Helping Job Seekers at Your Library

2011 Annual ConferenceAustin, Texas

Theresa Tongio Holden Technical Services Supervisor Palestine Public Library 903-729-8087 tholden@palestine.lib.tx.us

Contact Info

How to create programs to help job seekers at your library

How to find and work with partners How to create class materials How to promote your new program I want to make this an easier and faster process

for you!

Objective

Palestine, Texas is located in East Texas about 120 miles east of Dallas. Service population is

Two companies relocated, general economic conditions, wanted to do something for people in area, but what? With resources we had. No one on staff HR. Decided to move forward with what could do/good at. Computer training. And find partners to help with the rest.

Background

Find partners with HR background to help Palestine Public Library (PPL) partners are

Workforce Solutions East Texas, Workco Staffing

How did PPL find partners? Library Director is a Rotarian. From Rotary

Club, she had met the supervisor at Workforce Solutions East Texas.

Conference call w/Donna Prasatik of Workforce Solutions who wanted a written proposal for her managers which PPL submitted

Make sure to go through your organization’s and your partner’s appropriate hierarchy for approval.

PPL’s director supported the project. She met with the City Manager who wanted the library to go forward with the classes with the intended partners.

Workco became a partner because their organization wanted to become involved in the project after hearing about it from the Workforce.

Finding Partners

Workforce Solutions East Texas provided the computer lab space.

Workco Staffing provided seminars from HR professionals

Local Workforce office Economic Development Council Chamber of Commerce Organizations w/HR personnel Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis

Finding Partners

PPL’s classes learn computer basics and how to improve

keyboarding skills  learn to use Microsoft Word to type, open, format,

and print a resume learn how to use Excel to create a basic

spreadsheet Learn how to create and use a free email account Learn how to search for employment online and

submit an electronic resume

What do I teach?

Learn how to use ResumeMaker to create a resume

tholden@palestine.lib.tx.us Email me for examples of class handouts. I

will send you my ppts.

Where do I get class materials?

Microsoft Online Training http://

office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/training-FX101782702.aspx?redir=0

Yahoo Mail Help http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/mail/yahoo

mail/

How to create class materials

Use the software yourself. Ex. ResumeMaker. Create a resume and note steps in the process

Consult with colleagues. Ask for their advice, ask for their materials

Purchase materials from companies which specialize in writing courseware

NETLS Teaching Basic Computer Skills Consulted extensively with colleagues who

have taught Listen to the students in your classes. MS Office Certification http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/

certification/mos.aspx

How do I learn to teach computer classes?

Let the world know! Write press release Post on organizations web site and social

sites Distribute to media

Promoting your classes

Press Release Sample

Email me tholden@palestine.lib.tx.us for my press release you can use as a template.

Contact your media department.

Contact the media office of your organization. They should have contact list for local newspapers, radio, tv stations

Create your own media list. Contact area newspapers, radio/tv and ask who should receive the press release

Don’t forget to include institutions where job seekers may turn for help. Ex. churches

Media

Theresa Tongio Holden Palestine Public Library 903-729-8087 tholden@palestine.lib.tx.us

Contact me!

Gracias! Ten un buen dia! Have a great day