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The Public Library as Innovator: Statewide Partnership for Economic Development (presented at PLA) Workforce woes and economic adversity: The local public library is there, both as sufferer and as remedy. Collaboration is imperative in such a climate! The South Carolina State Library has brought libraries to the table with workforce development specialists and small business support agencies, resulting in replicable innovative programs and web resources that spur local economic development and promote library sustainability. Learn how to make your library a "solution institution!" Benefits and Learning Objectives Program participants will learn three key lessons from the South Carolina Business & Workforce Development Initiative (WORKSC): How to incorporate business reference and good community business programming into the everyday mindset of the public library with a special emphasis on the training component; how to partner with business, workforce, literacy and adult education contacts to maximize the library's ability to partner in these areas; and, participants will observe an online portal that supports resources and services for local small businesses and Workforce Development Resources, emphasizing a replicable template, and including free tools to enhance communication, marketing and public relations. Participants will discover how to bring together the interests of rural and urban communities in support of local economic development efforts.TRANSCRIPT
The Public Library as Innovator:Statewide Partnership
for Economic Development
Presented by the South Carolina State Library: Denise Lyons, Nancy Rosenwald & Kathy Sheppard
In The Beginning
• 2007 Brought a New Director to the State Library: New Director = New Goals
• Libraries are essential to…– Education & Cultural Heritage– Economic Development– The wellness of SC Citizens– Family Literacy– Good Governance
2008 Business Services Survey
80% of SC Public Libraries reported up to 25 business-related questions per month
50% of libraries felt uncertain about where to refer patrons
80% of libraries would be willing to host workshops on library resources for the business community
Focus on Small Business
• Some libraries doing business outreach• Was not a priority for others• Who can help us develop a message about the
importance of Economic Development? Opportunities for libraries?
How about a Librarian?
Economic Development Seminar
• Held in May with speaker and facilitator Christine Hamilton-Pennell (known for “economic gardening”)
• Librarians learned how to “put information-seeking skills to work to foster entrepreneurship and encourage business growth.”
Mutual Understanding
Community agencies have a partner in the library
Libraries to understand their role in Economic Development Get those Librarians off the desk and in the
community LIBRARIES ADD VALUE
to a community for many reasons…this is just one.
Facing the onslaught: Are YOU ready to do your part?
South Carolina Finds a Way
Flickr:ndevil
Kicking Your Services Up a Notch!
Food of Love Productions LLC, http://www.emerils.com/
Business Services:
and DON’TS
DO’s
Union County, South Carolina
• The Union County Carnegie Library is the only public library facility in Union, SC
• We serve a rural population of approximately 29,000• The Bookmobile serves the small towns of Jonesville,
Lockhart, Monarch, Carlisle, Buffalo, Cross Keys and West Springs
• Each of these towns was once centered on a textile mill, and each of the mills is now gone.
• Sumter National Forest comprises approximately one third of the county.
Union County Carnegie Library
Facts about our community Our residents are:
• 53% Female • 47% Male • 22% Unemployed • 25% Disabled • 68% White • 31% Black • 79% over the age of 18 • 23% live below the poverty level • 68% are obese • 34% have high school diplomas • 8 % have bachelors degrees
Initial Plans to Promote:
Small Business DevelopmentSupport to EntrepreneursAccess to business related resources and websitesWorkshops for local business communityPartnerships with local commerce agenciesSupport for individuals seeking licenses, permits and
registrationsLinks to human resources: real estate agents, SCORE
volunteers, business counselors
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July 2005– June 2006 July 2006 – June 2007 July 2007- June 2008 June 2008 - july 2009
Library Visits ( 167% increase FY06-FY09 ) Web Site Visits ( 435% increase FY06-FY09 )
Computer Use ( 154% increase FY06-FY09 ) Total Circulation ( 32% increase FY06-FY09 )
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July 2005– June 2006 July 2006 – June 2007 July 2007- June 2008 June 2008 - july 2009
Actual Needs
• Help accessing on-line applications• Information about government funds to
support re-training and continuing education• Assistance creating e-mail accounts• Who can teach me how to use a mouse,
create a resume, write a business letter?• JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!
Workforce Assistance!
• Staff shift their efforts to one-on-one computer support
• Swiftly discover where to locate on-line applications for local job openings
• Create brief handouts and lessons for those needing support
• Learn to teach and assist• Discover when to say NO
Solutions
• Develop partnership with Workforce Investment Board
• Support is secured:– Additional computers– Trainer to work with patrons needing assistance
Results!
• Good News: we received both computers and trainer
• Bad news: public distrusts Workforce Staff and will not work with them
• Important News: library staff are trusted and respected teachers and information experts
Librarians as First Responders:
• Library staff recognized as empathetic, supportive, involved and effective problem solvers
• Library viewed as third space• Both provide vital resources to community as
economic resources dwindle
• “Americans will go back to work at their public libraries”—David Goble, Director, South Carolina State Library
Changing Course
• Original Project is Refocused
• Major component is Workforce Development – Project overlap is Small Business
Resources/Services
To The Rescue!
WorkSC
• Target: Unemployed adults and those in transition.
• Purpose: assist SC citizens develop/enhance workforce skills and find jobs.
• Project overlap: Small Business Development
• Components: Trainer, Portal, Marketing
www.worksc.org
WORKSC 2010
• Think broadly in terms of employment• Work in partnership: public libraries, Office of
Human Resources, Project Compass & SCSL staff (communications, library development, web, DISCUS)
• Offer marketing support, including social media