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Today’s Producers
Jennifer Peterson
Kendra Morgan
WebJunction
Community Manager
WebJunction
Program Manager
Melinda Ludwiczak
MELSA Project
Manager
Libraries, Jobs and Small
Business Webinar Series
2011
WebJunction and MELSA, the Metropolitan
Library Service Agency, Minnesota
Metropolitan Library Service Agency
St. Paul, Minnesota
Serves 8 Library Systems
Anoka County Library
Ramsey County Library
Carver County Library
St. Paul Public Library
Dakota County Library
Scott County Library
Hennepin County Library
Washington County Library
MELSA Jobs and Small Business
Task Force
Service Philosophy
Collaborate with community partners
Establish a seamless entry system
Where every door is the right door
Compare MELSA Area Library and
WorkForce Center Resources
Public Libraries
106 Libraries
4,736 hours/week
2,445 computers
WorkForce Centers
13 Centers
619 hours/week
284 computers
WorkForce Center Collaboration
Deploy WorkForce Center staff or affiliated
agency staff at public libraries
Deploy dedicated WorkForce Center computers
with software at public libraries
Joint meeting of WorkForce Council members
and public library directors
Cross train library staff and WorkForce center
staff
Advocate for public library representative on
Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Council
Workforce Services
Jerry Vitzthum
Director
Job Training Center
Anoka County
Workforce Investment Act
(WIA) System
• Federal legislation passed in 1998
• Job training reform that replaced the Job Training
Partnership Act (JTPA)
• Comprehensive workforce system providing:
o Job search assistance
o Assessment and training for eligible individuals
• Services targeted to job seekers, dislocated
workers, youth, incumbent workers, new entrants
to the workforce, veterans, persons with disabilities
and employers
• Features multiple partners in a “one-stop” location.
Universal
Services
Streamlining
Services
Seven
Guiding
Principles of
Workforce
System
Empowering
Individuals
State and Local
Flexibility
Increased
Accountability
Employer
Driven
Economic
Development
Workforce Service Areas
(WSA)
 Defined geographic regions funded
through WIA
 The number of WSAs varies by state
− 33 WSAs in New York
− One WSA in North Dakota and New
Hampshire
− Minnesota has 16 WSAs
Local Workforce Investment
Boards and Role
The Workforce Investment Act requires
local workforce councils are to enter
into an agreement with the designated
local governing unit which is called a
Local Elected Official/LWC Agreement.
Local Board Membership
Includes at a Minimum
 Individuals Representing Local
Businesses
 Labor Unions
 Educational Institutions
 Economic Development Agencies
 Community Based Organizations
The Chair of the Council and a majority of the
members must be representatives of the private
sector.
Regional Policymaking
Local
Boards
Workforce
Economic
Development
Local Boards are responsible for building and
maintaining a connection between workforce
and economic development.
One-Stop System
Policymaking and Oversight
 Develop a One-Stop policy for their
area by working with partners to set
priorities for the One-Stop System
 In Minnesota the one-stops are
known as WorkForce Centers
WorkForce Center Locations
One-Stop Services Include:
• Core Services
Available to any job seeker
looking to enter the job market
or to change jobs or careers.
• Intensive Services
For individuals who already
receive core services and meets
program eligibility for more
intensive services.
• Training Services
For individuals who meet
specified requirements and are
unable to obtain employment.
Core Services Include:
 Outreach, intake, orientation and initial
assessment.
 Job search, placement assistance and career
counseling resources.
 Information on supportive services in the
area, such as child care and transportation.
 Assistance in establishing eligibility for
financial aid for training and education
programs.
 Labor Market Information.
Intensive Services Include:
 Specialized assessments, diagnostic testing,
in-depth interviewing and evaluation.
 Developing employment plans.
 Individualized job search assistance.
 Group counseling, individual counseling,
career planning and case management.
 Work experience, internships and shortterm prevocational services.
Training Services Include:
 Occupational skills training.
 On-the-job training, skills upgrading and retraining.
 Customized training.
Forging New Partnerships
with Public Libraries
 Play key roles in addressing
employment related services
to job seekers, unemployed
workers and employers.
 High demand for these services.
 Library is natural partner
to maximize these
services.
Library Services
Marlene MoultonJanssen
Anoka County Library
Director
Anoka County Library
Demographics
Service
Area:
Rural
Urban
Suburban
How Does My Library
Get Started?
Create the framework
What can your library bring to the table?
Asset-based partnerships are the most
successful.
− What services is my library providing now to
unemployed or under-employed individuals?
− What resources can my library offer to a
one-stop?
− What are the potential barriers?
− Are there any additional resources
my library can leverage,
i.e. LSTA grants?
What Are Some Examples of the
Resources My Library Might Offer?

Public access computers available for online job
applications and to develop/refresh resumes.

Career research materials.

Libraries accessible to job seekers throughout
local communities.
More Resources My Library
Might Offer
 Study and conference
rooms where
individuals
and groups can meet.
 Staff at libraries
make referrals.
 Online resources
available 24/7
through the library.
Create the Framework
Develop a relationship. Start small and
demonstrate the library’s capabilities.
 Contact your local one-stop to arrange a
tour for library staff. You’ll be impressed
with what you find!
 Provide a list of library resources including
reference materials and online resources.
Create the Framework

Develop cross-training in available resources for
staff from both the library and the one-stop.

Offer an institutional library card to the one-stop.

Consider the benefits of adding the one-stop
resources to your library’s collection and vice
versa. Your residents will find it less stressful to
use common tools.
Build on Your Framework

Get the leadership of both your library and the
one-stop involved.

Provide the one-stop with the results of your
analysis of the resources your library brings to
the table.

Ask if there are other ways your library can help
the unemployed and underemployed in your
community.

Ask your one-stop if they would be interested in
your library
becoming a partner.
Build on Your Framework

Develop a memorandum of understanding.

Meet regularly to ensure resources are updated.

Post materials at one-stop about library
resources and make library card applications
available to one-stop customers.

Provide the list of top job search internet sites
from one-stop in your library and on your
library’s website.
Go Beyond

Explore the possibility
of joint applications for
grants for training
partnerships or one-stop satellites.

Find ways to redevelop your website to provide
easier access to employment resources.

Collaborate with other libraries to offer online
training.

Seek your one-stop’s advice on improvements to
your services.

Advocate for your local one-stop. They’ll do the
same for you!
More in the MELSA Series:
May 17: Libraries Partnering to Support
Small Business and Entrepreneurs
June 21: Foreclosure, and Bad Credit
and No Job, Oh My!
Archived: Understanding
Unemployment Insurance and Impact
on Your Library Customers
Stay Involved
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webjunction.org/workforce-resources
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