The Trinidad newspaper The Times Independent printed “Libary, Workforce Center unite to aid job seekers” By Nancy Ellis. Congratulations to Janie and her staff for organizing this service and getting the word out. This collaboration between the library and work force center illustrates a larger trend in Colorado. Public libraries are working with local work force agencies to help job seekers. I spoke last week with Liz at Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta about a similar project they are doing with their local work force office. The library staff has been trained to assist with online application processes and a computer in the library is dedicated to job seekers and those applying for unemployment. With so many job applications online, the rural public library is sometimes the only place for job seekers to turn.
This trend is not just in rural libraries. The Denver Public Library has an extensive program in partnership with the Denver work force office.
Public libraries are dedicating computers, training and other support to job seekers in responds to the economic crisis and the needs of residents of their communities. The partnerships libraries are forming with other state and local agencies are really making a difference.
The one concern I have heard a lot from librarians around the state is that the anxiety level is quite high as people come into the library to work on resumes, explore job possibilities, and apply for employment. Another “trend” is that people in libraries are much more uptight, having fights over limited computers, and generally displaying more anxiety in interactions.
We are hoping that we can get some ARRA funds for public libraries to have fast broadband, more computers, and more training and support for job seekers. To this end, we are asking for you to share your stories of what is happening in your local community. Please feel free to make comments or email morris_s@cde.state.co.us And keep up the great work! You are changing lives.
And speaking of trends, I will be giving a presentation about top innovative trends in Colorado libraries at the CLiC workshop in Pueblo in April. This will definitely be discussed along with other interesting tidbits. Hope to see you there.
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