A Job Hunters Guide to the Library

Libraries are ideal for career research since their hours are generally very good-almost everyone can find some time when they're free and the library is open. In addition, most services and materials in the library are free. Moreover, with the possibility of inter-library loans and the growing cooperative arrangements among libraries, access to books and materials is increased many times for the library patron turned job hunter. All these features make the library a good place to start the sometimes difficult tasks of choosing a career or finding a job.

Tips on Using the Library
The first step in using the public library for career information is to discover what materials are available in the collection, and how to locate and use these materials. Talk with the librarian in charge to get the full benefit of the library. He or she will be very familiar with these procedures.
Asking for help is also a good idea for several other reasons. The librarian will know not only what is in the collection, but what particular items will be of the most use to the patron. The librarian will also have quick access to the most current in formation in the collection . Often books that are very useful do not circulate. For example, most libraries own the Occupational Outlook Handbook but many libraries keep the current edition in the reference section-frequently behind the reference librarian's desk. Patrons are sometimes asked to leave in I.D. to use it.

A second basic rule is in using the public library for career information is to allocate a sufficient amount of time to explore the resources. All library work is investigative and often the best information or source is turned up only after a patient search. Of course, this doesn't mean jobseekers need to read each book or pamphlet of interest thoroughly. Using the book's index and table of contents first is often the proper method and a time saver. Patrons should avoid hurrying while still being selective.

One of the first good resources for job information that most public libraries provide is the bulletin board, which may be located in one of the entrances to the library. Frequently posted on the bulletin board are job vacancy announcements for local governments, as well as the U.S. Employment Service's Occupations in Demand, a comprehensive listing of jobs most frequently requested at 2,500 Job Service offices around the country. For each occupation, it provides information on local areas having large numbers of openings, industries requesting workers, pay ranges, and average number of openings available. It also lists jobs not requiring previous work experience.

The bulletin board is likely to feature notices of pertinent workshops on developing job-finding skills. Also posted may be brochures on counseling services available free or at nominal cost at local colleges or universities.

Libraries may have racks containing brochures and pamphlets of interest to the local community. Many of these are useful to job hunters. Often located here are community college evening division schedules featuring classes in vocational guidance or professional development. For example, one schedule posted recently at a large community public library listed these courses: The Federal Government's Professional and Administrative Career Examination (PACE) Preparation, Teachers in Transition, Programming in Basic Computers, Certified Professional Secretary Exam Prep, Exploring Data Processing Careers , and Word Processing and Automated Office Techniques. Another flyer on the brochure rack in the same library listed the facilities and services available at a local employment center for women re-enter the job market.

In response to the many questions from library patrons on the availability and location of a career and vocational materials in the library, some libraries have put together specific bibliographies on the library's collection. These are helpful since they often indicate the call numbers and Dictionary of Occupational Titles (D.O.T.) code numbers. Sometimes the bibliography will be on a particular career field. For example, one library featured a bibliography on "Careers in Music." Or, a bibliography will be aimed at a special group of jobseekers-one library offered a 12-page bibliography called "Guide to Re-entering the Workforce," aimed at women returning to work.

The record catalog may be the next stop for the job seeking patron. More and more libraries, especially those in county systems, are establishing record collections. Some useful records may be found on self-improvement topics: Increasing typing and dictation skills , selling techniques, speaking style, and foreign language fluency.

Some libraries do have one or more typewriters available for public use. If the job hunter does not own a typewriter, he or she should telephone the library in the most convenient location and ask about using a public typewriter. Letters of application, resumes and other items may be typed in the library and photostatic copies made.

Most libraries that earnestly collect career materials have special files, sometimes called "vertical files" by librarians because of their format. The librarian can explain how these are organized, whether by D.O.T. codes, alphabetically, or otherwise.

The material collected in these files can be quite varied: occupational briefs, career literature from professional associations, bibliographies, and even articles from newspapers or magazines. Some libraries include articles on individual companies or employers.

Periodicals
The periodical section of most libraries contains much useful information on jobs and careers. Trade journals and professional magazines provide current information. Besides these publications, more popular periodicals regularly feature articles on careers and job hunting. Getting a job and getting ahead in the working world are frequent topics. Even if the local library has a limited supply of trade of professional publications, it will very likely have a good supply of popular magazines. In addition, periodicals have the advantage of being more timely than books or other reference materials. Some magazines feature articles on careers, training, aptitude testing, applying for jobs, and opportunities in small business for all jobhunters. Others such as Working Women or Black Collegian, are geared toward specific groups.

