How Libraries Bridge the Employment Gap via American Libraries

How Libraries Bridge the Employment Gap

American Libraries: 8.14.2018 by Emily Wagner

A five-person panel of Ohio community leaders explored employment issues August 9 during “Libraries Educate Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Careers,” an event organized by four Ohio library partners and the American Library Association (ALA).

The discussion—which focused on libraries as an essential component in creating, sustaining, and retaining a viable workforce—brought together leaders from all levels of government and community nonprofits.

The program took place at Rakuten OverDrive headquarters in Cleveland and was cosponsored by Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Ohio Library Council, and ALA. It is the first in an upcoming series of local events organized by ALA and hosted in collaboration with libraries and library businesses across the country.

“Many job applications today are exclusively online. But the truth is, a lot of the people I represent don’t have daily access to computers or broadband,” Fudge said. “We need to find ways to give them a fighting chance. It takes a real village, and the library is the hub of that village.”  READ MORE >>

For Employment Training and Assistance, Look to Your Local Library

IMLS Blog: 10.20.2014 by Susan H Hildreth

Every day, in communities across the county, libraries are helping people with the skills training, career information, and job searching they need to get working. Ninety-six percent of libraries offer online job and employment resources, and 78 percent offer programs to help people apply for jobs. Libraries receive federal funding and grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help their customers—including people with disabilities—find and keep a job.

Libraries offer Internet access, welcoming spaces, convenient hours and locations, and most importantly librarians, to serve as information navigators to help job seekers. Some public libraries have "One-Stop Career Centers" that bring together a wide variety of community resources and provide many employment services.  Libraries also provide learning opportunities for adults who are no longer in school, including adults who face economic challenges or have disabilities. Services may include reading and literacy classes, computer labs, and self-paced tutorials.

Many people have used their local library to help them find information about the Social Security Ticket to Work program, which provides employment support services to persons, age 18 through 64, who receive Social Security disability benefits.  READ MORE >>