Program
While politicians tout low unemployment numbers, library staff witness firsthand an economic environment where people continue to struggle and employers cannot find qualified workers. The conversation must shift from simply finding employment for jobseekers to providing individuals with the tools to level up their skills and achieve meaningful, living-wage careers. This session will empower attendees to develop workforce development initiatives and partnerships. Representatives from state library agencies and researchers from Rutgers University will discuss how to communicate effectively with stakeholders, re-envision library services through the lens of workforce development, and improve data collection to prove the value of libraries as partners.
ALA Unit/Subunit: ASGCLA
Meeting Type: Program
Cost: Included with full conference registration.
Open/Closed: Open
Andrea Levandowski
Consultant, Small Business Development and Technology
New Jersey State Library
Lisa Shaw
Rural & Small Library Specialist
Maine State Library
Tammy Westergard
Deputy State Librarian / Assistant Administrator
Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records
Stephanie Holcomb
Research Project Coordinator
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Elizabeth Iaukea
Workforce Development Librarian
Washington State Library
John DeBacher
Director, Public Library Development
Division for Libraries and Technology, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction