Olson library launches JobPod to boost local careers

Eagle River residents now have a new tool to jumpstart their careers: the JobPod at Walter E. Olson Memorial Library. The private workstation, unveiled last week, is designed to help community members with job searches, resume building, online applications, interview prep, and more.

The “pod” features a laptop preloaded with job-hunting resources, a guidebook, and other materials to support career development. The space accommodates two to four people and provides a quiet area for job seekers to work or hold virtual meetings.

The launch event, complete with light refreshments and JobPod-logo cookies, marked a milestone for Olson library, the first JobPod site in the Northern Waters Library Service and one of only seven locations in Wisconsin.

“We’re a rural area and often underserved in ways that can make a real difference in people’s day-to-day lives,” said library director Sara Klemann. “When the library system reached out, my first instinct was yes.”

The program is a collaboration among the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, the Brown County Library, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and the Nicolet Federated Library System.

Libraries are considered ideal hosts because they offer technology, infrastructure, and a trusted community hub, expanding their mission beyond lending books. A JobPod at a local library makes critical services more accessible to community members who might otherwise have to travel or go without.

“One benefit is that it makes it easier for job seekers to connect with workforce experts, explore employment opportunities, and access training regardless of where they live,” said Danielle Zeamer of the Brown County Library, which piloted the program.

Open to residents of all ages, the program has already attracted interest from the local school district for high school career prep. Users may access the JobPod independently or with assistance from trained library staff.

“Job seeking can feel vulnerable, but we’re here to help people over those hurdles,” Klemann said.

“JobPod is all about creating connections,” said Zeamer. Brian Kalish, executive director of the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, also hopes the Eagle River JobPod will serve as a model for other rural communities.

For Klemann, the new venture is “another piece of the puzzle to help people find their path forward,” referring to how it complements the library’s existing services like tutoring, proctoring, and technology assistance.

“I’m always excited when people approach me with ideas and say, ‘We’re already doing this work — how can we do it together and do it better?’”

Residents can use the JobPod by visiting the library and notifying the front desk or calling ahead to reserve the space. Olson Memorial Library is located at 203 N. Main St., Eagle River. For more information, call 715-479-8070 or visit jobpodwi.org.