WebJunction hosted a series of webinars produced by MELSA, on topics related to serving the workforce in your community:
- January 27: Understanding Unemployment Insurance and Its Impact On Your Customers. One simple change in library hours can have an unexpected impact on a large number of library patrons: Unemployment Insurance (UI) customers. On January 27, we will be joined by an Unemployment Insurance Specialist from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, who will explain out how the service works. In addition, Alice Neve, Public Service Manager at St. Paul Public Library, will describe how your library can support UI customers. Using her library as an example, she will describe how to collaborate with local UI offices, analyze challenges, and implement solutions throughout your library system. This webinar can be accessed through the archives. Download a Staff Competency Assessment for more information.
- April 20, 1-2 pm: Working With Your Workforce Center. Workforce Centers operate with myriad funding streams to support the unemployed, but not every job seeker qualifies. Learn how this impacts your library patrons and what libraries can do to make better connections for our customers. Representatives from Anoka County, Minnesota will describe how the Job Training Center and the Anoka County Library forged an innovative collaboration to make sure every door is the right door for job seekers. Presented by Jerry Vitzthum, Director of the Job Training Center at Anoka County; Marlene Moulton-Janssen, Anoka County Library Director and Monica Campbell, Adult Services Manager at Anoka County Library. This webinar can be accessed through the archives. Download a Staff Competency Information Sheet.
- May 17, 1-2 pm: Libraries Partnering to Support Small Business and Entrepreneurs. This webinar will explore examples of library community partnerships and services designed for all types of entrepreneurs. Find out how SCORE has helped 9 million small businesses through their online and in-person services available at 364 locations nationwide. Learn how SCORE collaborates with public libraries to offer classes and one-to-one confidential counseling to help entrepreneurs start and grow their business. And hear how Hennepin County Library works with a variety of municipal and nonprofit economic development agencies to support entrepreneurs at the library. Moderator: Melinda Ludwiczak, MELSA project manager. Presenters: Marshall Jones, SCORE counselor; Tom Schaefer, SCORE counselor; and Nancy Corcoran, senior librarian, Hennepin County Library. This webinar can be accessed through the archives. Download a Staff Competency Information Sheet.
- June 21, 1-2 pm: Foreclosure, and Bad Credit and No Job, Oh My! In these tough economic times patrons faced with increased financial challenges need help and are too afraid to ask. Discover how you can connect library patrons to trustworthy financial assistance information and learn how three county government departments in Washington County, Minnesota collaborated to get reliable and just-in-time information to county residents. Presentations will explore how partnerships are established, programs are organized, and provide recommendations for other libraries and community partners. Moderator: Melinda Ludwiczak, MELSA project manager. Presenters: Joe Manion, public services division manager, Washington County Library; Nicola Viana, homeownership specialist at the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA); and Brian Huffman, Washington County Law Librarian. This webinar can be accessed through the archives. Download a Staff Competency Information Sheet.