For Release: Immediately
Department of External Affairs
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710
FAX (215) 567-7850
Contact: Communications and Development
For Release: Immediately
Contact: Communications and Development

The Free Library of Philadelphia Launches New Job Seeker Resources

PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2021—A number of new resources for Philadelphians in search of a new job or career have launched through the Free Library of Philadelphia.

Workshops, career fairs, and a new website for job seekers are part of the Library’s expansion of services focused on the intersecting and overlapping needs of job seekers, emerging literacy-level adults, and those who lack the digital access and digital literacy skills required to obtain stable, reliable employment. With support secured by the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation from Citizens Charitable Foundation, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and PECO, these new and renewed initiatives for job seekers ramp up this month.

Using these grant funds, the Library will broaden and deepen our resources. The new programs will create a variety of on-ramps for job seekers that are accessible for all literacy levels,” said Margaret Triandafyllis, Workplace Services Supervisor.

Revamped Job Seeker Web Page and Database 
The Free Library has launched a web page dedicated to job seekers that features a calendar of webinars, workshops, and events; sign-up for resume review, mock interviews, and head shots; and career exploration tools. It will soon include a database of training programs that lead to opportunity occupations; and employer profiles along with testimonials from trainers and recent program graduates. This Career Training Database is made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Web page updates are made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and PECO. 

Philly Career Launch
The Philly Career Launch initiative aims to improve the economic prospects of unemployed workers and new job seekers by connecting them to and helping them qualify for occupations that are accessible to workers without a bachelor’s degree and typically paying above the national annual median wage. This day-long virtual workshop series will highlight these occupations in four industries: construction and trades, health care, information technology, and manufacturing. The day will combine information about the highlighted industries with discussion and individual reflection. This series will be presented Wednesday, May 5; Tuesday, May 11; Saturday, May 15; Thursday, May 20; Tuesday, May 25. Philly Career Launch is made possible by PECO and the Citizens Charitable Foundation. 

Career Fairs
Hosted at the end of each Philly Career Launch series, these career fairs will give job seekers the opportunity to have direct contact with training programs and employers, setting the stage for future employment. Philly Career Launch Career Fairs are made possible by Citizens Charitable Foundation. The first career fairs will take place Monday, June 14–Thursday, June 17, with additional dates to be added in Fall 2021.

Digital Literacy Support and Job Seeker Workshops
Using a new professional development program developed with our partner Media Education Consulting (MEC), the Free Library’s Digital Resource Specialists will be available to help job seekers plan and achieve their goals from digital access to support and training. The Free Library’s Digital Literacy Curriculum is made possible by Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation.

Made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, these virtual workshops, presented by Full Circle Group and currently running every month, cover topics such as résumé writing, active interview skills, job search strategies, networking, and using LinkedIn.

04/19/2021


Department of External Affairs, Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1189
(215) 567-7710, FAX (215) 567-7850