Sunday, June 15, 2014
The Library of the Month is a celebration of Wisconsin libraries compiled by the BadgerLink team.
The Fond du Lac Public Library’s mission is to support a high quality of life in Fond du Lac through reading, lifelong learning and community involvement. To that end, FDLPL provides a variety of programs including a dedicated space for job seekers in the Opportunity Center and access to online resources through BadgerLink.
Fond du Lac Public Library’s Opportunity Center opened in November of 2009 and is a computer lab and resource center for job seekers. In this space, library users can use the computers to write resumes and cover letters and apply for work online. The computers in the Opportunity Center have no time limit so that users don’t have to hurry through applications and resumes. Additionally, the Opportunity Center supplies volunteers to offer assistance to job seekers like help with technology and proofreading.
In the past 5 years, the center has been a success because of the convenience of the location and the reliability of the volunteers. The center is open 27 hours a week, including evening and weekend hours, and is located centrally in the downtown Main Library. The center is large enough to accommodate job seekers but small enough to provide privacy and individualized help. When open, the center is always staffed by helpful and friendly volunteers.
Libraries provide a space for learning as well as materials such as books, videos, and magazines. BadgerLink acts as a supplemental resource for libraries, providing online access to magazines, newspapers, and journals. Information Services Librarian Annette Clark supplements the FLDPL collection with BadgerLink resources: “I use the Auto Repair Reference Center when we don’t have an auto repair manual on the shelf.” Additionally, Debbie Rosenberg, an Information Services Library Assistant at FLDPL commented, “We provide as many journals as is feasible for our patrons, but certainly can’t afford everything. Many have expressed their delight in being able to find full-text articles.”
“I wouldn’t want to be without <BadgerLink>,” said Susan Ringer, Information Services Librarian at FDLPL. And Fond du Lac wouldn’t want to be without FDLPL!