Ocean County Libraries Host Free Classes To Help Job Seekers

Three branches of the Ocean County Library will be holding additional free classes this month to help people sharpen their skills finding a job.

The additional courses follow a set of classes that were sponsored by the New Jersey State Library's Broadband Technology Opportunity Project (BTOP).  The classes are funded through a $5.1 million federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant as well as a $1.65 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Courses will be offered at the Jackson, Lakewood, and Toms River branches and will help participants learn important skills like preparing resumes and cover letters, locating job information on the Internet, using email and attachments during job searches, and they will also teach people basic word processing skills using Microsoft Word.

The instructors can also help people whose computer skills range from only being able to manipulate a mouse to performing advanced tasks.

One of the classes, “Basic Word and Email for Job Seekers,” will be offered in Spanish at the Lakewood branch.

In addition to sponsoring the classes, BTOP also provided funds for the libraries to purchase computers and upgrade connectivity to the Internet.

The schedule for the January classes includes:

Wed., 1/18; 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Toms River branch, Basic Windows and Internet Explorer for Job Seekers

Thurs., 1/19; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Jackson branch, Basic Windows and Internet Explorer for Job Seekers

Fri., 1/20; 1 – 5 p.m. in the Jackson branch, Basic Email and Word for Job Seekers

Sat., 1/21; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Toms River branch, Basic Email and Word for Job Seekers

Mon., 1/23; 6 – 8 p.m. in the Lakewood branch, Using the Internet for Job Seekers

Tues., 1/24; 6 – 8 p.m. in the Lakewood branch, Using E-Mail for Job Seekers

Wed., 1/25; 1 – 5 p.m. in the Jackson branch, Using the Internet for Job Seekers

Thurs., 1/26; 1 – 5 p.m. in the Toms River branch, Basic Email and Word for Job Seekers

Fri., 1/27; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Lakewood branch, Basic Word & Email (in Spanish)  for Job Seekers

Sat., 1/28; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Toms River branch, Using the Internet for Job Seekers

Additional information for job seekers can be found at njworks.org .

For more information or to register for this program go to the library’s Website www.theoceancountylibrary.org or telephone the operator (732) 349-6200 or (609) 971-0514.