by Cindy Rauch, Homewood Public Library and Kathy Roegge, MLS

Since the economy has taken a downturn and unemployment has increased, libraries have seen a growing number of patrons visiting to search online and apply for jobs. Library staffs are now tasked with helping their patrons find job sites, fill out forms for unemployment and assist with writing resumes.  According to a USA Today article http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2009-09-02-job-seekers-libraries-computers_N.htm  citing a national study conducted by Larra Clark for the American Library Association , “Eight out of 10 libraries nationally have someone on a computer waiting list at some point during the day.  At the beginning of 2007, before the economy took a nosedive, 44% of libraries nationally said assisting job seekers was a "critical use" of their library, she says. Now, it's 67%”.

To assist their job-seeking patrons, thirteen area libraries from Zones 8 & 9 partnered to create the program  Job Connect @ Your Library(http://www.southsublib.lib.il.us/job-connect). Collaborating libraries included Chicago Heights (http://www.chicagoheightslibrary.org), Crete (http://www.cretelibrary.org), Flossmoor (http://flossmoorlibrary.org/news.php), Glenwood-Lynwood (http://www.glpld.org/page.php?3), Grande Prairie (http://www.grandeprairie.org), Harvey (http://www.harvey.lib.il.us), Homewood (http://homewoodlibrary.org/), Markham (http://www.markhamlibrary.org), Matteson (http://www.mattesonpubliclibrary.org), McConathy (http://www.at-the-library.org), Park Forest (http://www.pfpl.org), Richton Park (http://www.richtonparklibrary.org), and Steger-South Chicago Heights (http://www.ssch.lib.il.us). 

Staff in the participating libraries observed a growing number of job seekers using their computers and realized a need for a job program to help these patrons.  The tipping point was the attention the media began paying to the country’s growing unemployment problem.  This spurred the libraries into action and program planning started in the fall 2009. 

The participating libraries had several meetings to discuss what the program would provide for users.   They decided to offer as much as would be cost effective. The program would provide users needed basic skill building workshops but more importantly, serve as a portal for patrons looking for job openings.

Originally the libraries had planned to apply for a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to help fund the program.  When the LSTA grant monies were diverted by the State Library for another use, the libraries decided to move forward regardless.  Not getting the grant required they be a little more resourceful, so staffs from the participating libraries were tapped to help facilitate the program. 

For instance, the Homewood Public Library webmaster and Crete Library staff worked together to develop the website.  The Reference Association of South Suburban Libraries (RASSL) (http://www.rassl.info/)  and the staff at the Tinley Park Library also helped pull together the list of job resources found on the website.  They were very gracious in allowing the program to use what they had already been accumulating. 

Currently the program supports the joint website listing Illinois employment opportunities and links to online resources.  Participating libraries have hosted recruitment fairs and several skill building workshops on online job searching.  All the events were listed on the website, a common brochure was available in each of the libraries, and information about Job Connect @ Your Library was sent to local papers

According to Cindy Rauch, Director at the Homewood Public Library, patrons have really appreciated the service.  While the libraries are not sure how many jobseekers actually have found employment this was not their only goal.  The libraries realize actual job connections are hard to make in this economy.  But they do feel the greater program strength is that discouraged jobseekers feel like someone cares.

The Job Connect @ your library program will slow down a little with the summer.  The libraries involved hope to resume in the fall with a series of workshops that focus on other skills. Under consideration are programs on resume writing, interview tips, and more. 

Comments or questions about this article can be emailed to Cindy Rauch at cindyr@homewoodlibrary.net or Kathy Roegge at roeggek@mls.lib.il.us.

Published May 19, 2010 in vol. 4, iss. 10 [View]