Jobless lean on libraries for Internet

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - One out of 10 Hoosiers are currently unemployed. Some of those people are heading to the library to change their career path. They are using the computer labs and free Internet access to search for jobs online, fix resumes and file for unemployment.

"They come to us because they know we have it." said Cheryl Wright, Central Library Director.

Eddie Exford was self-employed as a senior services consultant.

"Unfortunately, because of the economy, not everyone has money. My client base has dropped 80 percent," said Exford.

Every day, Exford comes to the library early to avoid the lines at the computer lab. He logs on, crosses his fingers and hopes that a potential employer has responded.

"I joined about six job sites and I go on the job sites each day and try to find out who has responded, what other jobs have been added to that website, their qualifications, what they are looking for, their pay," said Exford.

Marion County's Central Library saw a seven-percent increase in visitors and a 12-percent increase in circulation in 2008. Those numbers continue to climb as the economy declines.

The Salvation Army laid off Landrum Shields Jr. last week.

"I was caught in the midst of it," said Shields.

The library has always offered free Internet job searching classes. Now, they've become so popular that they've had to add more of the classes.

"Because computers are so hard to get to on Sundays, we are only open four hours, we have opened our computer training lab, which has 12 computers just for unemployment filing," said Wright.