Work Matters at the Library - Support for Business and Employment
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National Framework A national steering group oversees a framework for public library services and cooperation with stakeholders. A working group with library representatives provides guidance. Pilot programs confirmed core library services and key partners like employment services. Services and Resources Libraries provide workspaces, internet access, materials and expertise to support job seekers and businesses. Resources include books, e-resources, online courses and skilled researchers. Events include job seeker workshops and programs for small businesses. Partnerships A coordinator in each library leads national rollout. Guidelines support cooperation with partners like education/training boards and employment services through information sharing, joint programs and referrals. The Wexford libraries experience shows successful partnership events,
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Work Matters at the Library - Support for Business and Employment
- 3. National Framework • National Steering Group ▫ Chaired by Department of Rural and Community Development ▫ Representation from: DES, DEASP, DJEI, CCMA, City & County Librarians, LGMA ▫ Develop, implement & oversee a national framework of services, support and co-operation for public libraries and stakeholders
- 4. National Framework • National public library working group ▫ Chaired by City and County Librarian ▫ Representation from senior management of local authority library services and Libraries Development, LGMA
- 5. Pilot Phases • Pilot local authorities • Role for Public Libraries confirmed • 4 Core Services identified • Key partners identified ▫ Intreo, ETB, LEO, CIS
- 7. Infrastructure: • Dedicated, branded space • Free Internet and Wifi Access • Printing, copying and scanning • Hot desking • Meeting space
- 8. Resources • Books, trade magazines and journals • E-books and e-magazines • Online courses • Language learning • Online business resources
- 9. Expertise • Information professionals • Skilled researchers
- 10. Events and programming • Workshops for job seekers • Workshops for small and solo businesses • Talks and lectures
- 11. National Rollout • Work Matters Co-Ordinator in each Local Authority • National Guidelines developed under Steering Group • Work Matters National workshops
- 12. Co-operation • Protocols setting out areas for cooperation ▫ developed by National Steering Group ▫ facilitating structured local engagement ▫ generating buy in from local partners ▫ scope for building further locally • National Protocol signed with Education and Training Board • Protocols in development with CIS & Intreo
- 13. ETBI & LGMA
- 14. Protocol Cooperation Elements • First point of contact / main co-ordinator • Regular Information exchange sessions • Cross Promotion and signposting • Co-hosting events and other relevant activities • Identify opportunities for additional co-operation
- 16. Work Matters spaces at Wexford and Gorey
- 20. Online Resources
- 21. Subscription Resources provided by Wexford Libraries Vision-net: (access from anywhere, use Wexford Co Co webpage) • Company information (Ire, NI and UK) • Annual returns • Mortgages and charges • Risk watch • Directorships • Commercial judgments Business.ie (please enquire at library desk) • Database of 300,000 Irish businesses for B2B marketing Mintel (access from any library PC, please ask at desk for printing and downloading) • Market research • Consumer research • Brand research
- 22. 2017: Work Matters in Wexford Libraries • 20 events in Wexford and Gorey attended by approx. 360 people • Vision-Net- 11,321 queries • Mintel- 451 reports accessed • Business.ie- 4000 business records downloaded • RBDigital eMagazines- 9478 issues • Borrowbox- over 17,000 eBook & eAudio checked- out • Universal class- 423 new courses started
- 24. Relationship with key stakeholders • Understand their role • Promote stakeholder understanding of our services • Mutual signposting- access to different client bases • Develop shared initiatives and events
- 25. Testimonials “The partnership between Wexford Libraries and the Local Enterprise Office Wexford through the Work Matters Programme has been of enormous benefit to hundreds of job seekers, entrepreneurs and small business owners in County Wexford through business training workshops, access to research and online learning, and business networking. We look forward to building on this successful collaboration.” Tom Banville, Head of Enterprise Local Enterprise Office Wexford
- 26. • Job seeker events in the library • Familiarisation sessions with Intreo staff • Referral letters • Information stand and presentation at Intreo events Intreo
- 27. Lessons: • Networking= money +/ audience • Programming= information value + profile • Needs someone to drive the service all of the time- outreach is key • Staff training and refreshers essential • Manage expectations- don’t over-promise and under-deliver
- 28. For more information: • Libraries Ireland http://www.librariesireland.ie/work-matters/ • Wexford County Council www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries www.wexfordcoco.ie/business • Nicola McGrath, Senior Executive Librarian and Work Matters Coordinator for Wexford Public Library Service nicola.mcgrath@wexfordcoco.ie
Editor's Notes
- Our Strategy for Public Libraries 2013-2017 and our new Public Strategy identify the important role of the library in supporting business enterprise and employment.
- There is a Steering group in place :Representation from Department of Education and Skills, Department of Employment and Social Protection, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, City and County Management Association , City and County Librarians, Local Government Management Association
- There is also a working group chaired by City and County Librarian and representation from senior management in LA Public Services.
- It was piloted in 15 LA’s. Surveys of the members of the public and discussions with Local stakeholders confirmed there was a role for the Public Library service in supporting members of the public in business enterprise and employment support and complementing the activities of the stakeholders It was confirmed there is a role for Public libraries in this area of business employment and enterprise
- The four core areas identified were Infrastructure : – workspaces, computers, printing, wi-fi, meeting rooms Information – Books, magazines and online services Expertise – staff knowledge and training Events and programmes
- Books- selection of “how to” and inspirational book stock relevant to employment and business development. Public Librries also offers trade magazines and journals. Mango Languages Proquest Libraries Ireland Online resources
- The National Steering Group identified that the development of national agreement on the elements for cooperation at local level would support the implementation A national protocol agreement was developed working with DES and signed in Dec 2017 The Steering group are working with library services and local CIS and Intreo offices in Offaly, Carlow, Wicklow, Louth and Fingal to identify areas of cooperation which will form the basis of national protocol.
