Bernice Kao is the Job Service Outreach Librarian of the Fresno County Library. She joined the library in 2002, and since then has launched many innovative programs to serve the unemployed in the Central Valley. Her networking skills have created collaborations between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the Fresno business community.
One unique thing about Bernice's coaching is her "Listening," "Learning," and "Leading" approach. Her twice-monthly Job Clinics in "Resume Makeover" and "Interviewing," have been well attended by walk-in job seekers for three years. Both the Fresno Bee and her students refer to her as "Coach Kao."
Bernice is on the Board of Directors of the California Career Development Center, which she established. In 2003, the Center presented her with the "Education & Community Career Center Award of Excellence."
Bernice has made many presentations at professional conferences at state, national and international levels. She is the co-author of From Outreach to Equality: Innovative Models of Library Policy and Practice. Before coming to California, Bernice worked in university, corporate, and public libraries in Ohio, Florida, Alabama, and Illinois.