Jan 17, 2024 By Mark Hofmann 4 min read

A popular career-seeking support platform is continuing for a second year throughout Fayette County libraries but is being dropped in neighboring Greene County.

German-Masontown Public Library recently announced the launch of Brainfuse’s JobNow, a cutting-edge online career support platform.

Samantha Lambert, director of the German-Masontown Public Library, said the program started in 2023 and was funded by money from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“It was a wonderful platform, and I wanted to offer it again,” Lambert said.

However, no funding from the act remained for such a program, so Lambert decided to write a grant to the EQT Foundation and was awarded the cost of the annual subscription of $3,750.

JobNow offers a range of services including live job coaching that connects users with real people for personalized help, professional resume assistance and critique, interview preparation and an extensive library of career resources.

“JobNow is more than just a platform; it’s a comprehensive resource designed to support individuals at every stage of their professional journey,” Lambert said, adding that the live one-on-one coaching is one of the features that makes the program stand apart from others. “Whether you’re exploring new career paths, seeking employment, or advancing in your current role, JobNow is here to help you succeed.”

Not only is the free service available to patrons of the German-Masontown Public Library, it is also available to Fayette County library cardholders. Those cardholders can access the service from their computers or smartphones.

“We are thrilled to offer Brainfuse’s JobNow to the residents of Fayette County. In today’s competitive job market, having access to quality career resources is essential for personal and professional growth,” said Christy Fusco, director of Uniontown Public Library. “This initiative aligns with our mission to empower individuals through knowledge and support, and we are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our fellow libraries in Fayette County.”

Lambert said about 20 to 25 patrons from her library have been using the program each month, but didn’t have county-wide figures.

“I’d love to know who has used it and what they think of it,” Lambert said.

Lambert wants to get the word out about JobNow and see how it continues to be used, and eventually seek funding to renew their subscription for 2025.

Kathy McClure, system administrator for the Greene County Library System and the executive director of the Eva K. Bowlby Public Library, agreed that the JobNow program is a great tool for job seekers in Greene County, as they’ve had the program for the past four years.

However, by April, the library won’t be renewing its subscription.

“It’s not by a lack of wanting,” McClure said. “The cost wasn’t warranting the usage.”

When they first started the program, McClure said it was a popular feature of the library system, which included Eva K. Bowlby Public Library in Waynesburg and Flenniken Public Library in Carmichaels.

While McClure didn’t have early usage numbers available, she said the figures kept dropping until they were down to fewer than 10 users per month.

Because subscription costs are based on population, Greene County, like Fayette, was also being charged $3,750, but since the cost was coming out of the Greene County Library System’s budget, keeping the service for another year based on its usage wouldn’t be feasible.

“It’s a wonderful program,” McClure said. “It was a hard decision to let that go. I wish we had the money to continue it.”

McClure was unable to pinpoint any particular reason for the lack of usage, but noted a PA CareerLink is located downstairs in their building, and the libraries have other databases for job seekers to use.

She added if funding became available or a grant could be obtained to keep JobNow, she would pursue it.