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Minneapolis Central Library

Partner Agency: Minneapolis Downtown Central Library
Location(s): 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN 55401
Site Supervisor:  Martha Hardy, Job & Careers Librarian

CTEP Program Description

The AmeriCorps Community Technology Empowerment Project (CTEP) bridges the "digital divide" for new immigrants and low-income communities in the Twin Cities. CTEP is a program of the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN).

Site History and Mission

Located in downtown Minneapolis, Hennepin County Library - Minneapolis Central seeks to nourish minds, transform lives, and build community together.  Minneapolis Central serves the entirety of Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis, with an immediate service area in Central Minneapolis that includes high numbers of people at both ends of the income spectrum. Job insecurity and unemployment rates are historically high among Black, Indigenous, and people of color in our service area. The library is committed to reducing prevalent racial disparities in education, employment, income, health, housing, transportation, and justice.

The library envisions a Hennepin County where library services ensure every person has the opportunity and resources to read, graduate, engage, work and learn. The work of the CTEP member to support job seekers and reduce the digital divide supports this vision.

Preferred Site Schedule for Member

The CTEP member will serve five seven-hour days, primarily weekdays, with the possibility of occasional weekday evenings and Saturday days for special programs.

In addition, members attend professional development days with their fellow CTEP members to enhance service-readiness skills, personal attributes at the service site, and citizenship skills.  These AmeriCorps days take place twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Fridays from 9 AM to 4 PM, and these trainings are mandatory.  Members also attend statewide AmeriCorps events, such as the Martin Luther King Day celebration, and/or serve on the statewide InterCorps Council.

Specific Site Responsibilities

Hennepin County Library seeks a CTEP AmeriCorps member to serve with the Business, Science, and Government Documents (BSG) Department at Minneapolis Central Library, part of Hennepin County Library (HCL).

The ideal candidate should possess:

  • Sensitivity and respect for people from diverse communities

  • Strong computer and emerging technology skills

  • Excellent communication skills

  • Strong customer service ethic

  • Willingness to learn

  • Enthusiasm for teaching

  • Creativity

Responsibilities of the CTEP AmeriCorps member will include:

  • Provide one-on-one coaching and assistance to computer users and job seekers

  • Teach and develop curriculum for technology and computer skills classes

  • Support job seekers in writing resumes, creating cover letters, completing online job applications, and searching for job leads

  • Administer Northstar Digital Literacy Assessments

  • Track program outcomes

  • Create support materials, such as handouts and templates, for job seekers

  • Mobilize and train computer volunteers to support job seekers

Site Environment

The Business, Science, and Government Documents (BSG) space on the 2nd floor of Minneapolis Central Library is one of the busiest public service points in our bustling, urban library. Library patrons come to the 2nd floor to use the job search computers and to receive personalized assistance from BSG staff, computer volunteers, and the Goodwill-Easter Seals staff, who offer one-on-one consultations two afternoons per week.

CTEP member will have an assigned workspace in the BSG workroom that includes access to a microwave and refrigerator, a locker, printers and copiers, and a desk equipped with a computer, phone with voicemail, basic office supplies, and storage. 

Minneapolis Central is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis on Nicollet Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets, with easy walking access to Blue & Green Light Rail stations, as well as many local and express bus routes. We are also on several bike routes.  A car is not necessary.

How to Apply

Apply online at http://my.americorps.gov/ and click on “Apply to Serve”. Be sure to search for the “Community Technology Empowerment Project” or “CTEP” when asked to indicate what program you would like to send your application to. Contact: ctepmn@spnn.org, 651.298.8919 for more information about CTEP Member requirements.

CTEP AmeriCorps values an equitable work environment and strongly encourages Black, Indigenous and People of Color, speakers of many languages, disabled individuals, LGBTQIA+ identified, and people from other underrepresented communities to apply.

Reasonable accommodations will be made upon request.