Connecticut Libraries Roadmap to Re-Opening and Recovery
RECOVERY Recommendations:
Engaging Job Seekers
PEOPLE
- Ensure staff is trained in all aspects of job and career resources available.
- Ensure staff has the resources and support to deal with patrons that have experienced job loss.
- Utilize expertise of community members (e.g. retirees) for volunteer help with resume review, preparing for an interview, etc.
- Staff with expertise may assist job seekers with filling out job applications, resume preparation, printing, faxing, etc.
- Staff may start a Job Club for those in the same situation for learning, networking, support and encouragement.
- Partner with local colleges, business groups, and community organizations for support.
SPACE:
- Set up a dedicated space for job and career services
- Display table with job/career-related books and materials
- Business center with printer, fax, scanner, etc
- Local job bulletin board
- Coffee station
- Dedicated computer(s) for job/career seeking use
- Comfortable seating
- Flash drives available for job seekers to save their resume, cover letter, etc.
- Use of meeting room space to conduct workshops on job seeking services and skills.
- Good signage to point job seekers to the dedicated job and career space.
- Consider opening space an hour earlier or staying 1 hour later specifically for job seekers to not have to compete with others for computers and other resources.
PLATFORM:
- Access to job and career resources on library computers.
- Dedicated section of library web site to highlight services available to job seekers.
- Online and print job and career resources including books.
- Weed collection of books and other job-related materials that are more than 2 years old.
- Library hosts a local job fair, inviting local businesses and organizations to partner and participate.
- Library sets up in person and/or virtual workshops and training for job seekers.
Engaging Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
PEOPLE:
- Staff investigates needs of local small businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Libraries partner with Small Business Centers at their local community colleges and universities to find out needs, create services.
- Libraries partner with other local organizations (e.g. Chamber of Commerce, BBB, etc.)
- Staff is trained on print and online resources available to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Share resources with other libraries such as "borrowing" a Business Librarian if not one on staff.
- Leverage Friends, Boards, local government colleagues' connections to others that may be potential partners.
SPACE:
- Create a dedicated space for small business / entrepreneur services (e.g. an Entrepreneurial Learning Center)
- Display table with small business / entrepreneur -related books and materials
- Business center with printer, fax, scanner, etc
- Local small business bulletin board
- Coffee station
- Dedicated computer(s) for small business / entrepreneur use
- Comfortable seating
- Use of meeting room space to conduct workshops on small business / entrepreneur services and skills.
- Good signage to point small business / entrepreneurs to the dedicated space.
- Create a co-working space(s).
- Make available meeting room space for meetups, meetings, etc.
PLATFORM:
- Access to small business / entrepreneur resources on library computers.
- Dedicated section of library web site to highlight services available to small business / entrepreneurs.
- Dedicated section of library newsletter to highlight services available to small businesses / entrepreneurs.
- Online and print small business / entrepreneurial resources including books.
- Library hosts local entrepreneurs to give talks and provide networking opportunities.
- Library sets up in person and/or virtual workshops and training for small business / entrepreneurs.
- Offer workshops and training (e.g. ICE House Entrepreneurship classes).
- Start a "1 Million Cups" program in your region.
- Free Internet access with good bandwidth, and Wi-Fi.
Financial Literacy
PEOPLE:
- Staff trained in resources available to the public to promote financial literacy, good savings habits, budgeting, etc.
- Staff partners with local and state organizations and agencies to bring workshops to the library to assist their community with getting on their feet and promoting good financial knowledge and habits.
- Staff offers more free family entertainment.
SPACE:
- Create a dedicated space financial literacy resource.
- Display table with financial literacy books and materials (e.g. free publications from CFPB, FCC, etc.
- Children’s books and materials (e.g. Money as you Grow book club).
- Use of meeting room space to conduct financial-related workshops, free family programming, etc.
PLATFORM:
- Online and print resources on financial literacy topics.
- Send out financial literacy tips through social media and website.
- Conduct financial-related workshops.
- Dedicated week of programs during Money Smart Week @ Your Library and Connecticut Saves Week
- Year-round programming for children through seniors
- real-world workshops for teens and young adults
- Offer museum passes to patrons to save money on attractions.
- Increase free family entertainment (e.g. movie nights).
The Connecticut State Library, Division of Library Development is there for you.
