Library works for job seekers

Friday August 27, 2010

More than 100 people have found jobs this year thanks to the employment desk at the new Shepherds Bush Library.

The job seekers have all landed positions at the Westfield shopping centre after they visited the library’s Work Zone desk.

As well as finding work, the Work Zone also helps the new employees to train on subjects from effective selling and merchandising to health and safety and food hygiene.

Since the library was opened by BBC Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman last year, the Work Zone has found employment for 117 people in Westfield – with 31 people finding jobs at Top Shop, 22 at the Vue Cinema and 11 people at Thoughts Cards.

The Work Zone is also starting an apprenticeship scheme to see teenagers not in employment, education or training being given employment opportunities.

One Westfield retailer who has filled vacancies through the Work Zone is Richard Mavin, deputy manager of toy shop The Entertainer.

“I heard that the Work Zone may be able to help us to find staff and decided to get in touch,” Richard said. “So far, they have helped us fill two positions and we will be working with them to fill our Christmas vacancies too – that could be for up to 20 or 30 members of staff.

“The Work Zone made the whole process very easy. We told them exactly what we wanted, and they filled our two vacancies in less than a month.”

The Work Zone at Shepherds Bush Library is a glimpse into the future of local libraries.

H&F Council bosses recently revealed plans to make it the blueprint for the other libraries in the borough.

The proposals, which are currently out for consultation with residents, involve moving Hammersmith Library – if residents are favourable to the idea – to a new town centre location, while planning to plough £80,000 into offering new services at Fulham Library.

H&F cabinet member Greg Smith said: “We have always said that modern libraries should be much more than just places to borrow books.

“And the success of the Work Zone, the only employment bureau found in a library in the UK, goes to show just what can be achieved with innovative thinking.”

The council is also asking residents what they think of plans to close Barons Court Library (it is hugely expensive to run) and moving Sands End Library to a new community hub.

“We want to make shift to fewer, better town centre libraries that attract more customers and are more economical to operate – especially where costs can be shared with other services to customers.

“The new Shepherds Bush Library is a fantastic example of what can be done.

“In the current financial climate, the days of small the neighbourhood libraries, such as Barons Court and Sands End, which serve relatively small numbers of people, are coming to an end.”

According to H&F Council bosses, the local authority is seeking to save more than £55million over the next three years. At the same time, council bosses want to cut its debt of £133m, and reduce the £5m of interest payments it pays out every year.

Cllr Smith added: “People come before buildings – and we simply can’t afford to run these small libraries if we are serious about tackling our financial problems.”

To have your say on the future of local libraries visit: www.citizenspace.com/local/lbhf.

To learn more about the Work Zone visit: www.workzoneonline.co.uk (opens new window).