Saratoga Springs Public Library hosts Mini Job Fair

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Representatives from 18 local businesses and community members had the opportunity to meet at the Saratoga Springs Public Library Mini Job Fair.

Hosted in the Harry Dutcher Community Room, these businesses seeking to expand their workforce were able to speak with potential applicants in a laid-back atmosphere.

The Mini Job Fair happens twice a year at the library and was something that started right before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kali Nagler, an adult services librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, who also shared these events have met great reception from both the recruiters and job seekers alike.

“I hope they (people who attend) know that the library is a place of community and that we are trying to meet several goals for the library,” Nagler shared. “We want to be a community convener, to show a role of leadership and also give businesses a chance to have a spotlight – we love to give businesses, especially local businesses in our community, a chance to shine and explain to the public what they do.”

Lisa Butler was one of the many people who attended the job fair and shared that she was hoping to find another part-time job along with her current one working at the library.

“I think it’s great because it allows people who may not get the chance to travel to labor departments or who may not know how to get in contact with jobs or employers,” Butler said.

Along with the recruiters and members of the community seeking employment, there were also two therapy dogs at the Mini Job Fair, interacting with everyone. Sophie, a four-year-old golden retriever, and Jake, a six-year-old golden retriever, were at the event to provide comfort to all parties and to put smiles on people’s faces.

“There is a great amount of stress in job hunting as well as for recruiters who have to meet a certain quota,” Nagler said. “Studies show interactions with dogs can lower blood pressure and provide a sense of calming, so we wanted to have some here to help out.”

Kathy DelGiacco, the associate relations manager at the Ballston Spa Hannaford location, shared that they have come to many of the previous mini-job fairs and had found good applicants and enjoyed their experience taking part. One thing she also touched on was that these events are also great networking opportunities.

“This is also about connecting with other businesses too and sharing what has been working for us as hiring managers to find people,” DelGiacco said. “It is also nice to meet candidates and to get out into the community to talk to people, even if we are just talking about our products.”

Katie Ranno, an adult services librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library, spoke a little about what it takes to put on these mini job fairs and explained that the exhibitors fill out a registration form and that then the library staff put together a map for people to utilize and are keeping in contact with all those coming to answer questions.

One thing she shared that she wished more members of the community knew is that it is completely free to participate in the Mini Job Fair.

“Exhibiting here is totally free,” Ranno explained. “That is something we do get questions about, but library programs do not have a cost, so if you want to be a future exhibitor here it will not cost you anything.”

Chuchay Stark, the WIOA program coordinator from the Saratoga County Department of Workforce Development made mention of the current national labor shortage, which is one of the reasons she believes these kinds of events are so important.

“We are helping a lot of people to find jobs, especially nowadays when the economy is hurting and we have a shortage of manpower,” Stark said. “We help all these businesses with a reimplement plan. I hope everyone who comes in today is able to match with some of the businesses here, and that they walk away with a job.”

For those looking for more resources regarding career and employment, Nagler put together a resource page that is accessible through the Library’s LibGuides. For more information regarding the Saratoga Springs Public Library, visit https://www.sspl.org.