Employability is key to libraries as they continue to diversify their services to include career services to meet the job seeking needs of community members. In fulfilling this crucial role, public libraries face challenges in providing career services for their community members. This dissertation probed and sought ways to continuously improve…

"Special Libraries, Special Challenges" is a column dedicated to exploring the unique public services challenges that arise in libraries that specialize in a particular subject, such as law, medicine, business, and so forth. In each column, the author will discuss public service dilemmas and opportunities that arise in special libraries.…

Libraries should stock their shelves with this practical guide to assist patrons in the search for their next great job. This Library How-To Handbook includes expert advice on the most effective ways to: (1) Conduct proper research; (2) Build networks of friends and colleagues; (3) Create a strong resume and cover letter; (4) Prepare for an…

The current recession has hit American workers hard. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ten percent of the U.S. workforce is unemployed (as of November 2009), the highest rate since April 1983. In addition, the labor market is experiencing record rates in the length of time job hunters remain unemployed, while companies receive hundreds…

According to the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy, it is estimated that 93 million adults in the United States have basic or below basic literacy skills. Those individuals found most lacking in literacy skills were adults living in poverty, adults lacking a high school diploma, seniors and the elderly aged 65 and older, the more than one…

Fewer employees, shorter hours, diminished collection budgets, reduced programs and services--all at a time of record library usage. In this book, library expert Carol Smallwood demonstrates that despite the obvious downsides, the necessity of doing business differently can be positive, leading to partnering, sharing, and innovating. This…

Some faculty and administrators naively believe that undergraduates come to campus as information literate individuals since these students know how to use computers and the Internet. Yet, as librarians, they know that there is more to IL than surfing search engines, IMing, and word processing. So marketing IL becomes a very important task. This…