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Public libraries are about the community’s informational and resource needs and interests. Moreover, public libraries particularly have proven to be a resource upon which many low-income and homeless people rely. MPR News recently reported that since the libraries in Hennepin County, Duluth and Rochester have received grant money totaling more than $155,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation this past summer, they have been increasing and creating new services for homeless and low-income visitors.
As more and more library visitors are looking for or applying for jobs, seeking health information, and learning computer basics or life skills such as balancing a checkbook, this grant money is helping libraries continue to meet those needs and, in some cases, expand services.
There is much to be grateful for in our local communities. Public library services and the library staff that provide them are two of them.
On a related note, Minitex Reference Outreach & Instruction recently hosted an ALA RUSA/RSS Job and Career Reference Committee webinar, “Partnerships in Career Services @ Your Library: A Case Study at St. Paul Public Library.” Check out the recording if you’re interested in learning about what St. Paul Public Libraries has been doing to address job search and digital literacy needs in their local communities.