Missouri Job Center relocates to library during roof work

A roof replacement at the Missouri Job Center in Springfield will make it tough for the public to use the entrance, prompting services to be offered elsewhere.

The center on Campbell Avenue will temporarily move operations to the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central St., from April 30 through May 8, long enough for a phase of the roof replacement near the main entrance to be complete.

Hours of operation at the library will be 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on those days.

“Crews will be replacing a section of roof next to the public entrance along Boonville Avenue, which will create a major disruption to foot traffic in and out of the building,” said Ericka Schmeeckle, assistant director of economic vitality and workforce development for the city of Springfield, in a news release.

“We thought it was in everyone’s best interest to temporarily move operations to the library to avoid the disruption,” she added.

Staff from the center will offer a range of services at the library including job searches, filing for unemployment, enrollment in job training programs, career assessment tools and career readiness workshops.

Schmeekle said the center was grateful for the library space so the public could still have in-person services.

“Roof replacement is subject to the weather, so we will keep everyone informed if we have to stay at the library after May 8,” she said.

Updates on the project will be shared on the Missouri Job Center’s Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

The roof replacement project has been ongoing. In early March, staff worked remotely and then set up at the library after the center briefly closed to the public due to water damage from a heavy rain.