Download - Job Help Centers

Job Help Centers at Your Library

Presented by:

Joe Yersavich and Steve Hipes Columbus Metropolitan Library


Special thanks to:

The Ohio Library Counciland

OCLC


Presentation Objectives:

Discuss the creation of CML’s Job Help Center service model (and how we are still tweaking it) .

Identify key components of the service model.

Highlight the value of creating relationships between other libraries and outside agencies.

Why Job Help Centers ?

Why Job Help Centers ? In 2008, 2.6 million jobs were lost in the United States and Ohio ranked second in job loss.

Our customers were using the library to look for jobs and many of them needed our help.

Job searching is different today. Many people have never completed online applications or searched for jobs online.

Areas of the library set aside specifically for job seekers.

These areas include computers with Internet access resume software and Microsoft Office software.

Trained staff and skilled volunteers available for help as needed.

What are Job Help Centers?

Three Levels of Service

1. Open PCs: extended time on public computers.

2. Hands on Help3. Special Events or Technology classes

What are Job Help Centers?

What are Job Help Centers? A comfortable, welcoming, space for job hunters to

work.

A place for internet access, job searches, creating resumes and doing research.

A place with electronic resources organized to make them more manageable and easier to find.

A place to get help and encouragement.

Staff offering Hands on Help at Main Library JHC

We do not offer long term career counseling. We do not hold job fairs (yet). We do not post job openings.

BUT….we can guide you to find these things.

What Job Help Centers are not.

Job Help Centers – The First Steps CML’s Executive Leadership team created the

vision and set the tone.

Job Help Centers became one of CML’s top initiatives on its tactical plan.

Joe Yersavich, Hilltop Branch Manager, led the team and got the JHC’s up and running quickly.

Job Help Centers – The Goal

The goal was simple: To help people get jobs.

Job Help Centers –

Initial Guiding Principles 1. We are working in beta. 2. Self directed training. 3. Keep it simple. 4. We are here to support, give personal

attention and build relationships. 5. All staff can help.

We had the vision and the goal…next step was to enlist a dedicated team to make it happen.

Reacting vs. Planning. Not the typical CML way of doing business.

Job Help Centers – The First Steps

Many locations had Homework Help Centers (HHC), which were ideal for a JHC.

Locations without HHCs used meeting rooms and dedicated public computers for Job Help use only.


Pulling it all together

All departments across CML contributed to the effort.

We assembled the initial public service team for training and guidance.


• Job Help Center opened at Hilltop December 23rd (6 folks on the first day)

• Media Mention on FOX28 Good Day Columbus (12/29/08)

• Training classes offered for staff to take in preparation for JHCs (December 2008)

• Job Help Center staff wiki created Jan 9. • Web templates created for use with JHC events

(January 2009).

Job Help Center Timeline

• CR&D created logo and printed pieces (Jan 20th)• Digital Services creates Job Help webpage (Jan

20th).• JHC contacts from all locations meet (Jan 20th)

• IT makes changes to PC time (Jan 20th after hours)• JHC open everywhere (Jan 21st)

Job Help Center Timeline

Rollout ! The prototype Job Help Center opened at Hilltop Branch on December 23. Six eager customers used it the first day!

Job Help Centers open at all locations, January 21st, 2009

Multiple mentions in the media.

Established 3 Phase timeline:

– First Phase (1/21 to 2/15) Rollout and data collection

– Second Phase (2/16 to 3/15) Develop community partners and volunteers

– Third Phase (3/15 to 4/15) data evaluation and recommendations.

– Fourth Phase (4/15 to current) best practices, more collaboration and special events.

After Rollout Timeline

Job Help Centers – The Working Model

To help customers find gainful employment, we focus our energies on:

Teaching how to build resumes using WinWay and exporting the resume to Word

Exploring the art of cover letters Coaching customers on their first online

applications Surfing the internet for the right job.

Customers at Main Library’s Job Help Center

By the NumbersOver 25,000 visitors to Job Help Centers

January through September.

Busiest locations:Livingston Branch 3573 visits Karl Road Branch 3172 visits Hilltop Branch 3013 visits

By the NumbersCustomers visit us on line too!

Over 78,000 views so far

70% of use is remote.

“I am very grateful to the Job Help Center staff. They were very helpful to me and my family for our Quality of Life.”

“I appreciate the help and support of the Job Help Center staff. I changed my resume and I am getting more interviews than before.”

“I am proud to announce I was offered a position on Monday. I start Tuesday, and the damage control is manageable. I can keep my home, utilities, and can even buy a new pair of shoes.”.

What Our Customers Tell Us

“The job seminars and computer time are incredible. It gives people without a computer a place and a chance to get a job.”

“I just want to thank you for the Job Help computers. I really appreciate them, and I know everyone does who uses them, but they don't always say thanks, so I wanted to.”

“The professional volunteers and the staff of the library worked as diligently as me. My interviews were considered successes and became their successes too. I was encouraged, challenged and motivated.”

What Our Customers Tell Us

A Job Help Center Success StoryRon (Standing) is an AARP Volunteer.

He worked with Michael and helped him get a job.

Myths

• We don’t have enough staff for this service.• We are not qualified for this service.• No one will come in.• There are no jobs anyway so what’s the point.• What if they blame me for not getting a job.

Job Help Center PartnershipsWe’re all in this together !

http://www.aarp.org/

http://www.cowicjobleaders.org/index.php

Five Central Ohio Libraries Working Together! Columbus Metropolitan Library

Grandview Heights Public Library

Westerville Public Library

Worthington Public Library

Upper Arlington Public Library

Job Help Day @ Your LibraryThursday, September 24

Shared message that you can get job help at your local library.

Event generates buzz and is “news worthy” creating multiple media mentions.

Idea that libraries are working together and sharing resources.


Almost 1000 customers attended 73 events at 28 area libraries.

36 organizations/individuals donated their time to present job and career programs.


Job Help Day Program at Northwest Library

Central Ohio Library Collaborative And Now, All Seven Central Ohio Libraries

Work Together to Help Job Seekers.

Tips for Success:

• Promote: Go to the media!

• Partner: Other Libraries, other agencies.

• Plan the service model, but not the service.

• Observe your customers, look for trends.

• Don’t wait for perfect. Don’t fear failure.

Job Help Media Mentions and other info

www.hilltoplibrary.blogspot.com

Columbus Library’s Job Help Webpage:

www.columbuslibrary.org/jobhelp

Contact

Joe Yersavich [email protected]

Steve Hipes [email protected]

For further information:

http://www.hilltoplibrary.blogspot.com/

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]