For specific career fields or topics, jobseekers may wish to use the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature or a newer index carried by many libraries, the Magazine Index. For more business-oriented articles, the Business Periodicals Index may be appropriate. Newspapers are often included in the periodical section of the library. Besides local daily and weekly newspapers, libraries often carry special newspapers, like Baron's and out-of-town metropolitan dailies. The Newspaper Index can help with the search for specific information from newspapers. Libraries that can't afford a large collection of newspapers may nevertheless have the classified advertisement section from the Sunday edition of large newspapers such as the N.Y. Times or the Washington Post for job hunters.

The periodicals department may also file newsletters from various organizations and community agencies. These frequently list job vacancies for county and federal government. Commercial newsletters which list job openings are also finding their way into more and more libraries. Look for the Federal Research Service and the Federal Jobs Newsletter which are published every two weeks in alternate weeks, and list job vacancies in the federal government.

Books
Looking for books in the library collection will take patrons to many sections of the library. Bibliographies are especially helpful, but if they're not available patrons can make their own bibliographies tailored to meet their individual needs. The place to begin is at the card catalog. Jobseekers might want to look up books recommended by friends or found in bibliographies of books they've read.

Some books in the library collection are general. Some of these in the general category are job hunting guides, occupational training books and books on specific career fields. Biographies and autobiographies can also be important sources of career information: Books such as Dennis Smith's Report From Engine Company No. 82, are rich with details of exactly what the work is like.

The OOH is likely to be found in the card catalog of most libraries. Patrons should be aware that circulating copies are usually the older editions and salary and statistical information may no longer be current. For the latest edition, the patron should ask the librarian.

Books in more specific categories also may be found, such as books on preparing for employment tests, interviewing for jobs and writing resumes. The Liberian can also be helpful in recommending books. There are many subjects under which books on employment and finding a job may be listed. Patrons can look under specific career title, or a specific topic. Again, consult the librarian because new books on careers and job hunting are published all the time. In a special section for new arrivals, the library may have new books not yet listed in the card catalog.
Without a book title or author, patrons may have difficulty finding the exact subject heading for the books they need. It is wise to try several headings to locate the best selection. A comprehensive list of subject headings can be found in Sear's List of Subject Headings or the Library of Congress Subject Headings These give synonyms of subject titles related to jobs and employment. Some suggested subject headings for books on occupations and job hunting are listed below.

Affirmative Action Applications Apprenticeship Business Etiquette Careers Civil Service Discrimination Earnings Employers Employment Employment Agencies Employment Employment Problems Employment Tests Opportunities

Equal Employment Executives Fair Labor Standards, Grooming Industry Act Job Hunting Job Satisfaction Job Search Jobs Jobseekers Labor Movement Management Occupational Outlook Pay

Performance Personal Satisfaction Personal Professional Development Professions Development Recruiting Resumes Self Employment Trade Unions Vocational Training Women Work

Reference
An important section in the library for jobseekers is the reference division, which has many valuable books that individuals couldn't afford or comfortably keep. Many reference books, depending on the interests and needs of the job hunter, may prove extremely useful. The needs of the person seeking labor market information will be different from those of he person exploring careers.

Again, the librarian can offer help by directing patrons to the proper sections in the reference collection and pointing out new guidebooks or directories which may be of particular use. In many cases, if the library does not have a specific reference book or index, the librarian can suggest an equally good substitute. Also, the librarian may be able to point out any reference books which are designed for specific groups. For example, the reference collection may have special books for women reentering the world of work, such as the Women's Guide to Career Preparation,

Scholarships, Grants, and Loans, by Ann Jarvin.
Jobseekers use the reference section to get many kinds of information including information on company executives. For such help any of the following may be recommended: Standard and Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in commerce and Industry, Dun and Bradstreet's Million Dollar Directory, and Dun and Bradstreet's Middle Market Directory.

For general information, librarians may suggest Career Guide to Professional Information; A Directory of Organizations by Occupational Field (1976) or the National Trade Associations of he U.S. and Canada and Labor Unions, 1980. Other useful tools are the Directory of Career Planning and Placement Offices and the College Placement Annual, both published by the College Placement Council.

For information on Federal jobs and filling out applications, librarians may suggest the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's Handbook X118 which gives detailed job descriptions for hundreds of government positions.

Some jobseekers want specific information on the local area and job market. Most public libraries have local directories. The reference librarian in one Fairfax County library made the following suggestions for patrons seeking information on local businesses:

• Industrial Directory of Virginia
• Industrial Directory of Fairfax County
• Principal Employers of the Washington Metro Area
• The Business Review of Washington

Annual reports form companies are sometimes useful for jobseekers wanting information on current salary ranges in specific occupations. The Occupational Outlook Handbook also has salary information. The library may have the annual report published by the College Placement Council for college graduates on salary offers form various industries.

