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G2S Project Code: 2021-IL-87839
State: Illinois
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
HIGHWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Project Director
Director Name: Laura Ramirez
Director Phone: (847) 432-5404
Director Email: Lramirez@highwoodlibrary.org
General Information
Title: ARPA-Ready to Work / Listo Para Trabajar
State Project Code: ARPA-22-7033-PAN
Start Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: The Highwood Public Library provided employment services, essential resources, and training to those seeking employment to build a better-equipped workforce in our community following the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ongoing community assessment revealed that the biggest challenges faced by the local community were a lack of awareness of the resources available to support job readiness and how to utilize technology to prepare for employment. Our goal was to fully position the Highwood Public Library to meet the needs of workers who lost jobs as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The library’s workforce development project expanded programming to assist residents in obtaining job-related skills necessary for employment, expanded access to technology and resources for local residents seeking jobs, and provided technology kits including laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots that could be checked out from the library. This allowed the individuals hardest hit by the pandemic to build the skills and receive the support necessary to become job ready.

State Goal: Goal 2: Lifelong Learning.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$50,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$50,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to use resources and apply information for employment support.
Employment
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Ready to Work / Listo Para Trabajar
Narrative: The Highwood Public Library positioned itself to meet the needs of workers who lost jobs as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. To do this, the library initiated a two-fold strategy to expand programming which assisted residents in obtaining job-related skills necessary for employment, and to expand access to technology and resources for local residents seeking jobs.

Job skill development courses included basic computer skills, composing email communications, online job search training and mastering the Microsoft Office Suite. This critical training was offered not only to English-speakers, but also Spanish-speaking residents who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.  In addition, one-on-one technology skill development assistance was provided as the library worked with individuals who had no technology skills and needed help to improve their digital literacy skills.

In order to effectively engage the very hard-to-reach Spanish-speaking population, the library performed extensive community outreach.  The Community Outreach Specialist provided ongoing community engagement to educate marginalized, unemployed community members on the resources available to them at the library.

The library created Technology kits that patrons could check out from the library. Technology kits included a Wi-Fi hotspot for internet access and a laptop computer preloaded with appropriate word processing software. This ensured that patrons had access to technology and the Internet even when the library was closed.

The Highwood Public Library worked with partnering agencies including Lake County Workforce Development and the College of Lake County to connect job seekers with support for their resume development and specific employment opportunities.

Intent: Improve users' ability to use resources and apply information for employment support.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Other
Format: Combined in-person & virtual
Other: Staff provided one-on-one help to patrons seeking employment. They also offered technology kits that patrons could check out so that they would have the tools they need to research and apply for jobs.


Quantity


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Below Poverty
Unemployed
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: HIGHWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Address: 102 HIGHWOOD AVENUE
City: HIGHWOOD
State: IL
Zip: 60040
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
88% (377/430) of individuals reported increased confidence utilizing the digital resources necessary to pursue or obtain employment. 95% (299/315) of individuals have demonstrated an increase in the job-related digital skills necessary for employment. Technology kits with computers and hotspots were created and circulated allowing patrons to have access to necessary resources for job seeking.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Many individuals experienced limited understanding of the technological requirements necessary in order to navigate employment opportunities. This program allowed the Highwood Public Library to create a bridge for vulnerable members of our community to build their digital literacy skills and confidence in pursuing new job opportunities.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The library continued to change their model to find a methodology that worked best with the community to be served. The library had multiple approaches to engage this hard-to-serve population: through an in-depth bilingual marketing campaign, with structured workforce classes, and through walk-in hours. The library found it most successful to have welcoming bilingual staff readily available to connect patrons with the program in an informal, low key manner.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Job Searching, Employment