Santa Clara Co. Library Adds Community Outreach Position

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Clara County Library District has created a new Community Outreach Specialist position.

Erik Poicon will serve in the new role, splitting time between the Milpitas Library and the Ochoa Migrant Center in Gilroy (a Bookmobile partner site), county officials said in a news release.

“The Community Outreach Specialist brings an additional skillset into our libraries that will enable us to more proactively respond to the needs of our patrons,” County Librarian Jennifer Weeks said in a statement.

“Libraries are central places of access and opportunity for our community. From employment resources to local food banks, Erik will build connections between people and the many public and nonprofit services that can best assist them.”

Poicon previously worked as a community organizer at Groundworks working on public outreach, as part of the 2020 U.S. Census efforts, and most recently as head of the COVID-19 Positive Relief Team for the Community Services Agency of Mountain View.

His duties as the Community Resource Specialist will include connecting SCCLD libraries to local resources, and helping patrons fill out forms to access services and provides follow up with individuals after referrals are made.

“Librarians are experts in connecting people with information,” said Mike Wasserman, President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and President of the Library Joint Powers Authority Board.

“This position builds on this existing relationship with the public and allows libraries to go further in connecting people in need with the government and nonprofit services that they require.”