Libraries and the economy

Everyone knows that our economy is slowly getting back on track - there have been some positive signs, but jobs and job creation is on everyone's mind.

Did you know that the Library is one of the best resources in the community for job seekers? More and more employers are only posting job openings online. Many require and will only accept online job applications. So if you are currently unemployed and can't afford Internet access, how do you find work?

YOU COME TO THE LIBRARY. We have free Internet computers, free Wifi access, information on resume writing, how to interview effectively, career information, etc. We are your own local job center, with friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Just this past weekend, we had a patron who had been out of work for two years come in to the library to let us know that she had found a job. She had used our computers, worked with our librarians and found resources that helped her.

Libraries do this all the time. But our legislators and our governing agencies don't know about it. When a Jobs Bill comes up, are libraries remembered as supporting our economy? No. This needs to change.

How do we do a better job sharing our stories and letting our Senators, Representatives, City Council members, and other governing bodies know what we do and why we are ESSENTIAL services?

I'd love to hear what you think.

And if you care about your library, take a moment to call or e-mail your Senators and Representatives and urge them to support libraries and library jobs, so we can help our economy!

Thanks, I will now get down off my soap box.