INNISFAIL – With accessibility cut off or drastically reduced to many public services because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still plenty of help and support easily available at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre.
This is especially important for financially struggling citizens desperately needing computer access or job search skills.
Both the Innisfail Public Library (IPL) and Henday Association For Lifelong Learning (HALL), which are both housed at the library/learning facility, are still operating to serve the public, although with different types of access.
While the doors to the library are closed, staff are still offering curbside support service but not computer access.
“In discussion with them, HALL said that during our library closure they could assist anyone that requires computer access and assistance for any necessary employment-related tasks or other essential tasks such as filing government forms,” said Tara Downs, the library’s manager, adding IPL will continue to provide curbside copying, printing and faxing services.
Citizens are asked to call the library to arrange for this service.
“The IPL is fortunate to have HALL and be able to transfer services there which is not the case with all libraries,” said Downs. “Communication will remain key though. We need to get this information out to our community.”
In the meantime, Hall offers much more for COVID-era job searchers than just computer access.
Donna Arnold, executive director for HALL, said although the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre building is not officially open to the public, HALL is still operating similar to post-secondary institutions by still being able to run classes in its two rooms, including General Educational Development (GED) and English as a Second Language (ESL). Both are also available online.
Most importantly for financially challenged citizens seeking employment is that HALL does assist with one-on-one-resume building and job searches. During this COVID era citizens only need to call the office to make an appointment.
HALL also provides stand-alone workshops and the week-long New Futures Employment Skills (NFES) program, which assists with building better resumes and cover letters, as well as online networking skills.
If participants do not want a full week of day support HALL also has evening classes.
HALL’s program is facilitated by HALL staff with online instruction from Red Deer’s Academic Express, an adult educational school. All of these are free of charge.
Hall offers the NFES program once a month. February’s has already been held but it will also be offered beginning March 1, April 12 and May 10.
On Feb. 22, HALL will have the second part of a stand-alone workshop on resume development and cover letters from 5 to 8 p.m. On March 22 and 29, there will be a two-part workshop on managing change and job loss and transition from 5 to 8 p.m.
These stand-alone workshops are also being planned for April and May.
For more information on employment services and support offered by HALL, call Arnold at 403-227-2866. For more information on the public library’s curbside copying, printing and faxing service, call Downs at 403-227-4407.