- Signing of Protocal between ETBI and LGMA
- Regular Information exchange sessions for staff of each partner and a system to ensure regular updates and visits for staff between the CICs and libraries Each partner to promote the services of the other partner to clients who might benefit from these when appropriate To direct clients to the partner for access to relevant services, facilities and resources
- Recent Department of Rural and Community Development investment programme funding allowed us to add additional hot-desking and collaborative meeting space in foyer of Gorey Library- photo of installation- to be completed this month. Signage- banner, hotdesking facilities, Work Matters business and employment specific bookstock in their own area. Leaflet display also in area.
- Free to library members- easy to join. proof of address and photo ID. E-services registration clinics in each branch once per month and we will get you started.
- Practical Irish guide to inspirational business leaders/biographies
- CDP and upskilling opportunities- saves € for businesses- techskills, accounting and marketing for owner/managers and their employees. Self-paces and all online. INTREO refer their clients to this resource and it is mentioned in library pitches to their clients.
- Funded by Economic Development Unit-explain why? NB part of supporting the WCC objective in delvoping the local economy, encourage=ing entrepreneurialism and supporting research and progression of start-ups. Importance of support Our USP among business community- stakeholders, local companies and start-ups/- has strengthened our Work Matters offering immensely. These are subscription only services (cost of mintel reports to those without subscription) that need significant information retrieval skills. We provide the expertise, research time and they are available free of charge. Original consumer research Customised enterprise nevents based on reports
- Holos- local award-winning natural skincare company- one of a three part series of business talks/case-studies where established entrepreneurs speak on a specific topic and impart knowledge and lessons to nascent entrepreneurs. “PR and Media for business start-ups” topic of Niamh’s talk. A series with Alan Maher consulting on CV preparation, interview skills and core aspects of starting your own business. Library give pitch on Work Matters at start and mention themed bookstock display Outreach and networking- our librarians attend business expos/ enterprise week events at every opportunity. Bring along branding-pull up banner and leaflets. This was a Bank of Ireland Enterprise Week event for start-ups. List examples of events- Alan Maher Series CVs, Interview skills, one-to-one advice sessions. regulatory issues for small businesses, how to conduct market research, business plans, customer care. Acorns- Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups- a Department of Agr. Initiative which provides early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland with knowledge, support and networking opportunities.
- Key contacts, brief frontline staff of both orgs on role, remit and services provided by partner body. Cross referral between organisations- will be informed by knowledge of stakeholder sServices and remit from those initial familiarisation sessions.
- INTREO have held general info sessions in local library (a registration event where they will be given appointment to see caseworker) Provided a space during office refurbishment We give a library pitch outlining core Work Matters services to unemployed/underemployed stress free services, friendly welcoming staff and help at hand with accessing PCs, using wi-fi, printing and scanning at reasonable rates, info on how to join, universal class for skills development and CV. Invitation to join library and provide a dedicated staff member and area for this- breaking down barriers to access. Intreo gave library staff an insight into the barriers some of their clients face- literacy levels can be low and functional eliteracy, CV templates and printing CVs, online job applications- how to email a CV for a job application. All the things library staff help customers with on a daily basis. Case-workers and area manager from DSP attended info and training session in the library on library serivces- included tour of facility- benefits were greater understanding of services and confidence in referal to same. We were invited by Intreo to host a stand and present at Intreo u25s Jobs Week. They gave clients referral letters to encourage them to access library services. Library staff were given specific guidance and customer service training in how to assist this target group in a welcoming and inclusive manner. “My experience of working with the library service has been very positive - the information sessions that we held in,the library increased awareness of the services available both for our staff and our customers. We also brought the library into our own office also a worthwhile event. I would consider that our services fit well together and I welcome working with the library in Wexford going forward to help with promoting the value of the library as a free, available service open to all”.
- Huge sea change- all about planting seed for future information need- SYOB/Chamber/ Networking events/Owner Manager groups. Whole new client base- build from ground up Staff training- identify champions in each location. Professional expertise and research skills of library staff are key to the success. Training provided to Financial Controllers of WCC to find and download vision-net reports for court hearings etc. Training also provided to LEO staff, LEO clients and tutors via SYOB courses, Owner/Manager groups, INTREO staff, WWETB, Chambers of Commerce Recruiting more champions of the service- casting the net even wider to reach non-users. I wasn't fully aware of the range of services available from the local Library service. As a result, I have become a very strong advocate of the library service and I actively promote their services to my clients particularly the Work Matters initiative. This is truly a wonderful service provided by dedicated and highly professional people” Future plans Improve evaluation process Talk to EDU about adding to suite of electronic resources- add – on products available. Further collaboration with INTREO- staff awareness sessions about further developments in DSP online registration process and how library can assist- what to expect from INTREO referrals. Investigate possibility of collaborating with local digital skills for citizens training provider on a work matters module or even a course targetted at a specific group such as unemployed or start your own business. We recently had one on egovernment services for the farming community. Huge sea change- all about planting seed for future information need- SYOB/Chamber/ Networking events/Owner Manager groups. Whole new client base- built from ground up. Library service has become relevant to whole new section of community. New programming stream and new customers to boot. Raised our profile within local authority- specialised skills- set of benefit to economic development. Staff training- identify champions in each location. We are currently training the trainers and give local teams opportunity to do outreach, give presentations, build skills and make local links with stakeholders and potential customers. Give clients realistic expectations of research capacity. Give us as much time and as much information about query as possible.