ASRT Meeting Minutes, Topic: Employment Search Support

July 21, 2016
Adult Services Roundtable

Topic:  Employee Search Support

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Kelly, Springville Road
Leslie, BPL
Debbie, Leeds
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Pam, Southside
Susan, Trussville
Deidre Sims, Bessemer
Michelle, Irondale
Laura, BPL
Special Guest:  Bill Carlson, InfoGroup, ReferenceUSA

NEXT MEETING:  September 15, 2016 at Bessemer Library TOPIC:  Maker spaces, Unique places/collections

How do we keep our patrons from going on Internet Explorer and googling "resumes"?  We talked about ways to intervene with patrons so that we can direct them to proper tools in searching for jobs online and in building resumes more efficiently and effectively.  Too many patrons are finding resume builders online, spending too much time building something, then finding out the service charges for the template.  It was suggested that we investigate the possibility of posting a link on the library desktop.

Microsoft Resume Template is one of the basic tools we have to offer patrons.  

Other things we can do is direct them to Learning Express (we are very much in the mode of "use-it-or-lose-it" with many of our database tools).  Learning Express provides high-school equivalency information, software tutorials, adult learning, and a career center.  There is also a great number of testing practices within this resource.

For example, did you know that ALL basic food service entry-level applicants have to pass a Food Safety Certification through Jefferson County? These certification tests are available online through the JeffCo Health Department:(http://www.statefoodsafety.com/food-handler/alabama/jefferson-county)

Some library employees encourage patrons to visit the Alabama Career Centers.  There, people are trained and paid to attend to employment needs such as basic resume building, certification help and completion, and many other aspects of prospective employment. https://joblink.alabama.gov/ada/r/resources

Another example of libraries in action is Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.  Their Tech Department leads classes on resume building.  One noted thing they mention to prospective applicants is the importance of including "keywords" in your resume.  By that it means that now, computer programs are reading resumes and those computers are programmed to look for specific terms in a resume -- called Optical Character Recognition.  OCR means if your wonderful resume doesn't mention specific things, it will never even reach a human for further consideration.  VH works to help patrons include vital terminology so that their resumes can get past the computers and into the hands of humans.  (Learn something new/frightening everyday!)

Another resource for our libraries to use is Homework Alabama.  Surprisingly, they provide support/help 10 am - 10 pm job search assistance.  Once you've arrived at the Homework Alabama website, you can visit the "Adult Education and Career Center" to learn more.  

I brought up the question of whether patrons are asking for the use of computers for online interviews through webcams, Skype, or Google Hangouts, etc.  No one said that they had had too much of this but there was concern brought up about patrons needing quiet spaces to conduct interviews using the library's WIFI (bringing their own equipment). It was noted that librarians would benefit from a community listing of available quiet/conference rooms available to the public in spaces other than the library.  For example, Habitat for Humanity's ReStore in Irondale provides a free quiet conference room to the public.  This might be a valuable resource to market to Chamber of Commerce offices too.

Please post here or on our Facebook page if you have other employment search support tools not mentioned here.  The more ideas, the better!!

Next, InfoGroup's ReferenceUSA database presented by Bill Carlson.

Bill's business card (if anyone wants to contact him for more information.)



Bill highlighted tools on ReferenceUSA that could be used by prospective job hunters.  For instance, on the front page of RefUSA, you see a selection for US Jobs/Internships. Evidently, InfoGroup generates content for this section *everyday*.  By using the site Indeed.com, which is a job search aggregate, they can merge job openings with their own research into companies and provide a depth of information to the job seeker that can help them in the search.  


For several screenshots of links on ReferenceUSA that are key for patron job searches, please go to this document in Google docs.

We will be having a very special guest on Thursday, July 21st at the Adult Service Roundtable meeting.  The meeting starts at 10 am with a discussion on Employee Search Support, then Bill Carlson from Reference USA will be showing us expert tips on his database.  Bill is traveling quite a distance to meet with us, so please consider making it over if you possibly can.  Please bring your ideas, tips, resources for helping our patrons find their dream jobs, then stay for some advanced tips that may be new to you.  

Where:  Hoover Library's Children's Programming Room
When:  10 am to noon (?)
Who:  EVERYONE!!!

JCPLA Staff Day Awards





Librarian of the Year


The Librarian of the Year award will be presented to a professional librarian for outstanding achievement and accomplishments in librarianship within Jefferson County.


Eligibility Any working librarian serving in a professional capacity in a Jefferson County public library who holds a Master’s degree in library information studies.





