By Joel Spears

ROGERSVILLE - In tough economic times, Hawkins County Library System has received some good news for patrons.  The system has received a $7,500 Library Services Technology Grant that will equip the libraries at Rogersville, Church Hill, and Surgoinsville to become job training centers.
    Library system director Kristin White said the opportunity is significant for those who are out of work, or who might need additional experience in how to appropriately search for a job in today's market.
    "The grant became available at the beginning of the economic downturn," White said.  "We saw an opportunity to help the community and we're very excited about having the chance.  Our goal is to improve job seekers' marketability and give them more long-term marketable skills that will help them find jobs."
    The library system will work with Hawkins County Adult Education and the Rogersville office of Walters State Community College Workforce Investment Act to develop classes and other job search training.
    Frank Umbarger of Walters State Community College Workforce Investment Act will spearhead the classes, scheduled to begin in June.
    "If an individual has been in the workforce 20 or 30 years, then lost their job they might lack current skills needed to market themselves to potential employers," Umbarger said.  "Hopefully this will give them an opportunity to increase those skills and make the appropriate impression."
    White said both Rogersville and Church Hill will have computer stations set up specifically for job training and job searching only.  This is in addition to computers currently used for Internet browsing.  Job training and other educational materials will also be available for checkout.
    "Practically every job available now must be applied for online," Martha Stooksbury with Hawkins County Adult Education said.  "Many people who have been in the workforce for years have little or no online experience in job applications.  This is one way to help get them headed in the right direction with skills they need today."
    Two informational sessions about the grant will be held in coming weeks.  THe first will be held in Rogersville at H.B. Stamps Memorial Library on Wednesday, June 24, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.  The second will be at Church Hill Public Library on Thursday, June 25, from 10 a.m. until Noon.
    Each session is open to the public and White encouraged everybody who would like to know more about the program or has an interest in participating to attend.  Space is not limited for these sessions and they are free of charge.
    These sessions will explain Hawkins County Adult Education, as well as the Walters State Community College Workforce Investment Act and the services it offers.
    An informal survey will also be handed out to participants for feedback on what they would like to see and what classes they would be interested in pursuing at the job training center.
    White said potential ideas for classes thus far are: Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, How to fill out job applications and possible resume workshops.
    "We would like for everyone to come with questions and suggestions," White said.  "This is a great way to learn the skills we all need to search in the job market, particularly in such a rough economy."
    The job training center project is supported in whole by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the federally-funded Library Services and Technology Act, as administered by the Department of State, Tennessee State Library Archives.
    For more information, call (423) 272-8710, or E-mail hbslib@chartertn.net.

H.B. Stamps Memorial Library working toward goal

    The following is a list of those who have donated funds toward H.B. Stamps Memorial Library fundraising goal of $2,000: U-Save Drugs, Rogersville; Walgreens, Rogersville; Green Bank, Rogersville; Scott and Bambi Gregory, Rogersville; Patricia Davies, Brawley, CA; Steve and Janet Stewart, Rogersville.
    This month, the library turned to the community for support noting that a systemwide budget increase is necessary to offer additional services at each library.  However, H.B. Stamps Library has received a $1,000 technology grant for use at Rogersville.  The library must match that total with an additional $1,000, in-hand and spent before August 31 or the library does not receive the grant, according to director Kristin White.  "If we match the funding, the library can replace two needed computers, and in the future as funding allows, replace others."
    Another $1,000 is needed to help purchase new educational materials, as well as bring new services to the library's summer reading program.
    For more information, or to learn more about making a financial contribution, call (423) 272-8710, or E-mail hbslib@chartertn.net.