The reference section in most public libraries have telephone directories of cities throughout the United States. The Yellow Pages list and classify by product or service literally millions of employers, companies, and businesses which compilers of large directories frequently overlook. The Yellow Pages also list local business, trade, and professional associations. Other Important listings include employment agencies, executive recruiters, and temporary help agencies. The White Pages from cities around the country also list millions of potential employers, but patrons need to know the name of the employer. But in using the White Pages, patrons have the advantage of seeing a breakdown of departments or divisions within an establishment-whether it's a company, university, or government agency. Job hunters may uncover departments that they were previously unaware of but that may be of assistance in finding a job.

The reference section within the library is of particular value to the mobile job hunter. Whether people actually receive a job offer or are interested in relocating, they need to assess the suitability of the new area. Factors which play an important part in deciding whether to move include the educational facilities, climate, housing convenience of commuting, transportation services, recreation, and cost of living of the new area.

To assess these factors, the job hunter should locate both local and out-of-town directories and newspapers for areas of interest. The reference librarian can help in locating suitable directories and other reference materials. See the list at the end of this article or some suggested directories.

Most libraries have a special section for educational catalogs and reference materials. These include books on specific colleges and universities, financial aid, and special directories. Undergraduate and graduate college catalogs from schools around the country are often arranged alphabetically in separate sections. Nearby are directories of secondary schools and community colleges. Peterson's Guides are popular reference items often located near other miscellaneous directories such as the Secondary and Private School Directory, How to Prepare for College Entrance Exams, and directories of correspondence courses and alternative ways to get college credit. Also included in this section of the library are guides to financial aid-a popular one being Need a Lift? A guide to Educational Opportunities, Careers, Loans, Scholarships and Employment, by the American Legion.

One of the best career resource centers around may be the public library. Indeed, libraries today are as much for job hunters as book lovers. Through a little patient research, job hunters can obtain assistance and information on careers, getting a job, or employer. And very likely, if the library doesn't have the answer, the librarian will know where to get it. That's quite a service for any serious job hunter.

The following is a list of directories and reprints useful to the mobile job hunter, based on a bibliography done by James D. Lockwood, reference librarian at Indiana University.

American Automobile Association Tour Guides provide a great deal of information regarding some communities. If these are unavailable, other travel guides may be of use.
Quality of Life Indicators in the United States Metropolitan Areas, 1970 (1975), compares 245 metropolitan areas with others of similar size along economic, political, environmental, health, and education and variety of social dimensions. Similar studies of this nature are also published if the library does not have this particular one.
Uniform Crime Reports for the U.S. which is published annually by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reports crime ratio (by time of crime) for certain cities with over 10,000 or more inhabitants.
Job Hunter's Guide to Eight American Cities, by Richard D. Salmon, gives details on the cities of Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.
County Business Patterns, published by the Bureau of the Census of the United States Department of Commerce has information arranged by State, the county, on the number of employees and units in the following services: Agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation, retail trade, services, amusements, and more.
Statistical Abstract of the United States, U.S. Bureau of Census: Annual Summary of statistics related to social, political, and economic aspects of the United States.
Guide to the Health Care Field, published annually by the American Hospital Association, lists health care institutions in the United States by city or town, their accreditation or approvals, and selected services and facilities.
The National Atlas of the United States of America gives information on numerous subjects of interest to the mobile job hunter including economic factors, agriculture, minerals, manufactures, business, concentrations of retail trade, transportation routes, communication facilities, railroad and air transportation, sociocultural factors, concentration of crime, religious an ethnic populations, educational institutions, administrative factors. Federal lands including National forests, parks, recreation areas and military facilities.
Directory of Shopping Centers in U.S. and Canada annual. Approximately 20,000 shopping centers listed.
Million Dollar Directory and Middle Market Directory, Dun & Bradstreet, N.Y., are published annually. The first features a supplemental geographical section (section II). They also contain lists of businesses according to net worth, addresses, phone numbers, business type, and annual sales, names of principals and number of employees.
Patterson's American Education published annually by Educational Directories, Inc., lists public and private educational institutions from elementary schools to universities by city or town for each state, including enrollment figures.
Russell's Official National Motor Coach Guide (Official Business Guide), published monthly by Russell's Guides, lists 450 intercity bus companies, along with time-tables, schedules, and types of terminals or stations. Part 2, (in separate volume) provides addresses, hours, lines served, and additional information about each bus depot, station, or terminal
Ayer's Directory of Publications, published annually, gives statistical and economic data by city and state: Population, income ranges, sales, housing, transportation, and banking. It covers 8.600 cities and towns-mostly in the United States.