Developing Career Resources in Public Libraries
Past, Present & Future: Libraries as Career Centers
Why Libraries?
With all the other things for librarians to do, why should public libraries serve as career centers? It is a valid question to ask, but both scholarly literature and trade publications show public libraries who provide career resources are filling a void and fulfilling their missions.
Library programs should promote the collection, draw in those who do not normally use the library, help those who cannot afford to pay or increase visibility in the community (Lear, 2002). Devoting resources to job skills programs fits all of these obligations by using the collection to point people to career materials, filling a specific need for many who might not be library users, providing online access and performing a vital service for communities in the midst of a recession.
The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Research and Statistics published a report in 2009 that surveyed rural, suburban and urban librarians. Two thirds of the libraries that responded are providing some type of job assistance, up from 44 percent two years before, and "Aiding job seekers is increasingly being viewed as a vital role for public libraries..." (Jerrard, 2009, p. 1).
Furthermore, much of the modern-day job search is conducted online and a recent Gates Foundation study found a third of Americans 14 and older use library computers for some type of activity, including looking for jobs (Blankinship, 2010). While the study does not recognize libraries as the only source of computing power in a community, it is clear library resources are being used.
In fact, in the current economic recession, the nation's public libraries are becoming a type of triage center for job seekers desperately looking for free resources to help them brush up on their skills (Gronowska, 2009).
Triage Centers
“The library as an institution has many roles, but as our country struggles through an economic crisis, I have watched the library where I work evolve into a career and business center, a community gathering place and a bastion for hope,” (Gronowska, 2009).
Gronowska is not alone in viewing public libraries as emergency rooms for the unemployed. In New Jersey, the state put libraries at the forefront of the economic crisis by pushing people to their local library for help in filing for unemployment benefits. The state even provided training for 100 librarians. The Gates Foundation surveyed New Jersey towns and found that 78 percent of the time public libraries were the only source for free and public internet access (McCarthy & Tumulty, 2010). According to a local politician and the state library director, since so many search and application materials are now online, libraries and their computer terminals are essential for economic recovery (McCarthy & Tumulty, 2010).
History of help
But even before the recession, evidence suggests libraries had a role to play in providing career-help resources. According to an article out of Nebraska, library computers are seen as a community resource and they are mainly used to look for jobs (Bernardi, 2005). In fact, at one inner-city library, helping people navigate employment sites is considered a main reference duty (Bernardi, 2005).
In a study of low income residents, a Washington state library district found three of the four main information needs of their users related to career-help: search, job advancement and internet skills (Armstrong, Lord, & Zelter, 2000). That study asked non-library users in low income areas what they wanted from their library and the answer was overwhelmingly more help with career related information. The American Library Association’s programming statement also supports job skills workshops in libraries. According to the ALA, programming should enhance the quality of life in a community and part of that includes helping people look for work (American Library Association).
Training Librarians
The internet has rapidly changed the way people search for and find jobs. In fact, that is one reason public libraries are so essential in providing career-help because they provide both access and expertise. However, even with good intentions, librarians may not be trained to help. E-government is being touted as a function of public libraries, but librarians may not be qualified to help with complicated forms or even to direct people to the right resources (Jaeger & Bertot, 2009). Unemployment benefits and other forms of federal aid, along with job applications, may fall under what patrons expect librarians to know. For ideas on how to ensure librarians are up to speed, visit the Advice & Cautions page.
What next?
There is a precedent and a current need, but how does a library get started? Check out Examples & Advice for an idea of the wide range of career-help activities public libraries are currently providing. Find out how to get funding and see if your program was a success. The Resources for Librarians page also has suggestions for starting out.
With all the other things for librarians to do, why should public libraries serve as career centers? It is a valid question to ask, but both scholarly literature and trade publications show public libraries who provide career resources are filling a void and fulfilling their missions.
Library programs should promote the collection, draw in those who do not normally use the library, help those who cannot afford to pay or increase visibility in the community (Lear, 2002). Devoting resources to job skills programs fits all of these obligations by using the collection to point people to career materials, filling a specific need for many who might not be library users, providing online access and performing a vital service for communities in the midst of a recession.
The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Research and Statistics published a report in 2009 that surveyed rural, suburban and urban librarians. Two thirds of the libraries that responded are providing some type of job assistance, up from 44 percent two years before, and "Aiding job seekers is increasingly being viewed as a vital role for public libraries..." (Jerrard, 2009, p. 1).
Furthermore, much of the modern-day job search is conducted online and a recent Gates Foundation study found a third of Americans 14 and older use library computers for some type of activity, including looking for jobs (Blankinship, 2010). While the study does not recognize libraries as the only source of computing power in a community, it is clear library resources are being used.
In fact, in the current economic recession, the nation's public libraries are becoming a type of triage center for job seekers desperately looking for free resources to help them brush up on their skills (Gronowska, 2009).
Triage Centers
“The library as an institution has many roles, but as our country struggles through an economic crisis, I have watched the library where I work evolve into a career and business center, a community gathering place and a bastion for hope,” (Gronowska, 2009).
Gronowska is not alone in viewing public libraries as emergency rooms for the unemployed. In New Jersey, the state put libraries at the forefront of the economic crisis by pushing people to their local library for help in filing for unemployment benefits. The state even provided training for 100 librarians. The Gates Foundation surveyed New Jersey towns and found that 78 percent of the time public libraries were the only source for free and public internet access (McCarthy & Tumulty, 2010). According to a local politician and the state library director, since so many search and application materials are now online, libraries and their computer terminals are essential for economic recovery (McCarthy & Tumulty, 2010).
History of help
But even before the recession, evidence suggests libraries had a role to play in providing career-help resources. According to an article out of Nebraska, library computers are seen as a community resource and they are mainly used to look for jobs (Bernardi, 2005). In fact, at one inner-city library, helping people navigate employment sites is considered a main reference duty (Bernardi, 2005).
In a study of low income residents, a Washington state library district found three of the four main information needs of their users related to career-help: search, job advancement and internet skills (Armstrong, Lord, & Zelter, 2000). That study asked non-library users in low income areas what they wanted from their library and the answer was overwhelmingly more help with career related information. The American Library Association’s programming statement also supports job skills workshops in libraries. According to the ALA, programming should enhance the quality of life in a community and part of that includes helping people look for work (American Library Association).
Training Librarians
The internet has rapidly changed the way people search for and find jobs. In fact, that is one reason public libraries are so essential in providing career-help because they provide both access and expertise. However, even with good intentions, librarians may not be trained to help. E-government is being touted as a function of public libraries, but librarians may not be qualified to help with complicated forms or even to direct people to the right resources (Jaeger & Bertot, 2009). Unemployment benefits and other forms of federal aid, along with job applications, may fall under what patrons expect librarians to know. For ideas on how to ensure librarians are up to speed, visit the Advice & Cautions page.
What next?
There is a precedent and a current need, but how does a library get started? Check out Examples & Advice for an idea of the wide range of career-help activities public libraries are currently providing. Find out how to get funding and see if your program was a success. The Resources for Librarians page also has suggestions for starting out.
