Annual Teen and Youth Job Fair at Roe Jan Library

COPAKE — The Roeliff Jansen Community Library, located at 9091 Route 22, south of the intersection of routes 22 and 23, has become something of a mecca for the communities it serves. Those include the towns of Copake, Hillsdale and Ancram. Residents who live in those three towns and its numerous hamlets who are patrons of the library, and even those who are not, are fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the many and varied resources, programs, its circulation and assorted offerings — including an outstanding staff — who work tirelessly to provide the types of personalized services this intimate section of Columbia County has come to expect.

Case in point? Come this Saturday, May 21, from noon to 2 p.m., the Roe Jan Library, as it is lovingly known, will offer local teens and youth looking for a summer job or internship, a chance to interview with area businesses hiring this summer. All they have to do is stop by the Roeliff Jansen Community Library’s Teen & Youth Job Fair.

It’s the third such event, and it will host potential employers ranging from camps and state parks to restaurants, retail stores and more.

“We are pleased to be able to hold our Third Annual Teen and Youth Job Fair this month,” said Roe Jan Library Director Tammy Gaskell. “Our past fairs were a great success, benefitting both local businesses and local young people, many of whom were looking for their first job.

“It seems especially important this year given the current economic situation,” she added.

The free event is open to ages 14 to 24. Light refreshments will be served at this rain or shine activity.

A total of “15 different businesses and nonprofits are taking tables this year — including the United States Postal Service [USPS], and SWM International [Ancram Mills] is returning for a second time,” according to Circulation Librarian Robin Gottlieb, who said that last year’s fair took place outside due to the COVID pandemic.

This year, Gottlieb said, “the current weather forecast for May 21 currently says it will be partly sunny and 75 degrees on Saturday, so if that holds true, it will be outside in our parking lot again.”

Those who attend the job fair are encouraged to dress professionally and bring job resumes with them, and be prepared to talk to potential employers about their background and their education.

In addition to the USPS, other local businesses and nonprofits will be at the job fair. To see a full list, go to the library’s website, listed below.

For full details, call the library at 518-325-4101 or go to www.roejanlibrary.org.

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