BlogJunction » collections

Leading the workforce step by practical step

blg3 — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 22:17:33 +0000

With the national unemployment rate inching upwards for the last three months, it looks like job seekers will continue to head for the nearest library for guidance. We know that libraries across the country have put tremendous energy into helping unemployed and underemployed patrons find their way through the demands of the 21^st century job market. Through Project Compass, we are building a Workforce Resources knowledge base of strategies, solutions and case studies.

There are so many patron demands to be met and so many ideas to explore that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other and take the next step. That’s why we are pulling just a few good Practical Tips to Help Job Seekers to the surface of the Job Seekers sub-topic. (Look for the short list in the lower left rail.) We will refresh the list periodically.

We’re pulling these tips from a growing reservoir of practical ideas resulting from Project Compass’ reach through its workshops and programs. If you have sipped from the short list and are eager for more, here are 3 sources:

60 (plus) Ways Libraries Can Help Job Seekers: these ideas were all generated by Project Compass trainers working in a handful of the most economically hard-hit states.
56 Things you (your library) can do for workforce renewal: many of the ideas in the “60-plus” document, but presented in PowerPoint slides and organized by themes.
Online Workshop #1 Resource Summary: through their lively exchanges in the forums, participants in the first Project Compass online workshop contributed a host of ideas and resources to address basic computer skills training and to meet the needs of job seekers.

The good ideas keep flowing Project Compass-way. Look for the summary from workshop #2 in early August—it’s focused on support for entrepreneurs and financial literacy. We’re also getting great survey feedback from over 1000 library staff who have participated in f2f workshops. Stay tuned.

Webinar: Shine a light on your digital collections

Jennifer — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:44:06 +0000

With such great turnout for last week’s Digitization & Preservation Symposium, I wanted to be sure folks know about the free upcoming OCLC webinar on September 22, Shine a light on your digital collections.

Michael Scott, Maryland Digital Cultural Heritage Coordinator, will discuss how she uses everything from social media to WorldCat.org to increase the visibility of their online collections.

Also hear from Suzanne Butte, OCLC Digital Services Consultant, about how other libraries, museums and archives use a wide variety of ways to increase awareness and promote their digital collections.

New Group: Floating Collections

Jennifer — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:53:00 +0000

Word via the PubLib listserv this morning from Thomas Quigley of the Vancouver Public Library.

Just to advise that there is now a group devoted to the topic of floating collections on WebJunction. It’s open to everyone, whether you’re in the thinking stages, or in full implementation. I ‘founded’ it as a result of feedback received at PLA 2010.

Thomas and Mary Kierans convened a Talk Table on floating collections at the PLA 2010 conference and discovered that it’s a hot topic right now!

Thank you for creating the Group: Floating Collections, Thomas!

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