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Feature Stories |
By Jan Haines, Library Consultant, State Library of Ohio and Renee Williams, M.L.S., First Assistant Reference Services/ Technology Center Administrator, Stark County District Library
 Ohio public libraries are essential resources for many job seekers during these tough economic times. People are posting resumes online, using job search sources on library websites and attending library sponsored programs and job fairs. At the Stark County District Library, Renee Williams has developed programming for job searchers and coordinates entrepreneur and home-based business fairs as well as an annual opportunities job fair. The library also includes a job search help page on its website.
In 2009, the State Library of Ohio awarded an Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant to the Stark County District Library to conduct a statewide series of workshops for librarians helping community members cope with unemployment using the methods and materials Renee Williams developed for the library.
A total of 144 librarians from over 70 Ohio public libraries attended the workshops. Renee Williams conducted six full-day programs and Delores Rondinella, Technology Training Coordinator at Stark County District Library, presented the final two programs. The workshops were held in public libraries at Warren, North Ridgeville, North Baltimore, Wilmington, Grove City, Crestline, Waverly and Maple Heights in the spring and summer of 2009.
Topics covered at the workshops included:
 Workshop resources are posted on WebJunction Ohio to help other librarians in Ohio respond to the needs of job seekers in their communities.
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