PR for People Monthly June 2021 | Page 4

When people think of libraries, they tend to think of only books, but libraries offer a wealth of information and resources that far supersede our wildest imagination. Amazingly enough, these resources are offered for free. With the exception of paying for copies or fax transmission, all libraries offer a wide range of *free* services, including tutorial programs to learn a vast array of language, job and computer skills. 

For people who are seeking jobs, libraries offer free computer use and access to the internet. Job searcher are also able to gain access to databases, job banks and information about potential employers.  Many libraries offer assistance with building a resume, completing job applications and conducting job searches.

Taking a random look at libraries throughout America, here is a peek into job resources that are offered in five library systems in Bend, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; Laramie County, Wyoming; Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and Bangor, Maine.

Serving cities and towns around Bend, Oregon, the Deschutes Public Library gives their patrons a soup to nuts Job tip sheet that provides all of the essential ingredients to get started in your job search. Other learning tools provide online classes and professional courses designed to help you brush up on old skills or learn the latest in technology and business. Other helpful tools include a Job & Career Accelerator, a hodgepodge of powerful tools and expert guidance to help you find a great job. Please note that you must be a library patron in order to access this database.

The Boise Public Library in Boise Idaho offers resources for jobs and careers. Their Cypress Resume Database allows patrons to create resumes in three easy steps. One database, the Mergent Intellect, provides patrons with demographics, consumer data, and both national and global industry information. Two programs, GCF Learn Free and the LearningExpress Library, allow patrons to learn basic skills in math and computer training as well as tutorials in standardized tests for college admission. Study guides and practice tests are available for those who want to pursue careers in government, law enforcement, education and the healthcare industry.

Libraries We Love:

Job Seeking? Go to your local library!

Each month, we profile a library: Large, small, urban, rural, post-modern, quaint or neo-classic.

This month Patricia Vaccarino writes about the many ways that libraries provide resources to

people searching for jobs.