Paralibrarian of the Year


The Paralibrarian Award shall be presented to an exceptional library employee who has contributed to the advancement of library service in Jefferson County.


Eligibility


Open to any library support staff working in a Jefferson County public library. This individual may not have obtained a professional library degree.


Nomination Process Nominating letters should name the candidate, nominator, and describe in 250 words or less why the nominee is deserving of recognition. Additional letters of support are welcome but not required.






Anyone working in a Jefferson County Public Library may submit a nomination for Librarian of the Year and Paralibrarian of the Year. Nominations are due July 5, 2016. Submit nominations to April Wallace, JCPLA Parliamentarian at adeaton@bham.lib.al.us.

Topic:  Using Social Media to Your Advantage

Thursday, May 19, Hoover Public Library

Next Meeting:  Thursday, July 21, 10 am in the Children's Programming Room of the Hoover Library.  Topic:  Employment Search Support, also:  Demonstration of advanced search tips on ReferenceUSA.  (Representative coming in special from out-of-town.  Please try to attend!!!!)

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Joel, Hoover
Teresa, Southside
Ginny, Leeds
Kelly, Springville Road
Jon, Avondale
Maura, Trussville
Deidre, Bessemer
Michelle, Irondale

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, GoodReads.com, NextDoor.com, Meetup.com - what are your favorites?  Which does your libraries utilize?

Joel talked about a session at ALA in San Francisco presented by NYPL about their usage of all things social media.  Fortunately, they have dedicated staff.  One of their main tips was to avoid simply using social media as an events calendar.  People will quickly learn not to pay attention if that is all you have to offer.  They suggested fostering intellectual curiosity.  For example, Hoover posted something about NASA's astronaut applications and their efforts to find qualified applicants.  Response was amazing.  Another example is that if your book group is reading a particular author's work and they are actually on social media, it behooves you to tag them.  When Joel posted that Hoover would be discussing Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, she responded that she would love to Skype with us if that was possible.  You never know about the response.  Another post about Cornell's Bird Call Library was re-posted and shared widely.  Sources for book-related posts abound through publishers, news agents, etc.  Being re-posted and shared is vital to getting your name brand out there as someone worthy of a person's screen time.

Other success stories come from other branches such as Pinson, whose very own "Socks the Library Cat" has a wonderful following.  Another library posted pics of their pet lizard "holding" a library card.  Photo ops make for great, quick posts.  Joel spoke of responses from around the world at all hours of the night and day.  Although he usually tries to respond in a timely fashion, responding to questions from social media is important and hopefully can be done during the workday.  He spoke on the use of both Facebook and Twitter.

He emphasized that if you are going to undertake anything other than Facebook, it is important to research and learn what is unique about each social media vehicle -- not just repost Facebook content to Snapchat, etc.  Unique audiences choose their platform for specific reasons and do not want to just see the same content over multiple platforms.  For example, Twitter is for short messages and posts under 140 characters.  SnapChat is for images, video, etc.

An up and coming app that Joel recommends is the List App created and promoted by actor/writer BJ Novak.  Evidently it is for lists of all kinds -- perfect for a library to use to promote materials.  As of now, they do not have a desktop application, but it is expected down the line.  (Pinterest is also useful for a visual display of books or pictures from programs.)

Jon spoke of posting Cornell Lab's annual backyard bird count.  Things like this are intellectually stimulating and create wide interest throughout the community.  Another networking opportunity came along for Joel when he posted his musical acts performing at the library and a new whole network of musicians became aware of the library's performing space and have contacted or come to the library in regards to future performances.  For those more popular focused groups, such as Hoover's "Game Night" followers, it was beneficial to create a separate FB group in order to channel talk about new games, schedule changes, etc.

Of course, all of this not only takes up staff time, but also takes time to grow an audience/following.  However, it can reach new audiences and that is critical for public libraries.  Kelly pointed out that she became aware of scheduling your FB posts ahead of time to help in time management.  Joel spoke on having to sometimes be hyper-vigilant of "inappropriate" posts or followers to the library's many outlets.  Self-policing is necessary in order to moderate your social media.  "You can't totally be in control of your social media narrative," stated Joel.  There may be inappropriate language and/or photos that may cause harm.

Michelle brought up that you can also purchase FB advertising that can target a specific message.  It is relatively cheap and effective.  You can create a niche for specific types of activities or performances and with FB advertising, you can look at the analytics in real-time.  You can choose up to 10 factors such as geography, age, sex, zip code, etc. with a minimum cost of $1/day.

