More than 400 people looking for a job, and a few entrepreneurs thinking about starting a business, connected with 25 local employers and resource agencies Tuesday morning at the “Community Resource & Career Fair” at the Main Library’s Conference Center.
The event grew out of “Project Compass,” a federally supported initiative that began in 2009 to encourage public libraries to provide services and resources for people who are seeking employment.
Jacksonville Public Library Administrative Supervisor Ava Barrett said JPL sent two librarians to a state training session for the program.
They learned that JPL was already providing many of the resources recommended by the program.
“The library is a resource for the community. We can help make sure people are job ready,” Barrett said.
“We are making resources available for people to find employment, but what good is that if there are no jobs?” she asked.
That realization led to the scheduling of Tuesday’s job fair.
“There are companies here that are looking for employees and people here looking for a job,” said Kathy Lussier, library spokeswoman.
The fair was sponsored by City Rescue Mission, the Jacksonville Urban League and the Beaver Street Enterprise Center.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Inc., Florida State College at Jacksonville and JAX Chamber also participated.
Employers included Adecco, ADT, Convergys, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Omni Hotels, UF & Shands, Waffle House, Wells Fargo and Western & Southern Life Insurance Co., among others.
The Main Library each Monday hosts WorkSource, which is First Coast Workforce Development, a publicly funded agency that provides workforce-related services to clients in North Florida.
Lussier said more than 7,500 people attended the weekly WorkSource job training and placement services in 2010 at the library and more than half of those people found a job.
Dwaine Sweet, WorkSource customer service representative, said help is offered free of charge for people who want to learn how to write a resume, how to use a computer to look for a job and how to develop improved interviewing skills.
He said the computer has become an indispensible tool for those who are looking for a job because many employers accept only applications submitted online. Internet access also is valuable for those who recently lost a job.
“Since September, the state has required people to apply online for unemployment benefits,” he said.
In addition to the WorkSource program from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each Monday, the Main Library offers the government job search open computer lab from 1-4 p.m. every Thursday.
The library’s website, jaxpubliclibrary.org, offers links to online employment and career resources and there’s a suggested reading list of traditional books for job seekers who like to turn the pages.
Combined, the employment-related resources reinforce the library’s motto, “Start here, go anywhere,” said JPL Director Barbara Gubbin.
356-2466