Hello all,

 

Google has announced that they are coming to New Jersey during the first week of December.  They will be conducting one event at the Long Branch Free Public Library on December 4 from 10am-5pm.  You are welcome to attend and welcome to share this event with your library users as well who may benefit. 

 

I had thought (hoped, assumed) from previous communication that there would be more than one event in New Jersey, but that is not the case.  However, the attention from the Grow with Google event in Long Branch will still benefit all libraries throughout New Jersey and provides an opportunity to build partnerships and connections that will last longer than Google’s visit.

 

Here is text from the press release:

 

“Google Event Aims to Educate and Train Local Businesses and Jobseekers in Long Branch, Across State

 

Today, Google announced that it is coming to Long Branch on December 4 as part of the tech company’s ‘Grow with Google’ initiative. ‘Grow with Google’ (https://grow.google/) aims to help create economic opportunity in communities across the United States by providing free training, tools, and expertise for people across their country to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.

 

Google’s visit will take place at the Long Branch Free Public Library (328 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740) and run from 10:30AM to 5:00PM. Google’s day-long session will include a variety of hands-on workshops aimed to provide local businesses and residents with tools and resources to find the jobs they want, advance their careers, and grow their businesses. Attendees are welcome to pre-register for specific workshops (http://g.co/grownewjersey) , or drop in and sign up for one-on-one 20 minute training sessions with Google staff for everything from how to set up an email account, to ways they can advertise their business, create a resume, or grow your business using YouTube.

 

“As the economy continues to change and demand new sets of skills, it’s vital that New Jerseyans have the tools to succeed. Google takes this challenge seriously, which is why we will bring ‘Grow with Google’ to New Jersey, and are committed to developing a skilled workforce that’ll help the Garden State continue to grow,” said Erica Swanson, Google’s Head of Community Engagement.

 

One of the workshops, ‘Use YouTube to Grow Your Business,’ will be followed by a fireside chat with YouTube creator Laura Vitale of Laura in the Kitchen (https://www.youtube.com/user/LauraVitalesKitchen).  A New Jersey native, Laura launched her channel as a way to continue sharing her passion for cooking after her family restaurant closed. By leveraging free tools and resources from YouTube and Google, Laura created her own small business making cooking videos on YouTube, growing her following to 3.5MM subscribers and landing a show on the Cooking Channel: Simply Laura.”

 

As a reminder, the Grow with Google tour stop will also kick off the Libraries Lead with Digital Skills Grant opportunity for New Jersey libraries. Libraries Lead with Digital Skills is an initiative of ALA and PLA, sponsored by Google, to ensure that public libraries across the nation receive ongoing access to free tools and resources to help everyone across America grow their skills, careers, and businesses.  The application period opens in early December, but libraries are strongly encouraged to review the application and start preparing. This is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on how New Jersey libraries are supporting their communities’ economic growth through digital skills training.  Select one of the Grow with Google resources to integrate into a new or existing workshop, class, event, etc. and submit idea via the simple PLA application. Accepted libraries receive $1,000 with minimal application and reporting requirements, with the opportunity to receive an additional $3,000 bonus if your program is selected for a Spotlight Award.  For the application and requirements, visit: http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/google

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Best,

Andrea

 

Andrea Simzak Levandowski (she/her/hers)

Library Consultant for Small Business Development & Technology

New Jersey State Library

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625

(609) 278-2640 x190

alevandowski@PROTECTED