Developing Career Resources in Public Libraries
Interested in Developing Career Resources? Start Here.
This website should only be a starting point in the development of career-help at any public library. Below are some resources suggested by MLIS student Christine Mastalio from the University of Iowa. Also visit the References page to find out more about the information cited throughout the website. Note some of these resources may also be valuable to provide directly to patrons.
BOOKS
Jerrard, J. (2009). Crisis in Employment: a Librarian's Guide to Helping Job Seekers. Chicago: American Library Association.
If I could only recommend one resource for librarians planning career assistance, this would be it. From programming to which career websites to use to real life examples, Crisis in Employment is practical and easy to read. Appendix A includes key resources sorted by subject like networking, career change and interviewing. Appendix B has sample documents that libraries could adapt for their own purposes. A selection of these can be found at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/editions/webextras/jerrard10139/jerrard10139.cfm
Public Library Association, VGM Career Books (2004). Guide to Basic Resume Writing second edition. Chicago: VGM Career Books.
This written by the Public Library Association, is focused solely on resumes. It is pretty basic but it provides a foundation for getting started on a resume and does provide sample resumes for tricky cases like someone returning to the workforce.
Lear, B. W. (2002). Adult Programs in the Library. Chicago and London: American Library Association.
While it does not specifically address career-help, this is a good guide if your library has not done much programming for adults. If you already have strong adult programming initiatives, you can skip it. There are sample program evaluation programs at the end.
The Everything Books: School and Careers series
http://www.adamsmediastore.com/category/everything-school-careers
The "everything" brand covers everything from quilting to getting into college, but their career based books are easy to understand and practical. These provide an overview of a subject like interviewing and could be a good starting place--especially for a librarian that has not had to personally deal with the job market in a while. It may also be a good resource to recommend to an overwhelmed job seeker. While most of the books probably will not address specific situations, they do provide a broad framework to start from.
Matthews, Joseph (2007) The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services, Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
For those struggling to determine user needs, how library computers are being used or how to evaluate current career-help programs, this book is a must. It explains common and alternative evaluation methods, including the ones discussed on the Evaluations page. There is also a chapter on how to read library statistics and one on how to apply those statistics toward community advocacy.
ARTICLES
Reed Business Information. (2010). E-SHORT TAKES. Library Journal , 135 (1), 145-6.
Before reading, note the author is Reed Business Information, which may own or have vested interest in some of the products reviewed. Almost every web-based career product reviewed is subscription based. However, that may be a worthwhile route for a library. Another advantage is that the article reviews some of the newer products on the market.
Tutor.com to Launch Adult Learning Center. (2009). Advanced Technology Libraries , 38 (5), 9.
Tutor.com is not a free resource but they do list public libraries as desired partners. This news snippet in Advanced Technology Libraries highlights some of the features that could be valuable, depending on what kind of investment the library is looking to make. They do offer a package geared toward adult learners and job seekers specifically for public libraries at: http://www.tutor.com/libraries/adults-career
McDermott, I. E. (2009). New Improved Internet Job Search Now With Social Networking. Searcher , 17 (4), 8-12.
This article incorporates some newer and changing technologies into the traditional job search. Besides giving librarians some practical advice, the article includes resources for Spanish speakers.
WEBSITES
Riley Guide
http://www.rileyguide.com/execute.html
Developed by librarians, this guide is comprehensive covering internet job searches, resumes and salaries. Started in 1994, the guide is updated regularly. This is a professional resource for both librarians and patrons. The website is section 508 compliant, so it is also compatible with adaptive technologies. The guide includes information on copyright of its articles and contact information.
Learning 2.0
http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/
This site was actually developed to help librarians learn about Web 2.0 technology at their own pace. It is a self-guided, nine week tutorial featuring various technologies. The great thing about this is its Creative Commons license, which has allowed libraries around the country to adapt the site to their own uses. It may be worth developing a shorter program for patrons or using this as a model for librarian training. The subject would not have to be limited to Web 2.0 either, but could be developed as a web technologies tutorial for job seekers.
Any of the websites from the Role Models section are also good resources to check out.
VIDEOS
E-How Careers and Work Videos
http://www.ehow.com/guide_3-careers_videos.html
There are hundreds of short videos on this site covering how to interview on the phone, how to freshen up a resume and how to dress for success, among other topics. Searching for something specific is not always easy, but once you find a relevant video, it is easy to chain to related ones. The people producing the videos announce who they are and what their background is. There does seem to be a vetting process and they do seem to be human resources professionals, like ones that might be brought into a library setting. This could be a good thing to use in workshops or presentations or for those with a more visual learning style. It is probably not the defining resource on any topic, but it is a good way to get started or to check on some quick questions.
MULTICULTURAL OR MULTILINGUAL
McDermott, I. E. (2009). New Improved Internet Job Search Now With Social Networking. Searcher , 17 (4), 8-12.
This article incorporates some newer and changing technologies into the traditional job search. Besides giving librarians some practical advice, the article includes resources for Spanish speakers.
Long Branch Public Library (New Jersey)
Discussed further in the Role Models section, this site includes job sites and professional associations geared towards African Americans and Hispanics. Some of the information is local to New Jersey, but there are national organizations included as well.
OTHER
The American Library Association
According to their Public Programming Office, ALA can assist in developing programs and helping you find resources. Learn how to join a listserv and find contact information at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/resources/benefitspublic.cfm
State Libraries
Many state libraries may be able to purchase career reference databases or help develop websites or even help train librarians (McCarthy & Tumulty, 2010). What is available largely depends on the state and the unemployment needs of that particular state.
