CRESTVIEW — In addition to books, videos and CDs, Crestview Public Library patrons can now check out jobs.
And more opportunities may soon be on the way.
Following its July 27 job fair, CareerSource Okaloosa-Walton wants to expand the program.
“That’s going to be our effort for this area,” CareerSource’s Gabriela Leysath said. “We’re going to try to do them monthly. We’ll see what works out.”
Within an hour and a half of the July 27 fair’s 11 a.m. start, more than 100 job seekers had passed through the doors to meet with eight employers.
“There were people lined up out the doors and down the sidewalk,” reference librarian Sandra Dreaden said. “That was just a great crowd.”
‘WORK IS WORK’
Among job-seekers was Michael May, who described himself as “between jobs” as he browsed opportunities at several of the tables.
“I just got a whole bunch of application information,” May said, adding he wasn’t particular about the type of job he gets. “Work is work. I’m open.”
Kathryn Stroud was likewise keeping her employment options open.
“I’ll try anything for now,” she said. “I just graduated.”
Employers said they were impressed with the quantity and quality of North Okaloosa County’s job seekers.
“(It was) a good turnout,” Southland Utility Services’ Marty Brackney said. “We’re always looking for workers.”
Krista Berry and Cindy DeGraaf accepted applications for Okaloosa County School District bus drivers.
“It’s full-time employment and we pay for all their training,” DeGraaf said.
In addition to local companies including Asurion, Tom Thumb, Waffle House and Sacred Heart Health System, out-of-town employers were also present.
“It a little bit exceeded my expectations,” Edwin Delgado of MasterCorp, a hospitality housekeeping services provider, said. “This event is a success.”
QUADRUPLED TURNOUT
Library Director Marie Heath said the facility is glad to host a needed public service. Despite the closure of CareerSource’s Crestview office, the need has not gone away.
“It’s a good and bad thing,” Heath said. “I’m glad it was such a success, but it’s a shame this number of people are out of work.”
Heath said when CareerSource asked to use the library’s meeting room, they anticipated about 30 job seekers to show up. Instead, 125 turned up, Leysath said.
In addition to possible monthly mini-job fairs, the library has established Monday and Wednesday visits from CareerSource’s mobile jobs unit, which sets up in the east parking lot and sees about 30 job seekers per visit.
“Hopefully everyone will find a job,” Heath said.
Here’s a glimpse at the July 27 CareerSource Okaloosa-Walton job fair hosted by the Crestview Public Library:
●30-35: anticipated attendance
●125: actual attendance
●8: employers
●42*: hourly workers invited to complete applications
●6*: management applicants invited to complete applications
*Employers are still processing applications; figures are not complete.
Source: JobsPlus Okaloosa-Walton
BY THE NUMBERS
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview library becomes job seekers' go-to source (PHOTOS)