DEVELOPING STORIES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES: BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY S SERVICES FOR YOUNG JOBSEEKERS AND ENTREPRENEURS And public libraries are also serving as a lifeline for people trying to adapt to challenging economic circumstances, providing technology training and online resources for employment, access to government resources, continuing education, retooling for new careers and starting a small business. Libraries not only benefit their users individually. They also act as community hubs, bringing people together and connecting them to worlds beyond their communities. Libraries offer more than just books; they are community centers where everyone has access to programs and services that fuel lifelong learning. Molly Raphael, 2011-2012 President of the American Library Association Presented by: March 2013 Kerwin Pilgrim Brooklyn Public Library Director of Adult Learning
Outline Introduction BPL Overview and Background Brooklyn Demographics Service Overview and Statistics Business and Workforce Development Youth Services Young Jobseekers Developing Young Entrepreneurs
According to a recent report published on New York City libraries: One way or another, New York needs to better leverage its libraries if it is to be economically competitive and remain a city of opportunity. Center for an Urban Future s Branches of Opportunity January 2013
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) Overview BPL Overview Serves 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn 5 th largest public library in the US 60 locations with Central and Business & Career Library Mission/Vision Strategic Goals Education Access Culture Inclusion Space Stewardship
Service Overview Circulation Print: Books and Periodicals Non-Print: Multi-Media (DVDs, Audio books, CDs) Digital: e-books, e-video, and e-audio Programs Adults (including seniors) Young Adults (13 to 21) Children Technology Computer Internet and Wireless Internet Laptops Databases
Business and Workforce Development Access Business & Career Library Hub Location Comprehensive Collection Education and job information Business and investment information Periodicals, serials, and newsletters Online resources Popular Databases Career Cruising (Career Assessment and Exploration) Learning Express Library (Test Preparation and Job Readiness) Reference USA (Market research) Plunkett (Industry Research) Morningstar (Investment Research) Small Business Resource Center (Sample business plans) Electronic Services Email Reference Chat Reference Telephone Reference
Business and Workforce Development Services One on One Services (provided by librarian staff) STEP one on one job readiness counseling Book a librarian one on one research help Popular Workshops Resume writing and interviewing Starting a business and finding financing Computer Basics and Using Microsoft Word Special Grant Programs PowerUP! Business Plan Competition Growing Dollars and $ense Financial Literacy education Partnerships Workforce One job placement centers in two libraries Dept. Labor employment counseling and orientations (one on one) SCORE business counseling (one on one) Office of Financial Empowerment financial counseling (one on one) NELP legal business counseling (one on one) Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce monthly member meetings
Sample Business Programs Marketing with New Technology Series: Email Marketing, Blogging, Crowdsourcing, Marketing with Mobile Apps, (198) Start Smart Series: How to Start a Specialty Food Business; How to Start a Fashion Business; How to Start Day Care Business (185) You Can Do It Too Entrepreneur Series: Success Stories from Brooklyn Business Owners (157) Entrepreneur Expo: Meet & greet with business service and assistance providers; meet with business mentors. (175) Legal Ease Series: Hiring Employees, Keeping Records, Paying Taxes (189) Using Google Tools to Grow your Business (160) Start Up Series: How to Start a Business, How to Start a Non-Profit (261) Tech Essentials with Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (115) Financial Empowerment Fair (90) Money Matters Series: Lenders Roundtable; Crowd Funding for Start Ups (90) Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs with Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project (87)
Outcome Story Start-Up Help at Your Local Library Inc. Magazine.com June 3, 2010 Stacey Toussaint, President and CEO of Inside Out Tours, Inc. won $15,000 for having a first place plan to launch a 'cultural tourism company, offering bus and walking tours of NYC, specializing in Brooklyn.' Toussaint said 'The goal of entering and winning the business plan competition gave us an incentive to take classes at BPL's Business Library and utilize Brooklyn's small business centers rather than just rely on our own resources. We received training in marketing, creating financial statements, and writing a business plan. We also made valuable connections with other competition participants that have resulted in strategic relationships.' Runner up Elissa Olin, Founder & Owner of Green in BKLYN, an eco-friendly home goods & gift shop in Clinton Hill said 'The prize money was the most visible and recognized resource. But an even longer lasting influence on the success of the business has been the media support and coverage. It gave us a leg up and created not only a buzz, but momentum, which has been instrumental in the success of the business in its first and, typically, most difficult year.' Sales [are] up. more than 60% higher year-to-year. "The Library Helped Me Start My Business Women s Day March 15, 2008 The great thing about the Brooklyn Public Library Business Library is they not only sponsor this contest, but also give valuable workshops on how to write your business plan, a workshop on the resources at the library, and provide lists of outside resources to help start your business. It is a one-stop shop.. The resources I found most helpful at the library were the ability to reserve business books online and conduct industry-specific research through the library's database, which also can be accessed from home with a library card and a pin code; the numerous workshops offered by professionals in subjects such as marketing, accounting, organization, time management, business plan basics; and last but not least, the valuable advice of the librarians.
Young Jobseekers: A Snapshot
User-Centered Youth Services
Developing Young Jobseekers Online Resources Career Cruising --Career Assessment and exploration Learning Express Library test for education and job preparation Resources guides list of websites, agencies, etc. Programs Workshops-college and career readiness College and Career Fairs onsite and at offsite outreach Growing Dollars and $ense for Teens financial literacy Volunteer opportunities MIP Multicultural Internship Program-- Today s Teens., Tomorrow s Techies (T4) Internships Jobs Paid internships by external institution in variety of departments Unpaid internships for high school and college students Part timers/pages shelve library materials Computer Aides assist computer users and in programs City wide Summer Youth Employment Program-work in various areas
Partnerships/Collaboration Workforce 1 Expansion Centers at BPL NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development Youth Coordinating Council NYC Young Men s Initiative Get Your ID campaign Young Adult Pre-GED classes Literacy classes and internship Dept. of Education HIVE network Information sharing and coordination
Developing Young Entrepreneurs T4 PowerUP! Teen Virtual Investment Club Young Entrepreneur resource guide My Own Biz website
Building Communities Libraries promote literacy for children and adults Libraries provide training and opportunities for young adults to grow and succeed Libraries provide information, resources, and referrals to help young adults make good decisions Libraries support workforce and economic development Libraries build communities by building people and their stories.
Stories and Outcomes Continue T4 Blog Virtual investment Club blog MIP blog
Thank You Questions Contact info. Kerwin Pilgrim k.pilgrim@brooklynpubliclibrary.org