IGH— Gov. Bev Perdue today announced the JobSearch Help Desk, which will train librarians to help patrons connect with employers and conduct job searches at public libraries. Partners in the project are the State Library at the Department of Cultural Resources, the Employment Security Commission and the Department of Commerce.
“Getting our people back to work is my number one priority,” said Gov. Perdue. “More and more job seekers have turned to their public libraries for help to learn about and apply for jobs, creating a surge in demand. This project will make an immediate difference in our ability to help citizens.”
Beginning in March, the State Library will conduct training sessions statewide for librarians. The workshops will focus on use of North Carolina’s statewide electronic database consortium NC LIVE plus print and online tools for skills such as resume writing, job searching, and interviewing.
“Most top U.S. retailers no longer accept in-store paper applications, leading many people to head to their libraries for help and online access,” said Linda A. Carlisle, Secretary of the Department of Cultural Resources. “The JobSearch Help Desk will assist North Carolina’s public libraries to meet the needs of job seekers.”
People hunting for jobs, filling out applications, and exploring educational opportunities are turning to the local library to do research at computer terminals. Librarians are busier than ever as they assist customers with internet searches. When trained, librarians can help as "employment guides" with the ability to assess where the job seekers are in their job search process and direct individuals to the appropriate resources within the library and in their communities.
Each regional workshop will include panels with Employment Services Commission and Department of Commerce work force development professionals to share information on the related services and available resources. Other elements of the workshop will include internet resources, online databases such as NC LIVE, local and state job listings, and print materials. The workshops will be developed and presented by the State Library's Library Development consultants.
Locations for the regional workshops are:
Rocky Mount
Asheville
Wilkesboro
Fayetteville
Mooresville
Kinston
Cary
Greensboro
Edenton
All of the materials will be accessible in an online JobSearch Help Desk toolkit on the State Library's Web site beginning in March. Each will receive a notebook with reproducible handouts to share with their colleagues and library patrons. Online modules of the trainings will be developed after the in-person workshops have been presented.
In addition to an increase in job searches, the State Library reports that nearly five million North Carolinians are card-carrying library users, and their use of libraries is up sharply. Growth in materials being checked out, customer visits, and especially internet use at libraries continues a trend.
The State Library is a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, a state agency dedicated to the promotion and protection of North Carolina’s arts, history and culture. It is now podcasting 24/7 with information about the Department of Cultural Resources, all available at www.ncculture.com.