The library’s Job Help Center was an outcome of the economic downturn of 2010. Thousands use the Center’s resources to browse job listings, prepare resumes or access training. In 2015, library staff recognized a missing link: As a trusted community crossroads, the library had the potential to directly connect job seekers with employers. Staff attended job fairs around the region to meet employers and developed a program to meet the needs of employers while connecting library customers with opportunity.

The key innovation was a shift from thinking of the library as a source of information to thinking of it as a resource center, connecting people with opportunities and programming to support success. Today, we host two annual job fairs featuring 40 employers and drawing more than 400 job seekers. We also host smaller monthly fairs. Each is preceded by Readiness Week, during which library programs assist applicants with resume building, personal branding, interview prep and even the loan of attire and accessories.

To date, the library has developed and maintained over 40 strong partnerships with employers and the list is always growing. Employers seeking to fill entry level through more senior positions are consistently impressed with the quality of candidates they meet at the library. Many report hiring on the spot or soon after and applicants report the same type of success. Perhaps the most telling outcome is that employers always come back, often committing months in advance.