Molalla Telework Center
Molalla Public Library
Molalla, Oregon

Public library leadership sparks a telecommunity center
Molalla is a small, rural, timber-distressed community about an hour's drive from Portland, Oregon. The Molalla Telecommunity Center was created as an integral part of the Molalla Public Library to provide more and better access to technology, training, information and telework.

The Molalla Public Library first explored the telework concept in 1999 in an economic development program spearheaded by Clackamas County. A community survey revealed a high percentage of residents owned a computer (66 percent) and 41 percent had an Internet connection. Twenty-two percent said they "would work from home if my employer would allow it" and nine percent were interested in starting a home business. The library enjoyed a highly favorable image. These results encouraged the city to create a telework center as a new community resource.

A business plan and marketing materials were created with telework development consultant, Janet Jones. Community interviews, survey results and input from the local community team formed the basis of a plan and marketing strategy.

The center is seen as vital to building a stronger local economy to:

• Help residents access information and job opportunities and build skills.
• Inspire residents to use technology and telework solutions.
• Support existing employers.
• Accelerate new homegrown businesses.
• Attract businesses.
• Keep workers closer to home.

The executive director of the chamber of commerce emphasizes that the center sends a compelling message:

"A telecommunity center says Molalla is
competitive,
capable,
moving forward."

The library opened a new facility in Spring 2001. Due in part to the location of the telecenter in the library, overall circulation has increased over 40 percent in the past eighteen months. This has helped stabilize overall funding for the entire suite of library programs as funding is based upon circulation activity.

Molalla is investing in quality and reliability
The library has taken a careful, deliberate approach to ensure that workers and employers using the telework center will find it a high quality, customer-driven, reliable experience. To earn the trust of its customers, the center operated on a prototype basis until operations were determined to be highly reliable. Once the center's broadband DSL connections and computer equipment were thoroughly tested, the center opened for business in the Fall of 2001.

Molalla's telecommunity center serves local teleworkers, businesses and residents. Its strategy is to:

• Invest in high quality and reliability.
• Provide the latest and best software and hardware not commonly found in home and/or small businesses.
• Focus on amenities: a high quality meeting room, a coffee cart and activities for kids.

Workstation space is rented by the hour ($5.00), the day ($20), or negotiated on a longer term basis. The telework center is located in a separate room ensure a professional work setting and greater security and privacy away from public space. Additional high speed workstations are being added to the local chamber of commerce to serve local businesses.

The library's meeting room serves community needs
The conference room serves as a classroom or meeting room for up to 50 people. It is in steady demand by community groups, the community college and local businesses for meetings, classes, interviews, presentations, training and workshops.

Molalla Telework Center
Molalla Public Library
201 SE 5th
Molalla, OR 97038

Phone 503.829.2593
Fax 503.829.3676
www.no-commute.net/molalla