[Libs-Or] ALA applauds Congress for passing the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act

[Diedre Conkling]

http://www.districtdispatch.org/2014/07/ala-applauds-congress-passing-workforce-investment-opportunity-act/

ALA applauds Congress for passing the Workforce Investment and Opportunity
Act
Posted on July 9, 2014 by Jazzy Wright

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Workforce Investment
and Opportunity Act (WIOA), H.R. 803, in a bipartisan vote 415-6. The
passage of the bill comes after the U.S. Senate passed this legislation on
a 95-3 vote on June 25th. In a statement
<http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2014/07/ala-applauds-congress-passing-workforce-investment-and-opportunity-act>,
the American Library Association (ALA) gave special thanks to Senator Jack
Reed (D-RI) and Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) for their long-time efforts
to include libraries in this legislation.

“We would like to thank Senator Reed and Representative Holt for their many
years of work to ensure that public libraries are recognized as places
where jobseekers can go for job search assistance and employment training,”
said ALA President Courtney Young. “With over 16,000 public libraries in
the United States today, public libraries are often the only place in a
community where people can receive these services at no charge. This bill
recognizes the many ways that public libraries help Americans get back to
work.”

The Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act provides the following
provisions for American’s libraries:

   - *Allows public libraries to be considered additional One-Stop
   partners.* Libraries will now have access to federal funding for job
   training and job search programs.
   - *Functions of the State and Local Workforce Development Board.* State
   and Local Workforce Boards must include plans to improve digital literacy
   skills at One-Stop delivery systems.
   - *Prohibits federal supervision or control over selection of library
   resources.*
   - *Allows statewide employment and training activities.* Authorizes
   adult education and literacy activities provided by public libraries as an
   allowable statewide employment and training activity.
   - *Defines workforce preparation activities.* Includes a definition of
   “workforce preparation activities” that specifically includes digital
   literacy skills.

Moving forward, the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act will now be
sent to the President for his signature.



http://www.districtdispatch.org/2014/07/ala-applauds-congress-passing-workforce-investment-opportunity-act/

-- 
*Diedre Conkling*




*Lincoln County Library DistrictP.O. Box 2027Newport, OR 97365Phone & Fax:
541-265-3066Work email**: **diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org*
<diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org>
*Home email: **diedre08 at gmail.com* <diedre08 at gmail.com>

 “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change
your attitude.”―Maya Angelou
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