Google staff are coming to Jefferson City to help students, teachers, entrepreneurs, job seekers and developers use the company’s tools to help create their own economic opportunities.
“Grow With Google” is to be offered 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 23 at Missouri River Regional Library, 214 Adams St.
The Jefferson City library is one of two Missouri stops the tour is scheduled to make. The other library is in Springfield.
“(Google staff) have discovered that partnering with libraries is a really great way to do this,” MRRL marketing manager Natalie Newville said. “They are narrowing the gap in the skills divide.”
Grow with Google is a 50-state initiative aimed at helping people from nearly all walks of life improve their digital skills.
The initiative partners with libraries to deliver digital-skills training to job seekers and small businesses. Google staff will also train library staff and nonprofit leaders on a number of free Google tools and curricula they can use on a daily basis.
Staff are to lead hands-on workshops about online marketing for small businesses, search engine optimization or email basics.
Attendees can also sign up for one-on-one training with Google staff and tour demonstration booths to learn more about Google’s free products for learners and small businesses.
Attendees may either drop in for a few sessions or stay for the day, Newville said.
“We’re going to have between 25-35 (Google staff members),” Newville said. “They bring in all their own demonstration booths. It’s a big deal.”
It is recommended that people interested in participating in the event preregister at events.withgoogle.com/join-google-in-missouri.
“Through this initiative, Google aims to help everyone across America — those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow — access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers and businesses,” an MRRL news release stated.