Free Library Blog

Uncle Sam wants you ... to have a great career! Part II

Communications Office — 2009-10-27T09:50:00-05:00

My last entry discussed U.S. Government resources for career assessment. This entry will feature resources that can inform you about the world of work. An important part of career decision-making is understanding what kinds of jobs and careers reflect what you learned through self assessment, and the U.S. Department of Labor has great resources that can help you find jobs that are appropriate for you in the real world.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is Uncle Sam’s career bible. It provides essential information on hundreds of occupations, and each occupation is presented in its own "statement," which describes the type of work performed, the work environment, education and training requirements, possible advancement, the employment outlook, and typical earnings. The Occupational Outlook Handbook also lists professional and trade groups that you can contact for more information. This valuable resource is revised every two years and has other features of interest to job seekers. A chapter called “Tomorrow’s Jobs” discusses statistics and trends in the labor force and features easy-to-understand charts of the fastest growing and declining occupations.

Occupational Outlook Quarterly
This magazine is published four times a year and serves as an update between revisions to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It offers the latest information on jobs and careers, and articles are written in straightforward, non-technical language and cover a wide variety of career and work-related topics, such as new and emerging occupations, training opportunities, salary trends, and results of new studies from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is the first place where the U.S. Department of Labor’s 10 year employment projections are published.

The Occupational Outlook Quarterly has two sections that appear in every issue. The “Grab Bag” has short articles on varied topics related to careers with links to agencies and organizations to contact, and “You’re a What?” offers a day in the working life of real people. Examples include a solar panel installer, an auctioneer, and a voice actor. Another great feature of this resource is the online 10 year archive of issues. You can search by topic, regular features, or charts. All of the articles and data can be downloaded to your computer.

Career Guide to Industries
A companion to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Career Guide discusses careers from an industry perspective and highights the relationships between different occupations and how they cooperate within industries. This allows you to see a range of opportunities and career paths within different industries. The 2008-09 edition of the Career Guide discusses more than 44 industries, including manufacturing, transportation, financial services, education and health services, leisure and hospitality, government advocacy and grant making, construction, and natural resources.

For more information on how to find a great career, check out WORKPLACE Wednesdays, which kicks off again with How to Write a Résumé on November 4 at 6:00 p.m. at the Parkway Central Library.

Don’t forget the Job Fair at Northeast Regional Library takes place on Tuesday, November 10, from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.!

You're invited to our first-ever Borrowers (un)Ball!

Communications Office — 2009-10-22T10:52:00-05:00

Give your dancing shoes a night off and join Library lovers across the city on Saturday, November 7th in a celebration of literacy and the vital role the Free Library of Philadelphia plays in our community! In lieu of our annual gala, we are hosting the first-ever Borrowers (un)Ball, which invites “guests” to support the Library without leaving home! This year, you can purchase an (un)ticket and curl up with a great book in the coziest corner of your home—by cutting the costs of an elegant gala, we are able to ensure that the majority of proceeds directly benefit Library programs and services!

So why not contribute what you would typically spend on an evening out on the town? Instead of spending money on dinner and drinks, you can help support services like our after-school programs and literacy training… all while unwinding in your pajamas and getting lost in the pages of a bestseller, a classic tome, or whatever you prefer!

For information on how to donate, click here. Happy reading!

Mostly Local: Recent Acquisitions by the Print and Picture Collection

Communications Office — 2009-10-15T11:39:00-05:00

The Parkway Central Library’s Print and Picture Collection is currently hosting a new exhibition of artists’ books, photographs, and prints acquired by purchase or gift in 2008 and 2009. On display through November 14, the exhibition mainly features work from local artists.

The Print and Picture Collection doesn’t have an endowment like some other special collections at the Free Library. For our acquisitions, we have relied on gifts from artists and collectors, a very small amount of mostly private Library funds, and money raised by the Friends of the Print and Picture Collection.

Because of the city budget crisis the past year, we bought very few photographs and fine prints in 2008 and 2009. We purchased a number of fairly inexpensive artists’ books, primarily at the Hybrid Book Fair at the University of the Arts in June, and some from individuals. We were also grateful to receive a very generous gift from Lilyan Maitin—24 prints by her late husband Sam, which served as a nice addition to the prints of his which were already in the collection. Several of the artists who participated in this year’s Robert Looney Memorial Event donated a print to the collection, as well. As it turns out, and as is our focus, most of our acquisitions are of work by local artists.

