[ad_1]
Jones is the director of the San Diego Public Library and lives in South Park. Burns is the Director of Learning for the San Diego Workforce Partnership and lives in Pacific Beach.
When thinking about things vital to the San Diego economy, several images come to mind – our military, biotechnology, beaches and sunshine and libraries.
Yes, libraries.
Did the last example surprise you? It shouldn’t.
San Diego public libraries are vital to the information and education of the local workforce. Add to this our longstanding relationship with the San Diego Workforce Partnership, and it’s not surprising that our libraries are driving our economy.
Books are the beginning of the story.
As much as libraries are known for books and reading, through this partnership libraries are demonstrating that they are hubs of free public personnel services that incorporate advanced technologies and resources for the community. In fact, this has become the standard for San Diego public libraries – as we should all imagine libraries to be.
Take the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common in the East Village, for example.
Here the OliverMcMillan I CAN! The center offers spacious and specialized workplaces and staff trained to assist people with disabilities. The IDEA and Innovation Labs, Career Online High School, and the upcoming Microbusiness Center are also examples of resources out there to support people and meet their needs so they can seize greater opportunities. A full-service career center is located on the fifth floor, made possible through a collaboration with the San Diego Workforce Partnership.
All Career Center services are free and include job search support, career coaching, study support programs, CV preparation, trial interviews and career workshops. Through collaborative ventures with organizations like the San Diego Workforce Partnership, which provides critical support for local workers, all people have access to career paths and jobs they love.
A recent family career exploration day at Valencia Park / Malcolm X Library is another example of this extraordinary connection. This free event expanded the services of the library and the San Diego Workforce Partnership across the community, including professional skills and career development resources.
Together, these teams offered research-proven resources that helped people organize their interests and discover meaningful careers in which they were more likely to perform well and be happier with their jobs. Children and adults learned together and accepted each other’s energy while discussing their shared hopes and dreams for the future.
What an excellent example of library history. It’s only part of a shared commitment to supporting a strong workforce. The library was and always will be to support the economy – it is dynamic, serves diverse communities, and is a catalyst for change.
But none of these services are possible without adequate funding.
The OliverMcMillan I CAN! Center, for example, is possible because donors from the San Diego Public Library Foundation helped open the amazing Central Library and this important laboratory. The Library Foundation is also exploring how we can scale and further fund programs like Career Exploration Day at Valencia Park / Malcolm X Library. These collaborations position libraries as a key element of the economic support that supports the work-ready San Diegans.
Perhaps best summed up by Joe Miesner, the senior librarian at the Central Library: “Books are just a powerful part of the library. We’re also a place you can come for free resources. We are a trusted hub and clearinghouse for the community so that all people can feel safe coming here and accessing these free resources. ”
A world-class city has a strong economy that is driven by a strong workforce. Libraries are an integral part.
Thankfully, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and city council members agree, as their continued support shows. As Mayor Gloria said in his State of the City address at the San Ysidro Branch Library, “This library is a symbol of who we should be as a city. It’s a nice reminder of investing in traditionally underserved neighborhoods and a testament to the perseverance of the community. “
San Diego is a world class city with a world class library system. The collaboration between the library and the Workforce Partnership will create entry points for so many more people to build a prosperous future for themselves and their families. With many jobs now allowing more flexibility in work environments, libraries are a great resource for those who work remotely.
The result will be world class – more people in jobs they love, who are financially healthy, and have better social, health and economic outcomes.
Just as we imagined.
[ad_2]
Source link