Shannon spoke on other social media venues such as Ravelry.com for knitters and crocheters.  This network is perfect for those craft groups and/or reaching a specified audience.  Also, NextDoor.com can be useful in targeting just your neighborhood for social gathering or new services you wish to get to a targeted audience.  GoodReads.com was mentioned but it was also stated that since Amazon.com had bought the site, it was much less useful.

Please feel free to post your own experiences and uses of social media so that we can have an ongoing conversation on this topic.

Please note the following updates and changes.

UPCOMING MEETINGS:

May 19, 2016 at Hoover Library
  Topic:  Using Social Media to Your Advantage

July 21, 2016 at Hoover Library (change:  Children’s Programming Room)
Topic:  Employment Search Support  

Product Review:  Reference USA (expert tips from Bill Carlson)

September 15, 2016 at Bessemer Public Library

Topic:  Maker Spaces & Unique Places/Collections

November 17, 2016 at Springville Road, BPL
Topic:  Library PR, promoting events, collections

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Attendees:
Shannon, Hoover
Pam, Hoover
Kelly, Springville Road
Leslie, BPL
Maura, Trussville
Caleb, BPL
Debbie, Leeds
Holley, EOL
Deidre, Bessemer
Leigh, North B'ham
Terri, Vestavia Hills

Thank you to Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest for volunteering their location for our meeting.  I am looking for a volunteer guest library for our September 15 meeting. Hopefully that location will be decided soon.

General announcement:  During our July 21st ASRT meeting (topic: employment search support) we will welcome Bill Carlson of Reference USA to discuss more in-depth uses for the database, along with particular uses for employment searches.  Please plan to join us so that we can fully utilize this resource.

Our topic today was Adult Outreach, Programs and Collections.  Most libraries spoke on their long-existing book groups, some of which take place in Assisted Living facilities, Senior Centers, or as, Homewood and Vestavia Hills does, at a local restaurant.  These seem to have loyal followings.  It was noted that if you do go to other facilities, it might be helpful to check out fiction book kits from the Hoover Library. These check out for six weeks and have over 10 copies of each book title.  Here's the link to the latest kit titles.  Terri talked about sponsoring a local group at the Cahaba Brewing Company as a way to start an outside book group. This group continues its "Literary Libations" on the last Wednesday of every month and is no longer affiliated with VH. She also talked about a very loyal group of attendees to a book group that currently meets at the Pita Stop in Cahaba Heights monthly.

Holley spoke about her library's book talks done about twice a year.  The staff there presents the latest reads and gives out wish lists so that participants can be placed on holds for whatever they want.  Other libraries have done this for community groups, garden groups, etc.  Sometimes, it is more of a presentation of services to an audience that may be unaware of what happens at their library.  Sometimes this is because a neighborhood or community is far-flung from the nearest branch.  Raising awareness is a crucial part of our jobs, of course.

Another outside activity is Hoover's example of Trivia Night at Beef O'Brady's restaurant. This is held the second Monday of every month and is open to the public.  Lauren develops individual trivia questions based on a particular theme, always trying to incorporate some library trivia throughout. This has garnered quite a following.

That was about all of the programs mentioned that are out in the community, but we did talk about other efforts to bring patrons into the library such as the very popular adult coloring programs.  These are very passive, minimalist programs that run on Hawaiian Punch and cookies!  Other popular efforts involve fiber arts programs, lessons and talks along with crafting such as sewing (both Springville Road and Leeds have sewing machines at their libraries!)

Caleb mentioned that as a result of one individual requesting a trivia contest to be held at the library for their family reunion, this will be developed into an offering to other local family reunions.  All departments participate and can last all day for the family members.

Besides programs, we also discussed particular special materials that are currently circulating at various libraries.  Hoover has Nooks, Samsung tablets, adult designer board games, adult video games, and Internet hotspots.  Other libraries do have Internet hotspots that are extremely popular.  BPL Central branch also checks out Art pieces to the community for a two-month circulation period.  Although Hoover's experience with these new types of collections so far is new, everyone agrees it has brought in an untapped dynamic of the community to the library.  

What are your experiences with alternative outreach or alternative collections?  Have you read about other libraries doing something innovative?  Please feel free to visit the Facebook page for JCPLA Adult Services Roundtable for an open discussion!

Don't forget:  This Thursday's (3/17/16) meeting is at the Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest.  Our meeting will be in the Community Room which is the first left as you enter the lobby beginning at 10 am.  Our topic:  Adult Outreach, Programs and Collections.  Not guest speaker, just us!  Let's have a lively discussion!