The Print and Picture Collection houses research collections of images of Philadelphia, as well as extensive fine art prints, photographs, and artists' books collections. A circulating picture collection of news photographs and pictures and illustrations clipped from books and magazines is also available to Library customers. The Print and Picture Collection is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 215-686-5405.

Uncle Sam wants you & to have a great career!

Communications Office — 2009-10-14T15:19:00-05:00

Yes, Uncle Sam has free online resources for career planning and job searching. Over the next few blogs, I’ll discuss some of these resources and how they can help you to develop and reach your career goals. Whether you are young and trying to choose a good career, or an older worker making a career change, the United States Department of Labor has tools and resources for job seekers of any age. Career development requires you to know your interests, skills, abilities, and values. Once you complete these self assessments, you can explore careers using your knowledge of yourself to help you to make a good choice. Check out the resources below and explore your interests, identify your skills, and learn about new career paths!

O*NET Resource Center
Consider and plan your career options, preparation, and transitions more effectively. Some of these self-directed career assessment tools available from the O*NET Resource Center are listed below.

O*NET Interest Profiler: This self-assessment tool can help you discover work activities and occupations you enjoy. Identify and learn about interest areas most relevant to you, and use your results to explore the world of work. The O*NET Interest Profiler is available in a paper and pencil version and an online version. www.onetcenter.org/IP.html
O*NET Skills Search: The Skills Search function is designed to help you use your skill set to identify occupations for exploration. By selecting a set of skills from six broad groups, you can create a customized skill list.

Career Voyages is a collaboration of the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education. It targets four groups: Students, Career Changers, Parents, and Career Advisors. Career Voyages has several components, one of which is Career Compass, a helpful resource that uses your interests to find occupations that might be right for you.

Career Compass links to America’s Career Resource Network, which features the Career Decision Making Tool (CMDT). The Career Decision-Making Tool helps you to: select a suitable career direction; identify the kinds of occupations within your chosen career direction; and pinpoint the kinds of learning you will need to qualify for and perform selected occupations. Anyone looking for a step-by-step process for choosing a career path will find this a valuable resource. Not only does it provide a process for choosing a career path, it helps you to understand how the world of work is organized.
Other features of Career Voyages are Career Videos; Green Jobs; Tools and Technology (used in high demand occupations); and Worker Reemployment.

If you visit these sites, you will be impressed by the range and quality of information the government has to offer. You’ll also believe that Uncle Sam does want you to have a great career! Stay tuned, on my next blog, I’ll introduce you to the government resources about the world of work.

Don’t forget: this week’s WORKPLACE Wednesday covers interviewing tips, and next week's program will be held in the Tech Lab on the ground floor and feature computer and internet resources for jobs and careers.

What do you think of Persepolis so far?

Communications Office — 2009-10-09T16:55:00-05:00

Marjane Satrapi’s memoir, Persepolis, captured my full attention on the first page—the image of young girls playing with their veils instead of wearing them made me chuckle. I read volume one in one sitting, and hurriedly placed Persepolis 2: The Story of a Childhood on hold through the Free Library’s website. Satrapi’s story of growing up in Iran is at once heartbreaking and humorous, while presenting some pretty heavy history through the eyes of a young Iranian girl coming of age during the Islamic Revolution. The Complete Persepolis is intriguing, inspiring, and enriching—naturally, I was thrilled when it was named the 2010 One Book, One Philadelphia featured reading selection, and I can’t wait until the program kicks off in January!

In the meantime, I invite you to share your thoughts on the book here on the blog. Have you started reading yet? Or perhaps you’re like me, and finished it in one sitting! What were some of your first impressions of Satrapi’s story? The first 30 pages on their own present a rich story—a 10-year-old Satrapi struggles to understand the Islamic Revolution and discovers how her own family’s history is intertwined in her country’s political turmoil. What do you think of Satrapi’s discussions with God? Do you remember a point in your childhood where you struggled to understand a very serious and complicated situation? Share some of your opinions and recollections below!

Digital Bookmobile Makes a Stop at the Free Library

Communications Office — 2009-10-08T16:34:00-05:00

Interested in the Free Library’s downloadable resources but not sure where to start? Stop by the Parkway Central Library on Friday, October 16 between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and hop aboard the digital bookmobile! Equipped with broadband internet-connected computers, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players, the digital bookmobile serves as a high-tech update to the traditional bookmobile.

