On Monday, January 12 the City of Wolfforth Library officially opened the new Job Resource Center and formally dedicated the new facility to former librarian Andi Youngblood Powers. “We, as Andi’s family, are very honored at this recognition of Andi and her efforts to make a difference in the Wolfforth community. The Job Resource Center is a terrific asset and the library staff deserves a big thank you for working every day to serve the residents of Wolfforth and the surrounding area” says Debbie Perkey, City Secretary and Andi’s mother. The Texas State Library & Archives Commission (TSLAC) funded the Center under its Special Projects Grant program. The funds from the grant totaled $38,500 to cover the first year start-up cost of the Job Resource Center. This project is just one of 70 made possible this year by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. “TSLAC is proud to see funds from our federal grants put to use to demonstrate the power of local libraries to bring innovative services to communities across the state of Texas,” says TSLAC Director and Librarian Mark Smith.
The Andi Youngblood Powers Job Resource Center includes dual-screen monitor computers with webcams and headphones and high quality printers. The designated area in the Library is reserved for job seekers, those that are creating resumes, completing online job applications or even those doing online interviews. Funds from the TSLAC grant will also be used to train Library staff so they may better serve their job seeking patrons. Current Librarian Kim Brown says, “The library staff has been training for almost a year now on ways to help job seekers and that training will continue. This is a need that is not going away. Part of building a great community requires educating and providing resources to the people and helping them become better. I really believe the Job Resource Center can help our community become better!”