PubLib
This listserv is large and active. Librarians may find others who have tried similar programs or ideas. To search the archives more easily than using webjunction's search function, simply go to Google and type the subject you want to search:lists.webjunction.org (Schneider, 2005). To join the list visit, https://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
BOOKS
Jerrard, J. (2009). Crisis in Employment: a Librarian's Guide to Helping Job Seekers. Chicago: American Library Association.
If I could only recommend one resource for librarians planning career assistance, this would be it. From programming to which career websites to use to real life examples, Crisis in Employment is practical and easy to read. Appendix A includes key resources sorted by subject like networking, career change and interviewing. Appendix B has sample documents that libraries could adapt for their own purposes. A selection of these can be found at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/editions/webextras/jerrard10139/jerrard10139.cfm
Public Library Association, VGM Career Books (2004). Guide to Basic Resume Writing second edition. Chicago: VGM Career Books.
This written by the Public Library Association, is focused solely on resumes. It is pretty basic but it provides a foundation for getting started on a resume and does provide sample resumes for tricky cases like someone returning to the workforce.
Lear, B. W. (2002). Adult Programs in the Library. Chicago and London: American Library Association.
While it does not specifically address career-help, this is a good guide if your library has not done much programming for adults. If you already have strong adult programming initiatives, you can skip it. There are sample program evaluation programs at the end.
The Everything Books: School and Careers series
http://www.adamsmediastore.com/category/everything-school-careers
The "everything" brand covers everything from quilting to getting into college, but their career based books are easy to understand and practical. These provide an overview of a subject like interviewing and could be a good starting place--especially for a librarian that has not had to personally deal with the job market in a while. It may also be a good resource to recommend to an overwhelmed job seeker. While most of the books probably will not address specific situations, they do provide a broad framework to start from.
Matthews, Joseph (2007) The Evaluation and Measurement of Library Services, Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
For those struggling to determine user needs, how library computers are being used or how to evaluate current career-help programs, this book is a must. It explains common and alternative evaluation methods, including the ones discussed on the Evaluations page. There is also a chapter on how to read library statistics and one on how to apply those statistics toward community advocacy.
ARTICLES
Reed Business Information. (2010). E-SHORT TAKES. Library Journal , 135 (1), 145-6.
Before reading, note the author is Reed Business Information, which may own or have vested interest in some of the products reviewed. Almost every web-based career product reviewed is subscription based. However, that may be a worthwhile route for a library. Another advantage is that the article reviews some of the newer products on the market.
Tutor.com to Launch Adult Learning Center. (2009). Advanced Technology Libraries , 38 (5), 9.
Tutor.com is not a free resource but they do list public libraries as desired partners. This news snippet in Advanced Technology Libraries highlights some of the features that could be valuable, depending on what kind of investment the library is looking to make. They do offer a package geared toward adult learners and job seekers specifically for public libraries at: http://www.tutor.com/libraries/adults-career
McDermott, I. E. (2009). New Improved Internet Job Search Now With Social Networking. Searcher , 17 (4), 8-12.
This article incorporates some newer and changing technologies into the traditional job search. Besides giving librarians some practical advice, the article includes resources for Spanish speakers.
WEBSITES
Riley Guide
http://www.rileyguide.com/execute.html
Developed by librarians, this guide is comprehensive covering internet job searches, resumes and salaries. Started in 1994, the guide is updated regularly. This is a professional resource for both librarians and patrons. The website is section 508 compliant, so it is also compatible with adaptive technologies. The guide includes information on copyright of its articles and contact information.
Learning 2.0
http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/
This site was actually developed to help librarians learn about Web 2.0 technology at their own pace. It is a self-guided, nine week tutorial featuring various technologies. The great thing about this is its Creative Commons license, which has allowed libraries around the country to adapt the site to their own uses. It may be worth developing a shorter program for patrons or using this as a model for librarian training. The subject would not have to be limited to Web 2.0 either, but could be developed as a web technologies tutorial for job seekers.
Any of the websites from the Role Models section are also good resources to check out.
VIDEOS
E-How Careers and Work Videos
http://www.ehow.com/guide_3-careers_videos.html
There are hundreds of short videos on this site covering how to interview on the phone, how to freshen up a resume and how to dress for success, among other topics. Searching for something specific is not always easy, but once you find a relevant video, it is easy to chain to related ones. The people producing the videos announce who they are and what their background is. There does seem to be a vetting process and they do seem to be human resources professionals, like ones that might be brought into a library setting. This could be a good thing to use in workshops or presentations or for those with a more visual learning style. It is probably not the defining resource on any topic, but it is a good way to get started or to check on some quick questions.
MULTICULTURAL OR MULTILINGUAL
McDermott, I. E. (2009). New Improved Internet Job Search Now With Social Networking. Searcher , 17 (4), 8-12.
This article incorporates some newer and changing technologies into the traditional job search. Besides giving librarians some practical advice, the article includes resources for Spanish speakers.
Long Branch Public Library (New Jersey)
Discussed further in the Role Models section, this site includes job sites and professional associations geared towards African Americans and Hispanics. Some of the information is local to New Jersey, but there are national organizations included as well.
OTHER
The American Library Association
According to their Public Programming Office, ALA can assist in developing programs and helping you find resources. Learn how to join a listserv and find contact information at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/resources/benefitspublic.cfm
State Libraries
Many state libraries may be able to purchase career reference databases or help develop websites or even help train librarians (McCarthy & Tumulty, 2010). What is available largely depends on the state and the unemployment needs of that particular state.
PubLib
This listserv is large and active. Librarians may find others who have tried similar programs or ideas. To search the archives more easily than using webjunction's search function, simply go to Google and type the subject you want to search:lists.webjunction.org (Schneider, 2005). To join the list visit, https://lists.webjunction.org/mailman/listinfo/publib
