By MIKE RUSSO
Library Director Maria Sysak, who is coordinating the event, said that she proposed the idea to her colleagues after hearing how successful some Suffolk County library job fairs have been. She said that many residents are suffering from the effects of the struggling economy, and the library is doing what it can to help the unemployed find jobs as well as helping people wanting to change jobs.
"I think that in these times particularly, people are losing jobs and having difficulty finding even their first job," said Sysak. "Anyway you can help with that is important. With the library being at the center of the community, as [Baldwin] is an unincorporated area, I think this would be the most ideal spot for [the job fair]."
The job fair will be held in the Kevin B. Kamen Community Room, named for the recently retired library board president who served the Baldwin community for 30 years. Kamen was on the board when they approved the program several months ago, and said the job fair is just one more example of the library's long record of assisting those in need.
"With a weak economy, the high cost of energy, and the enormous amount of layoffs in recent months facing local residents, this library job fair should help match qualified applicants to positions that need to be filled," said Kamen. "It is great to see the library doing all it can by reaching out to local employers and arranging for them to visit our library so that all who require work can conveniently meet with them and schedule interviews."
The job fair, which is being partially sponsored by the New York State Department of Labor, has confirmed over a dozen employers in retail, health care, financial services, law enforcement, armed services and more. For a complete list of employers, visit the library's website at www.baldwinpl.org.
Residents are also encouraged to attend the "Sharpen Your W.I.T.S. (Work Interview Tips for Success)" program to help prepare for the job fair. That workshop will be held on September 16 at 7 p.m.
In addition, the library offers a year-round career counseling program, where residents can come and receive free one-on-one career counseling, which offers assistance on resume` preparation, interviews and job searches. The library recently received a $5,000 legislative initiative grant that will help to continue the career counseling program.
Sysak said that a recent Brentwood library job fair attracted close to 500 people, and they are hoping for similar success in Baldwin. She has sent letters to area residents to give them a heads-up on increased traffic expected during the day.
"We are targeting Baldwin, but obviously anyone else who hears about [the job fair] is welcome to come in," said Sysak. "We're looking forward to it. We're hoping it's a good success."
Comments about this story? MRusso@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
