Every day, libraries across the country empower job seekers to access employment services and training, leading to better jobs and improved career pathways. People use libraries to gain digital skills, access new technologies, pursue vocational and educational programs, and start new businesses. Libraries are established centers for learning and advancement and hubs for community connection and referral. PLA’s workforce development initiatives help libraries nationwide respond to these critical needs with strengthened workforce collaborations and expanded services.
Continuing Education
Click links below to access presentation resources such as recordings and handouts.
Public Libraries: Partners in Workforce Development Webinar Series
As the nation begins recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people are seeking opportunities to build skills, find and improve job prospects, and prepare for in-demand careers. Originally presented August–October 2021, the Public Libraries: Partners in Workforce Development webinar series showcased public library and partner workforce and career services from around the country. Each webinar tackled a different topic related to workforce development and provided practical tools and tips for libraries to plan, deliver, promote, assess, and advocate for these services to advance equitable economic recovery. The Public Libraries: Partners in Workforce Development series was co-developed by PLA and Libswork, a national networking group on workforce and small business development.
Libraries and Workforce Development: Connecting the Dots Between Your Patrons and Public Policy
Originally presented with the National Skills Coalition on March 30, 2021, this webinar features national policy experts providing big-picture context, data, and resources to help library staff to strategically connect with local, state and national workforce policy conversations. Learners get an overview of major federal policies that support workforce development and find out how libraries fit into this conversation.
150 Million New Technology-Oriented Jobs and the Skills Needed to Get Them
Originally presented on November 5, 2020, this webinar presents the problem we are faced with solving along with steps to solve it. Using labor market data and skills insight from dozens of countries, presenters identify ten jobs that are well positioned to continue to grow in the future. Hear about time-limited resources to integrate into the library’s programming and communications, such as free learning paths and LinkedIn Learning classes, GitHub Learning Lab tools, and low-cost Microsoft Certifications.
News
- ALA Praises Introduction of Workforce Legislation (December 2022)
- Public Libraries Role in Workforce and Small Business Development Examined (October 2022)
Resources
From ALA and PLA
- Career Navigators and Libraries (PDF)
- PLA’s Digital Literacy and Skilling for Employment initiatives help libraries provide technology and other skills training for job seekers and entrepreneurs
- The ALA and PLA initiative Libraries Lead with Digital Skills includes over 20 state success stories about how libraries helped small businesses, entrepreneurs, and job seekers, as well as links to Grow with Google tools
- Project Outcome includes resources for performance measurement, such as surveys related to job skills and economic development, and case studies
- ALA Public Policy and Advocacy’s Workforce Innovation page
Other Resources
- Department of Labor's CareerOneStop online resource center
- Report and Case Studies: Public Libraries' Role in Workforce and Small Business Development
- Urban Research Institute’s Understanding Local Workforce Systems
- Find your nearest American Jobs Center
- Find Workforce Development Boards in your area
Get Connected
- PLA Workforce Development/Small Business Interest Group (login required*)
- Join LibsWork library workforce development LinkedIn Group
- PLA Staff: Larra Clark, Deputy Director, lclark@ala.org
*You will be asked to login with your ALA website login and password to confirm your current ALA/PLA personal membership. If you’ve forgotten your login information, you'll be able to retrieve your username/password or create a login if you don't have one from the "Login" page.