Beyond Access/IREX initially worked in Nigerian public libraries from 2015 to July 2017. The first phase of the intervention (2015-2016) had involved building up the capacity of librarians in nine libraries in the area of digital skills for the purpose of providing sustainable, inclusive access to information communication technologies and imparting 21st century skills, especially to young women who might otherwise be excluded. This was done in partnership with the Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and five NGOs. The project was expanded in the second phase (2016-July 2017) to seventy (70) libraries. Beyond Access/IREX partnered with local 2 NGOs, 2 Library Champions, LRCN and USPF. The second phase built on the already attained outcomes of the project but with a deeper focus on equipping librarians to know and lead their communities in identifying and exploiting economic opportunities and working alongside partners where possible.

Meanwhile, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicate that the unemployment rate in Nigeria has been steadily climbing for up to nine consecutive quarters having moved up from 13.9 percent in the third quarter of 2016 to 14.2 percent in the last quarter of the same year¹. In order to support and fit in with the efforts of the government in the creation of jobs and attainment of the development agenda, it became imperative for public libraries to offer services that will increase the employability of their community members and help them identify and utilize economic opportunities.

Furthermore, public libraries all over the world are learning that the provision of needs-based services in response to the challenges of their user communities rather than emphasis on the resources they house is what will make them stand out as relevant and community assets in the 21^st century.² Thus, beyond literacy activities, Nigerian public libraries under the aegis of the Beyond Access/IREX project in Nigeria have started offering services specifically targeted at helping people to acquire new marketable skills and upgrade their digital skills as well as identify and exploit economic opportunities.

References

1.National Bureau of Statistics (2017). Unemployment/Under-employment Report.

www.nigerianstat.gov.ng/download/564

2. Clare County Library (2013). A strategy for public libraries 2013-2017.

www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/library/developments/Public_Library_Strategy_2013-2017

The post Nigerian Public Libraries Helping Job Seekers first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Career Conversations is a monthly program hosted during the school year, with each session focusing on a different field. Some of the job types that were covered during the 2015–16 school year included medicine, STEM, trades/skilled labor, law, business, military and public service, and creative arts. Each session features a panel of field professionals available to answer questions. Some of these questions were given to the speakers before and asked by staff; others were taken from the audience.

Amberlyn Russell, teen services specialist, took the program over from a former colleague. To acquire speakers, she emails coworkers asking for contacts who might be willing to speak with a group on each particular field. Using these connections, the organizers are able to find a wide variety of speakers from all these different careers.

When she was querying the panelists, Russell found one of the questions particularly interesting: “What is the most useful secret skill you need for your job?” No matter what the field, the most common response was communication and people skills. Russell said it was also fascinating to see the huge variety of careers within the different fields. For instance, the legal and criminal justice panel had a district attorney for El Paso County, an investigator for the Colorado Springs Public Defender’s Office, a lieutenant with the Colorado Springs Police Department Violent Crimes Section, a self-represented litigant coordinator, and a member of Pikes Peak Library District security.^[1]

When asked what she attributed to the success of the program, Russell said the advertising that was sent out to the schools and across the library district helped to get the word out, and library staff constantly talked up the program to teens. She also cited the great volunteer panelists who came in, willing to share information with attendees and keep them engaged and curious.^[2]

If you’re interested in offering this kind of program at your library, Russell has a few words of advice. First, partner with the local schools so the program can be advertised more widely. To find panelists, reach out to the community to find as diverse a panel of members as possible. Finally, fashion questions that highlight the different careers.^[3]

Eager for more job training opportunities to provide teens in your community? Check out some of our other career-oriented blog posts below!

Resources

­­­­­­­College Shopping at the Library

Career Resources: Not Just For Adults

Reference

[1] Amberlyn Russell, teen services specialist, in an interview by author, June 15, 2016.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

The post Career Conversations: Job Information for Teens first appeared on Public Libraries Online.

