PROJECT COMPASS: Libraries lead the workforce for the 21st Century
Ideas from Niceville, June 13, 2011
Idea Generators from Niceville
1.Offer more training and programs face-to-face.
2.Develop a postcard for patrons’ use with statements about the worth of our library.
3.Promote what our library is doing with the media – develop a “brand.”
4.Check out jist.com to provide another resource for job skills set assessment.
5.Participate in “Right Service at the Right Time” when it becomes available in our area.
6.Conduct resume workshops for patrons; consider providing resume samples instead of “template websites” so patrons don’t get overwhelmed with the different formats.
7.Provide a handout on job/employment assistance and resources; expand to include small business concerns.
8.Hold a “Job seeking 101” general-information workshop for job seekers.
9.Be more aware of people and the personal issues they may be going through.
10.Move our library farther into the “21st century skills” category.
11.Help sponsor a “Save….” program (name of town or county), promoting ways for ourcitizens to save money. Save Okaloosa is a program through the University of Floridaextension office. Offer programs and workshops geared to this theme.
12.Ask local financial agencies and banks to hold financial information programs at our library and offer to provide their printed material at the library (if it is appropriate).
13.Offer space to other organizations to hold programs.
14.Provide pension and retirement information to government employees; become a satellite facility to update them on financial changes in their plans.
15.Hold couponing workshops or become a “coupon exchange” facility.
16.Contact local utilities to find out what kind of financial assistance programs are available.
17.Provide information on alternatives people can consider to save money such as gardening, solar energy, etc.
18.Provide “stability” rating guides for health insurance and financial institutions so that people are making wise choices.
19.Create and hand out budget how-tos.
20.Hang a sign that says, “Are you networking? Ask us how – and why it’s important!”
Hang it beside the “job search” computers.
21.Develop a checklist, “Where to start,” for the recently unemployed.
22.Print current jobs from Workforce and hang them beside the job search computer.
23.Hand out flash drives to job seekers (provided by an outside sponsor) for resume class – use the flash drives to encourage attendance. “Free flash drive!”
24.Allow free faxing for local numbers.
25.To make sure we are providing services that matter, develop a relationship with small businesses in the area that can mentor your library about the needs of small businesses.
26.Hold a “coupon competition” – whoever saves the biggest percentage, wins a prize (provided by an outside source).
27.Put a “job seeker” icon on our computers leading to local employers, job search sites,and online applications.
28.Keep a reference log of good job search sites; keep another of frequently asked questions, then compile those answers.
29.Keep stats of usage on various programming to identify and verify needs of our patrons.
30.Enable wireless printing from dedicated job seeker computers.
31.Find or create budget worksheet templates; compare wants vs. needs.
32.Create an updated display of books, web sources, and guides to help with resumes and interviewing skills.
33.Set up a job seeker station with resume software, printouts, available jobs, etc.
34.Host a “business card exchange” for small businesses.
35.Create a monthly “local business spotlight.”
36.Host a monthly “lunch and learn” – find a sponsor to provide food, and then offer programson various aspects of job searching, small businesses, or personal finances. Limit participation so the sponsor’s monetary commitment is limited each month.
37.Research grant opportunities for small businesses then host a workshop with the information you discover.
38.Conduct a mini-workshop for potential retirees: “What really happens with your income when you retire?” Have an “expert” explain the rules of social security when retiring atdifferent ages, etc.
39.Utilize retired business people as volunteers to conduct various workshops.
40.Create a “finances for kids” program (Dave Ramsey).
41.Develop a “How Small Businesses Can Save Money” workshop.
42.Make sure our materials on small business development are updated, including those for women-owned businesses.
43.Create a catalog of Federal domestic assistance – grants available.
44.Set up displays of “how to set up a small business” and tax implications/applications.
45.Utilize local SBDC at Gulf Coast State and NW and promote these centers at our library.
46.Create website links for Sunbiz and the IRS.
47.Offer the library to AARP to hold tax workshops.
48. $ link on webpage for financial resources.
49.Offer a “How To Cut Your Budget by a Third” workshop (determine wants vs. needs, etc.)
50.Meet with our local Workforce Board or employment agencies to see how we can help.
51.Set up a designated time to help with resume writing, interviewing skills.
52. Create a button for some staff to wear that says, “Ask me about resources for your job search” so that patrons aren’t intimidated about asking questions.
53.Train staff on and promote the Florida Electronic Library job and small business resources.
54.Research the tax revenue provided by small businesses – present this information to those responsible for approving various programming changes you may want to implement.
55.Recruit the Friends to help fund some programs.
56.Realize that the library’s place in our current economic is evolving – and will continue to do so. What works this month may not work three months from now.
57.How can we utilize Craig’s List or help our patrons do so?
58.Conduct a workshop on how to create a business plan.
59.Help discover and share ways small businesses can promote their services and products.
60.Reach out to the Economic Development Council to see how we can work together.
61.Teach small businesses how to use social networking to promote their businesses.
62.Hold a “local artist spotlight” monthly.
63.Hold “small business fairs,” similar to job fairs but featuring small businesses.
64.Sponsor a women’s “Pamper Me ~ Women’s Day at the Library” day. Local businesses gather to showcase their services or products (spa like atmosphere) with massages, “nibbles,” etc.
65.Create a “Local Resource Center” to promote small businesses.
66.Conduct staff development training on the SBA and other resources.
67.Make sure our library is, itself, supporting our local businesses.
68.Create a resource list for health insurance and assistance with health care needs.
69.Conduct a “self-image/self-confidence” workshop so job seekers are ready for interviews.
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