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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Ind. Gov't. - "Libraries are overwhelmed by unemployed filing for help"
This article caught my eye because of state government's assumption that citizens have ready online access for unemployment benefits, welfare benefits, access to Indiana laws and rules, etc. And the constant cutting of library funding and movements to consolidate doesn't help any.
Margaret Fosmoe of the South Bend Tribune reports:
When Elkhart Public Library's Pierre Moran Branch opened at 1 p.m. Sunday, there were already 51 people outside waiting in line.They were there to use the library's public computers to file required weekly online claims with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development for unemployment benefits.
The crowds have grown so large, the library has taken to handing out numbers to those waiting to use the computers to file claims. One employee is assigned to handle crowd control. * * *
Some libraries report being overwhelmed by people needing computers to file for unemployment benefits.
Library employees are doing their best to serve the filers, but Indiana's decision to require online filing is an unfunded mandate affecting every public library, Ozinga said. Most filers come on Sunday, the first day of the week, so they receive benefits as soon as possible, she said.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 13, 2009 10:18 AM
Posted to Indiana Government