Mess up. Fess up. Dress up. This came from a “how to deal with the media” workshop led by Detroit-area consultant and former broadcast news director Mort Meisner. Bed bugs, flashers, fraud, or controversial weeding of collections? While libraries are often held in the same high regard as baseball and apple pie, they are not immune to the scrutiny of the media especially if it will capture eyeballs or sell papers. The bottom line is that we are human beings serving other human beings and while we often cannot control what others do we can control how we react and respond. Further, while we may not have been the ones to “mess up,” we need to be straightforward about what happened, develop a consistent message about the facts and the plan to move on. To this day I still carry Meisner’s ragged business card in my wallet with basic interview reminders and the key words, “brevity, emo-tion, positive points, preparation.”

No surprises. Shortly after becoming a new director, Donald W. Green, the “senior” member of my library board in terms of influence and life experience (double my own) kindly provided a multiple-page sheet of tips and suggestions for my future career success. At the top, centered and in bold type was quite simply, “NO SURPRISES.” The message was clear and simple but easy to forget. My board members should never be asked about something major going on at the library—good, bad, or otherwise—about which they are unaware. While trustees are busy people and have their own lives and do not need a detailed account of the day’s events, regular communication and a heads up have always served me well. I have provided this advice, in turn, to my management team and staff. If they’ve had to call the police, if a customer has had a meltdown, or if they hear a community leader make a comment about the library good or bad, a quick heads up can make a huge difference in how I can respond.

Always be polite. As the senior administrator, I’m often the last in line for the most challenging of customers after even my most seasoned of staff members has done everything humanly possible to ease the situation. I’m also the lightning rod for the hotheads who want to speak to the person in charge right before the next call to the President of the United States. How to deal with such cases as the library director was one of the questions I asked several of my fellow directors shortly after I started in the position. I’ll never forget the basic, straightforward advice I received from Josie Parker, “always be polite.” She went on to say that taking a breath and remaining calm and focused will help avoid further escalating the situation. And, if after listening patiently and professionally, the customer is still out of control, it is fully acceptable to tell the customer that (s)he will need to call back or return when, “we can engage in a civil and productive conversation.” The four-way test. For those of you who are fellow Rotarians, this ethics code is probably at the tip of your tongue and my plaque with this inscription faces me when I look up from my computer. It asks quite simply, “Of the things we think, say or do . . . Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” You don’t have to be a Rotarian to use the four-way test but it always causes me to stop and think when I’m facing a tough decision, deciding on how to deal with a problem customer or conflict between staff members.

Always say “thank you.” If this sounds like something a mother would say you are right. Early in life, whether it was a few dollars inserted in a birthday card from a distant relative I had never met or a gift of a hand knit sweater with a neck that barely stretched over my fat head, my mother always made sure that I sent a written thank-you note in return. I have tried to carry this lesson into adult-hood, whether it is to thank my board for a raise or to drop a quick email to a legislator for taking the time to talk to me about a library issue. So as my term as PLA president comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude to:

• PLA’s Executive Director Barbara Macikas and her amazingly talented and hard-working staff;

• my outstanding colleagues on the PLA Board: Carolyn Anthony (Past President), Vailey Oehlke (President Elect), Melinda Cer-vantes, Melanie Huggins, Rivkah Sass, Manya Shorr, Pam Sandlian Smith, Felton Thomas, Jr. and Jay Turner;

• our 200+ member volunteers who carry forward the work of the association, in particular those who said “YES” when receiving my request to be appointed this year;

• Deborah Jacobs and her team at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for the career highlight of being involved with the Global Libraries Legacy Partner Initiative;

• and members like you!

You are the reason PLA exists and your membership and active involvement in our association are the most effective way to keep this the best profession for making a living making a difference. Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve as your president over the past year. I look forward to a great year ahead under the leadership of Vailey Oehlke.

The post Pearls of Wisdom first appeared on Public Libraries Online.