Tag Archives: Workforce Investments Through Local Libraries (WILL) Act

WILL Act Reintroduced in House

Posted on January 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Last week, Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) reintroduced H.R. 113, the Workforce Investment through Local Libraries (WILL) Act for the new 113th Congress.  This legislation proposes including libraries in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), and is co-sponsored by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and Rep. Jared Polis (CO-2).

H.R. 113, is the exact same WILL Act bill that was introduced in the 112th Congress in April, 2011.  This legislation will amend the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to include library representation on state and local workforce investment boards as well as assure coordination of employment, training, and literacy services carried out by public libraries.  Furthermore, H.R. 113 also recognizes public libraries as an allowable “One-Stop” partner and authorizes new demonstration and pilot projects to establish employment resources in public libraries.  This will allow library users access to workforce activities and information related to training services and employment opportunities, including but not limited to resume development, job bank web searches, literacy services, and workshops on career information.  The goal of the WILL Act is to allow libraries the access to WIA funds to continue to provide job search support in communities all across America.

The ALA Washington Office would like to thank Reps. Holt, Grijalva, and Polis for their continued support of libraries in reintroducing this legislation in this new Congress.

About Jeffrey Kratz

Jeffrey Kratz is the Assistant Director of ALA Washington Office's Office of Government Relations (OGR).

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IMLS holds Hill Briefing on Workforce Investment

Posted on October 5, 2012 by | Leave a comment
IMLS Briefing on Workforce Investment

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) speaks at the IMLS briefing. View more photos on our flickr page.

Recently, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) sponsored a Congressional briefing titled “How Libraries Support Workforce Development.” The briefing featured several speakers from a variety of libraries and agencies that have seen firsthand the important role libraries have been playing in helping patrons find work and offering training to small businesses.

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) was in attendance and remarked on the many needs libraries serve in communities across the country including workforce development. Rep. Holt re-iterated his hope that the principles laid out in the Workforce Investment through Libraries (WILL) Act, which he sponsored, will be included in the authorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) when it is brought to the House floor.

MaryEllen Firestone, Director of Library Services at the East Brunswick Public Library in New Jersey spoke about the success they’ve had by opening a business resource center.  After offering classes like “Facebook Marketing for Your Business,” the library saw an explosion of interest. One woman who had been laid off after more than 30 years on the job and had never operated a computer used the business resource center to take classes in basic computer skills. After learning skills like operating word processors and navigating the internet she was able to obtain a new job, putting her training to use.

Kevin Perez, Project Manager for the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, provided data on workforce development supported by libraries in New York state and nationally. He stated 96 percent of New York libraries offer workforce development services and 92 percent offer job databases and other online resources.  Mr. Perez emphasized that libraries offer unintimidating access and carry few social stigmas. And with more public libraries than McDonald’s restaurants nationally, libraries are a key access point in so many communities.

Jane Brady, Director of the Middlesex County Office of Workforce Development in Middlesex, NJ and Linda Carlisle, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources both spoke to the importance of government offices partnering with libraries on job-searching and training programs.

For more information on workforce development programs happening in libraries across the country, visit IMLS’s website.  For more information on the Congressional briefing please visit IMLS’s blog.

About Jeffrey Kratz

Jeffrey Kratz is the Assistant Director of ALA Washington Office's Office of Government Relations (OGR).

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Posted in Funding, OGR, Public Libraries

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ALA thanks U.S. Rep. Holt for introducing Workforce Investments Through Local Libraries (WILL) Act

Posted on April 19, 2011 by | 1 Comment

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) has introduced a bill to amend the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) to integrate public libraries into state and local workforce investment boards.

The bill, the Workforce Investments Through Local Libraries (WILL) Act (H.R. 1616), would expand libraries’ opportunities to take leading roles in helping the public find employment in this weak economy.

“I want to express my appreciation to Congressman Holt for recognizing the important role that libraries play every day in preparing our users for success in the workplace,” American Library Association (ALA) President Roberta Stevens said.

Audra Caplan, president of the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of ALA, said the introduction of the WILL Act highlights the numerous ways libraries are currently building a stronger workforce.

“Study after study shows that in the past several years, millions of job seekers have been turning to their public libraries for assistance,” Caplan said.

“With free Internet access enabling job searches, resume development software, and personal technology training, many libraries offer resources not found anywhere else in our communities. Their contribution is integral to U.S. workforce development.”

H.R. 1616 has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. No hearings or mark-ups have been scheduled.

About Jenni Terry

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