Work It! Makes It Happen: Jobs, Business, Finance
San Francisco Public Library, Calif.
Innovation Synopsis
With the unemployment rate at 12.5% in San Francisco, SFPL is stepping up to help patrons find pathways to economic recovery. We’ve launched Work It, an ongoing series of virtual programs and resources focused on supporting job and career seekers, personal finance needs and small business owners.
Challenge/Opportunity
At the core of Work It is financial security — whether it’s one’s income that was effected by job loss or reduced work hours, or a business that has to reconfigure itself in order to survive during COVID-19. Virtual skill-building programs and resources found on SFPL’s website support displaced workers and job seekers, help reframe businesses to expand their clientele and help inform the public of the adjustments and sacrifices they’ve had to make, and put people on track with budgeting and growing wealth.
Key Elements of Innovation
Focus is on skill building via robust offerings including virtual classes, online resources, book collections, databases, community organization referrals and reference by email to provide assistance for job seekers, businesses and residents needing financial education. Key partners are the SF Employment Development Department, Office of Financial Empowerment, Office of Small Business and community-based nonprofits including SF Reserve, the Senior Community Service Employment Program, Candid, BetterInvesting and JVS.
Achieved Outcomes
SFPL has seen an uptick in participation (400+ Zoom attendees monthly) in virtual programs and increased use of eLearning platforms that help job-seekers acquire new skills or find new career opportunities. There is high demand for education on personal finance and facilitated support for small business owners. Work It offers a wide range of programming to assist patrons in navigating these challenging times. Our patrons know that we have their backs and that we are here to help them weather this storm.
