Workforce development is a broad term encompassing everything from adult literacy/education, career development, and job seeking to entrepreneurship and small business development.
And public libraries, as trusted, accessible, and embedded institutions in their communities, are uniquely positioned to provide these types of resources and services for their patrons.
Here are some of the relevant resources libraries are likely to provide:
Library cards, which community members can obtain by simply showing proof of residency (such as a driver’s license), make resources available at no charge.
Extended evening and weekend hours.
Computers with high-speed Internet connections, printers, scanners, photocopiers, and other technology for public use.
Books and specialized online reference resources about occupations, schools, financial aid, resume-writing, interview techniques, employers, businesses, and skill development.
Meeting rooms, study spaces, and event centers.
MakerSpaces where patrons can learn about high-tech equipment and skills.
Staff who are trained to help people with information and technology questions.
Additionally, some libraries provide free classes on technology, job-searching, resume-writing, entrepreneurship, and more. Some host job fairs or networking events for job seekers or small business owners.
If your library does not yet offer these types of classes or events, or you are looking to expand your library’s offerings in this area, you do not have to create the programs on your own.
See below for curated lists of ready-to-use resources as well as information about local, state, and national organizations that are ready to build partnerships with you.
Start Here: Is your library new to thinking about workforce development services? Start here for ideas about how to learn about the workforce development landscape of your community.
Roundtables: TSLAC hosts quarterly Workforce Development Roundtables, where libraries across Texas come together, exchange ideas, and learn from each other about workforce development programs happening at their libraries. Attendance qualifies for 1 hour of Texas State Library Continuing Education credit.
Consulting: For additional questions, contact Workforce Development Consultant, Emily Hersh at ehersh@tsl.texas.gov.
Start Here
How to Start Mapping Your Workforce Development Community Landscape
Job/Career Service Providers
Every county in Texas has at least one adult education provider who is contracted by the Texas Workforce Commission to provide free classes for individuals looking to receive their high school credential (GED).
The provider may have additional classes or services too.
A CDC is a nonprofit, community-based organization that promotes economic, social, and physical development in underserved neighborhoods.
They are usually found in urban areas.
An internet search for “community development corporations near me” should let you know if there are any in your area.
Workforce Solutions provides career development and job placement services to anyone who walks in their doors at no cost.
They assist people with finding jobs, applying for jobs, and training for careers. They host career events and workshops both virtually and in-person. They offer apprenticeships, scholarships, and lots more.
Many Workforce Solutions offices partner with public libraries, hosting office hours, workshops, classes, job fairs, and more.
An internet search for “chamber of commerce near me” should bring back good results.
In larger communities, there may be multiple chamber organizations.
An EDC is a non-profit organization established to further develop the economy of a community. They attract investment, support local businesses, and focus on workforce and community development.
While individuals can sign up through the SCORE website to be matched with a mentor, local SCORE organizations often partner with public libraries as locations to hold their classes and workshops.
The SCORE website holds a wealth of free resources, including links to live events, business templates, and various on-line courses, such as the Startup Roadmap, a 12-module step-by-step, how-to guide for starting a business.
While some of the organizations you are most likely to find are listed above, it is by no means a complete list.
You, of course, know your community best and might know of other local service providers.
Or connecting with one provider might lead you to learn of additional organizations in your community.
Now That You Know the Landscape, What Are Your Next Steps?
Make a point to reach out to these organizations and teach them about your library's services, programs, and resources for job seekers and/or entrepreneurs/business owners. Continue to update them regularly so that they can share the most current information with their clients.
Learn the specific information about these organizations’ services: What are their upcoming workshops and events? Share these details with your patrons on a bulletin board, flyers, etc.
If a patron is looking for more support than you are able to provide, be ready to hand the patron information on a brochure, flyer, etc. about the other organization that can provide it. Or if needed, help the patron call the organization to make an initial appointment.
Similarly, if you create a brochure, flyer, etc. outlining your library’s services and resources and deliver it to the various community organizations, then they can hand it to their clients when referring them to the library for services beyond what they provide.
Also, if you’re hosting a large library event, you can invite partners to table there to advertise their services to attendees, and you can ask partners to invite you to table at any of their major events in order to promote the library and your offerings.
Staff from one of the organizations might be willing to present a program or workshop in the library that goes beyond the library staffs’ subject matter expertise.
The organization might be grateful to have access to a larger space or a new audience for their program or workshop.
Or maybe together, you create something new that neither of you could have created on your own.
