Work Zone success at Library
Monday August 9, 2010
An employment bureau based inside the new Shepherds Bush Library has found work for over 100 people so far this year.
The Work Zone hooks up local people looking for employment with retailers in the Westfield shopping centre – found next door to the library.
As well as finding work, the Work Zone also helps people to access training on everything from effective selling and merchandising to health and safety and food hygiene.
So far, the Work Zone has found employment for 117 people in Westfield. 31 people have got jobs at Top Shop, 22 at the Vue Cinema and 11 people at Thoughts Cards. The Work Zone is also about to start an apprenticeship scheme that will see teenagers not in employment, education or training being given employment opportunities.
Cllr Greg Smith, Cabinet Member for Resident’s Services, said: “We have always said that modern libraries should be much more than just places to borrow books from 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.
“Since it opened last year, the new Shepherds Bush Library has been an unrivalled success, with membership tripling. This is because Shepherds Bush is ‘More than Library’ offering residents a wide variety of services under one roof.”
As well as the Work Zone, Shepherds Bush Library also boasts a large study space, Wi Fi connections and public access PCs, a teenage area with computer games and chill-out space. If that is not enough, there is also a dedicated space for quiet reading and children's activities and meeting and exhibition spaces. Staff are customer focussed and wear branded uniforms and the building also features self-service terminals.
The council has recently revealed plans to export this model of success to Fulham and Hammersmith Libraries, creating significantly improved facilities that are local centres of excellence.
The proposals, currently out for consultation, involve potentially moving Hammersmith Library to a new town centre location and ploughing £80,000 into Fulham Library. The council is also asking residents what they think about plans to close Barons Court Library, which is hugely expensive to run and relocating Sands End Library to a new community hub.
Cllr Smith added: “The council wants to move to fewer, better centre of excellence town centre libraries that attract more customers and are more economical to operate especially where costs can be shared with other services to customers. Shepherds Bush Library is a fantastic example of what can be done and we hope to replicate that unbridled success in Fulham and Hammersmith.
“In the current financial climate, the days of small neighbourhood libraries, such as Barons Court and Sands End, which serve relatively small numbers of people are coming to an end. The council needs to find £55 million over the next three years at the same time as we strive to cut our £133 million debt. We are currently paying £5 million on interest payments every year before a single penny goes towards services. This transformation of library services is about offering residents the best value-for-money deal possible while balancing our books. The council is prioritising people over 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 libraries in Hammersmith & Fulham visit www.citizenspace.com/local/lbhf/LibraryStrategyUpdate (opens new window).
To learn more about the Work Zone visit www.workzoneonline.co.uk (opens new window).
Work Zone case study
Amongst the many retailers at Westfield to have filled vacancies through the Work Zone is toy shop, ‘The Entertainer’. Deputy Manager, Richard Mavin, worked closely with the employment bureau to find the ideal candidate and as a result, Fulham Palace Road resident Hayley Lally has been in post since July 1.
Richard said: “I heard that the Work Zone may be able to help us to find staff and decided to get in touch. So far, they have filled 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 for us. We told them exactly what we wanted and they sent over the best matches. I would definitely recommend them. They filled our two vacancies in less than a month.
“Hayley is doing a great job and we are really pleased with her. It is a tough job as the staff have to get to know all of the products. We wanted someone outgoing and confident talking to people and that is exactly what we have got with Hayley.”
Hayley, 21, is also delighted to have been fixed up with work. She said: “I got a 2:1 in sociology and social policy from the University of Kent and hope to be a teacher. But before I go on a teaching course I wanted to find some work and saw this job advertised on the Job Centre Plus website. That directed me to the Work Zone and I had an interview and got the job.
“I really like it here. Everyone is friendly here which helps. It is really busy here and I am learning all of the time.”
