John Driscoll, Reference and Young Adult Librarian at the Galesburg Public Library, joins Galesburg In Focus to preview Saturday's Teen & Adult Job Fair — and to talk about what the library is becoming for this community.
The Teen & Adult Job Fair is Saturday, April 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Galesburg Public Library Community Room. It is free and open to the public. Nearly 40 employers are expected, representing a wide range of local industries — from healthcare and manufacturing to retail, skilled trades, city departments, and yes, WGIL Radio. Both teens and adults are welcome. Employers with available spots can still register by calling 309-343-6118 or emailing juanita@galesburglibrary.org.
Driscoll also talks about the library's employment specialist, Juanita Seiboldt, who provides free one-on-one help with job applications, resumes, interview preparation, and unemployment filings — a resource he calls significantly underutilized given the current job market.
And then there's the teen horror movie. Members of the Teen Advisory Board pitched the idea, and Driscoll ran with it. Teens are writing the script, directing, acting, filming, and editing a zombie horror movie set inside the library. Cameras have been purchased, film professors and industry professionals have been brought in for guidance, and filming is expected to begin this summer.
Topics covered in this interview:
- Teen & Adult Job Fair — Saturday, April 11, 1 to 4 p.m., Galesburg Public Library
- Nearly 40 employers participating — room for a few more
- Why face-to-face connections matter for first-time job seekers
- Employment specialist Juanita Seiboldt — free job search help available year-round
- The new library facility and what it makes possible
- The library as a "third space" — a free place to gather without pressure to spend
- How librarians help people navigate online information overload
- The Teen Advisory Board — monthly meetings, pizza included
- The teen-led zombie horror movie project — script, filming, editing, and community mentorship
- AI and the library — an ongoing conversation
For more information, call the Galesburg Public Library at 309-343-6118 or visit thegpl.org.