Library grant to assist job seekers

Whitman County Library has received a grant of $48,160 through a Renew Washington Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The library plans to use the grant to operate a program to help job seekers develop resources for seeking employment.

The grant, along with other grants, was announced by William H. Gates last week at the Spokane Public Library during a special ceremony.

Called Whitman County Library Occupation Resource Connections (WORC) the program will be administered by the Washington State Library and funded by the Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Erica Willson, the library’s teen librarian who is certified in career and technical education, will serve as coordinator for the eight-month project. In addition, the library will hire a grant-funded temporary employee who will offer skill-building workshops, teach online database use and provide other support for the program.

In addition to countywide workshops, the WORC program will offer online resources. Collaborative partners like WorkSource, Community Action and Whitman County Health Department will be asked to participate.

The anticipated start date for WORC project programs and workshop sessions will be in mid November.