The Broadband Technology Opportunity Program, commonly known as the BTOP Grant, is a grant received by the New Jersey State Library and funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Its aim is to help address the high unemployment numbers in NJ by helping Librarians become better resource aids to their customers and help the library\x92s customers become more self-sufficient in their job search and job application efforts.

One aspect of the BTOP grant are in-person training sessions for library staff and the general public within NJ public libraries, which will be scheduled and facilitated by a consortium of the New Jersey Community Colleges. The instructional component of the BTOP grant is aimed at improving workforce skills of those hardest hit by the economic downturn.

Target Audiences \x95 Librarians \x95 General Public

Instructional Offering \x95 Librarian Classes \x96 4 hour PC based sessions aimed at helping library staff become better resource aides to their customers. The topics are as follows: o conducting an on line job search; o making use of the NJ Department of Labor\x92s Real Time Jobs on Demand o locating other relevant commercial job web sites; o identifying the most popular job search web sites, such as Careeronestop.org and Monster.com o learning the key elements in an on line job application

\x95 Public PC Classes \x96 all classes are aimed at improving individual\x92s ability to use computers during their job search. The content is all customized to the job search effort. Sessions will cover topics such as an on line job search, self-assessment, resume writing, employment applications, interviewing techniques, along with familiarity in the key computer applications that go hand in hand with each topic, i.e. web search engines (Google, etc.), using MS Explorer and MS Word.

There are four class topics: \x95 Windows \x96 This is the foundation of any PC based usage. \x95 Internet \x96 Training in the basic usage of the Internet, understanding of web site addresses, introduction to the major web search engines, elements of a web search with specific emphasis on web based job searches. \x95 Word \x96 A class in the basic elements of MS Word. Emphasis will be on the development of a resume and cover letter. \x95 Outlook \x96 A class on the proper usage of web based email, email etiquette, responding to job listings, and on line applications. Each participant needing an email address will be assisted in the creation of a personal email account.

Next Steps \x95 Interested in scheduling these sessions at your library? Contact Natasha Peter, Compliance Officer at NJ State Library, at 609-278-2640 x133 or npeter@PROTECTED. \x95 Select which of the four Public PC classes that you wish to offer to your customers. You may select all four, or any combination of the four.
\x95 Decide how you would like to manage registration for the Librarian class. The registration can either be managed within the library or using the State Library\x92s online registration system.
\x95 Decide how you would like to manage registration for the Public PC class. The registration might be best managed by your staff. You know your customers!

Scheduling Sessions Once you have contacted the State Library with your interest in scheduling sessions, a contact from your Community College will reach out to you to begin scheduling sessions at your library.

Special Help Don\x92t have a computer lab at your library? The State Library can arrange for the local County College to bring laptops to your library for these training sessions. Please contact the State Library for more information.

Questions? Contact Natasha Peter, Compliance Officer at NJ State Library, at 609-278-2640 x133 or npeter@PROTECTED.

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