SumterWorks

You may have seen the following article in Sunday's edition of The Item:

Library's SumterWorks Assists With Employment Issues

In the article, Ivy Moore states that 1 in 10 Sumter residents are unemployed. That is a large portion of the county population. In fact, the unemployment rate for Sumter County in December 2010 was 12.4%, higher than the state average of 10.7%. This is a staggering number. However, the Sumter County Library aims to help Sumter County residents learn the relevant skills needed to enter the workforce.

Thanks to a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library, the Library has developed a workforce-development project entitled "SumterWorks". SumterWorks is a multi-faceted project designed to help Sumter residents be prepared to enter the workforce. The project features classes on the following subjects:

Resume Development
The Job Interview
Applying for Jobs Online
Setting Up An Email Account

With grant funds, the Library has purchased 4 new computers and an all-in-one printer for the public to use in our computer lab. Anyone may come into the lab during specified times and receive personal help in developing a resume or applying for jobs online.

All classes and lab times are located on the SumterWorks website:

http://www.sumtercountylibrary.org/sumterworks.html

The website features extensive local job listings, links to job search websites, online tutorials for resume development and computer skills and more.

In addition to our classes and lab hours the Library has purchased over 100 books related to career development and technology. Combined with our computer classes on relevant computer skills, the SumterWorks project is sure to help our community recover in this economic climate.

Ford Simmons
Reference and Information Services Coordinator