library. "We are doing what the library has always done and that's to empower people, whether it is learning from books or computers," Dawson said. In November alone, there were 8,675 Internet sessions by library computer users, or nearly 290 a day, said Colleen Rortvedt, library assistant director. Rortvedt oversees the library's public access computer program. The program offers 28 computers for adults and eight for children.
One frequent question asked by computer users is how to attach a resume to an e-mailed job application.
The library offers instructions for up to 10 people per class for users not literate in computers use. Dozens of one-time classes, offered at no charge, range from how to use a mouse to basic computer instructions to Excel, Word, e-mail, and Internet basics.
Pilot Program Takes Flight at Fond du Lac Library
Fond du Lac Reporter, December 10, 2009.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/fdlreporter/access/1919233971.html?FMT=ABS
At the Fond du Lac Public Library, the new Opportunity Center in the lower level computer lab caters to residents looking to hone their job-hunting skills. The center is part of a pilot program being offered in five chosen libraries in the state and funded through the American Recovery Reinvestment Act.
Both day and evening hours are offered to give people a place to come for help after Fond du Lac's Job Center closes at 4:30 p.m. (Lab hours are listed at www.fdlpl.org/whatsnew.html#center.) The lab has 12 computer stations where volunteers work one-on-one with clients learning computer applications, like Microsoft Word, setting up e-mail accounts, navigating the Internet, filling out online job applications, and finding job source Web sites.
Hedberg Public Library - Job Seekers Open Lab @ Your Library
Let Hedberg Public Library staff help you find a job! Drop in to the next Job Seekers Open Lab, and our librarians will help you with your job search. Get tips on searching the Internet for jobs, writing resumes and cover letters, and more. The Open Lab is held in the library's Woodruff Training Room, 316 S. Main Street. No registration is required for this free event. For more information, visit www.HedbergPublicLibrary.org.
VISTA Workers in Public Libraries Help with Employment Assistance Efforts
Ten VISTA placements in public libraries were available in Wisconsin through the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). These positions will begin in August 2009 and run through July 2010. They are full time positions paid for by the DPI. These VISTA workers cannot provide direct services to the public, but part of their role could be to administer these grants or to support the administration and organization of the activities. VISTAs may work for either the System or an individual library.
Libraries that will be hosting VISTA workers include the Vaughn Public Library in Ashland, Marathon County in Wausau, Oshkosh, Racine, Oshkosh, Racine, Spooner, Shiocton and Fond du Lac. Several of these VISTA workers will be working on activities related to public library efforts to help people who are unemployed or seeking to improve their job skills. Betsy Prueter is the DPI VISTA coordinator. Contact her at betsy.prueter@dpi.wi.gov or 608-267-7290.
VISTA Interest Spikes for Clients, Volunteers
by Brian Bull, Wisconsin Public Radio, May 17 2010.
www.rivertowns.net/event/article/id/233090/group/State%20News/
Demand is up in Wisconsin for VISTA, a volunteer program geared towards helping troubled schools and struggling, low-income communities. Coordinators say there is also an uptick in people who want to help. So far, 220 people have applied for the program's 50 available slots. Wisconsin's VISTA coordinator Betsy Prueter hasn't seen this volume of applications in 10 years and anticipates another "another 50 or so applications." While Prueter partially attributes the recession for the increase, she says another factor is a new partnership between VISTA, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and public libraries that began this year.
Wisconsin Senior Employment Program (WISE) Overview
Monica Snittler coordinates the WISE program for the Wisconsin for Bureau of Aging and Disabilities Resources program. She encourages interested librarians to contact their area coordinating agency to discuss a possible placement. WISE has recently received federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funding. This program helps train seniors who are looking for employment and pays for a placement in a job where they can improve or refresh their job skills. One of the possible placements is public libraries. Snittler's overview is available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/pdf/wise-overview.pdf.
The WISE program is not new: it has been placing senior employees in public libraries for many years. But they do have extra money and have been encouraged to place workers in public libraries when that is an appropriate program.
In addition to the information included in Monica's overview, she also indicated part of the training they provides includes basic computer skills. The placements should have no impact on a library's staffing and the workers can't replace paid staff.
Libraries interested in acting as a job training site should have an idea of what they want the worker to do. The work should be meaningful. Libraries can't necessarily request a specific person, but they can encourage people to apply to be in the program and it may work out that the placement for that person will be at the public library. Many workers in the past have express an interest in working in public libraries.
For a list of whom to contact for information about the WISE program, go to http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/pdf/wise-overview.pdf#page=3.
For questions about this information, contact Jamie McCanless (608) 267-9280
Last updated on 2/8/2012 1:05:16 PM
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