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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I plan/host a job fair at my library?
  • Get in touch with a representative from your regional Workforce Development Board. Staff there will help connect you with local business, local government, economic development, education, and/or workforce partners.
  • Alternatively, you can contact Department of Workforce Development (DWD) staff. Although the DWD is headquartered in Madison, each county in Wisconsin has a specific job service staff member assigned to help you find local job resources for your library users.
  • We also recommend contacting your local chamber of commerce, tourism bureau, economic development board, and/or local service organizations (like the Rotary or Lions Club) for help planning and hosting a job fair at your library.
  • Visit the marketing toolkit for printable resources, social media templates, and information about reaching out to your local news outlets to publicize your event. 
I'd like to invite a speaker in, who can I contact?

Check if your library system has any recommendations. Contact your chamber of commerce or your county or municipality’s human resource department.

Where can I find trained volunteers to help job seekers?

Put a blurb out in your newsletter, run it by your library board, reach out to the HR departments of a few big companies in your area, and check with your local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Why is partnering with the Department of Workforce Development and my regional Workforce Development Board important?

Your regional Department of Workforce Development and Workforce Development Board contacts are specialists whose primary roles revolve around working with job seekers. They help job seekers daily and can readily pivot and apply their core skills and knowledge to quickly help you find solutions to library user needs.

I have practically zero budget or staff time to dedicate to this. Can our library still help the community?

Absolutely. You can:

  • Put a link to JobCenterofWisconsin.com on your website. You can use the button or widget from the marketing toolkit.
  • Take a quick look over the Workforce Resources Inventory for Libraries and keep that list handy, if you have a little extra time put your services on your website, and/or post them. Build a job search web page on your library’s website from the marketing toolkit.
  • Make a book display and include leaflets for any related online resources.
  • Include a workforce assistance program in your normal schedule.
  • Put a table tent by each public computer promoting JobCenterofWisconsin.com – other options include making the website the browser’s default home page and/or adding a shortcut to the desktop or bookmarks.
  • Connect with local members of the Society of Human Resource Managers or Human Resource professionals working locally who may be willing to deliver no-cost programs or training in your library.
  • Reach out to local businesses to see if they have openings and/or would share information about their company and how to apply for open positions. Ask if they are willing to arrange a company tour for interested library users.
  • Check with local and regional social service organizations to see if any offer free or low-cost interview clothing. Offer to provide meeting room space for job seekers to meet for mutual support and/or collaborative interview practice or resume reviews (self-guided, not librarian-led).
  • Contact your regional technical college campus to see if they are willing to collaborate on programs and/or resource sharing.
  • The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) is a non-profit organization with members who provide free consultation services and advice to entrepreneurs. Connect with a local volunteer SCOREmentor to ask about collaborating on programs or one-on-one job seeker support.
What are some types of programs or events the library can host?
  • Vocational awareness programs
  • Career speakers
  • HR presentations
  • Mock interviews
  • Resume reviews
  • Computer and software training
  • Programs associated with lessons on LinkedIn Learning, Gale Courses, or LearningExpress Library Career Preparation Center