The Kenton County Public Library is excited that Grow with Google is coming to our Erlanger Branch on July 17th.
Grow with Google is currently on a tour of the country’s libraries, hosting free workshops on the essential skills job seekers and local businesses need to succeed in a digital world.
Perhaps most importantly, Google staff will provide our librarians, librarians from nearby areas and leaders of area non-profit organizations, with tutorials to continue to teach these skills to their patrons and customers. This means that after the day’s workshops have concluded, their impact will continue to be felt.
A major component of workforce development in today’s world involves knowing how to navigate an increasingly technological world. A recent study by Burning Glass and Capital One found that more than eight in ten jobs requiring a high school diploma now also require some level of digital skills or certification.
The Kenton County Public Library is committed to building programs and partnerships that will help Kentucky grow a technologically savvy workforce which will, in turn, strengthen our state’s economy.
Since 2017, Workforce Development has been a priority in our Strategic Plan. We provide a wide range of services for our patrons to build professional skills including offering live computer classes, hosting the Northern Kentucky Accountability Group, (a job search support group for professionals in transition), LinkedIn and Resume Workshops, Transferable Skills classes, and even coding classes for the younger generation.
Integrating a “Job Search Central” function on our website directs patrons to a myriad of community resources. We believe Grow with Google is a great addition to our growing repertoire of skills offerings.
According to the American Library Association, nearly three-quarters of public libraries assist their patrons with job applications and interviewing skills, and 90% help their patrons learn basic digital skills such as using search engines, email, spreadsheets and internet tools like social media. Another nearly 50% provide access and assistance to entrepreneurs looking to start a business of their own. The skills learned at Grow with Google will help all our branches become even more helpful for the citizens of our community.
All day July 17th, anyone is welcome to drop into our library to learn essential skills from Google trainers; everything from how to create an email account or pinpoint the right job opportunity online to set up a web page or a Google analytics account for their business. This is a free event and you can register at g.co/GrowKentucky.
At the Kenton County Public Library, it is our job to keep our thumb on the pulse of the community and to make sure that our patrons have the chance to learn.
By partnering with the business and technology community of the Northern Kentucky area to offer digital skills programs, we hope that many of our patrons will begin to see our library as more than a place to check out a book, but also as a place to learn new skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
We hope you join us and Grow with Google.
Dave Schoeder is executive director of the Kenton County Libraries.
