The Ohio Library Council joined the American Library Association, Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County Public Library, and Rakuten OverDrive in co-hosting an event today at the OverDrive headquarters in Cleveland to discuss how public libraries are uniquely equipped to meet their communities’ workforce needs. The event was broadcast and is now archived for viewing on the ALA Facebook page.

This event was the first of ALA’s national series, geared towards how libraries propel their communities forward. It showcased how libraries in Ohio are meeting the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. The program featured a presentation by U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge (D-OH-11) and a recorded message from U.S. Sen. Rob Portman. Russ Mitchell, Anchor and Managing Editor of WKYC-TV, moderated a panel discussion about Ohio’s libraries and their work to upskill people for the jobs of the future.

The panel members included Ryan Burgess, Director of the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation; Shontel Brown, County Council Representative (District 9) of Cuyahoga County Council; Jeff Patterson, CEO of Cuyahoga County Metropolitan Housing Authority; Dr. Denise Reading, CEO of GetWorkerFit; and library patron Mick Munoz.