Readers of all ages are invited to check out the digital downloading services offered by the Free Library, and interactive demonstrations on the 74-foot digital bookmobile will show Free Library cardholders how they can check out and download digital titles at home and on-the-go. Learning stations give visitors an opportunity to search the Library’s digital media collection, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. From the eFreeLibrary page, users can download from a growing collection of titles and enjoy them on a computer or transport them to a supported mobile device. Many audio titles can be burned to CDs, and digital downloads alleviate any worries about overdue materials and late fees—at the end of the lending period, digital titles automatically expire!

After you take the tour of the digital bookmobile on Friday, be sure to sign up for your chance to win an mp3 player—a perfect way to store your new digital titles! The digital bookmobile is operated by OverDrive, Inc. To check out and download digital books, music, and more, visit freelibrary.org and click on “eFreeLibrary” in the Explore section.

Philly Plays Scrabble Begins!

Communications Office — 2009-10-01T16:14:00-05:00

Philly Plays Scrabble kicked off this morning when Philadelphia Deputy Police Commissioner Charlotte Council and Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers squared off for a friendly game of Scrabble in Parkway Central. Local students chimed in with strategies and help, and in the end Deputy Commissioner Council won.

Join us for a month-long tournament of Scrabble at various branches throughout the city. Find all scrabble events in our calendar.

To volunteer for the Scrabble program, please contact the Volunteer Services Program at 215-686-5340, or at volunteer@freelibrary.org.

THE FOLLOW-UP: Is it the Missing Link in Your Job Search?

Communications Office — 2009-09-29T13:37:00-05:00

You’ve been on the internet for weeks applying for jobs. But you never hear back from employers. Or maybe you had a great interview last week. You’re anxious to hear about the job, but there hasn’t been a response from the hiring manager.

What should you do? Follow up with each employer. Find out if the job is still open or if it has been filled. Once you know the situation, you can take one of the following actions: cut your loss and move on; reconnect with the employer about the specific position or others you are qualified for; or request a second interview to reinforce your interest in the position.

What should you say in a follow-up? When following up regarding an online application, your message might be something like:

My name is John Jones. I applied for a medical billing clerk position posted on your website on August 15. It is now August 30, and I have not received a response from you. Please let me know if the position is still open, or if the position has been filled. If the position has been filled, I assure you that I’m still interested in working at name of company or organization).

Thank you for time. I would greatly appreciate a response.

When following up regarding an interview, your message might be something like:

Thank you again for interviewing me for the medical billing position at (name of company or organization) on August 15. You thought a hiring decision would be made within two-three weeks. Since that time has passed, I would like to know if the position has been filled. If so, I assure you that I’m still interested in working at (name of company or organization). Please keep my resume on file and contact me for any position for which I’m qualified. If the position is available, I would be happy to come in for a second interview to review my qualifications with you.

Thank you for time. I would greatly appreciate a response.

Why should you follow up? It demonstrates that you are a serious and persistent job seeker. It puts your name in front of people who are responsible for hiring again. It eliminates false hope about jobs that you think are still “possibilities.” You will know that you have done all that you can to reach out to employers. This will give you confidence to be assertive and determined in your job search.

Good luck !

This week's WORKPLACE Wednesday is Résumé Critique. The workshop on October 7 is Job Hunting Tips & Techniques. Both workshops are in the Skyline Room at the Parkway Central Library at 6:00 p.m.

Workplace Tips

Communications Office — 2009-09-22T14:49:00-05:00

Hi there! Paul Savedow here, your go-to librarian for career resources. I am the head of the Education, Religion, and Philosophy Department in the Parkway Central Library and run WORKPLACE Wednesdays, a weekly program that can help you create and improve your résumé, search for new jobs, and help you figure out a new career path. Each Wednesday this fall, WORKPLACE Wednesdays will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Parkway Central’s Skyline Room on the fourth floor. Free of charge, the programs are designed for adult job seekers and feature advice on workplace topics such as career decision making, writing and critiquing résumés, job hunting tips and techniques, interviewing skills, and computer and internet resources. Tomorrow's program will address creating and improving your résumé.

To complement WORKPLACE Wednesdays, I am proud to introduce a new blog on WORKPLACE tips! Every other week, I will be blogging about need-to-know topics like company and industry research, the role of professional organizations in career choices and job searching, employer expectations, federal government career resources, and more!

For a sneak peak of the services available at WORKPLACE Wednesdays, check out the video below and watch Tracy Davidson interview me about the variety of valuable resources and services we offer!

Free Library from Tracy Davidson on Vimeo.

You can find me here next week for your first dose of WORKPLACE tips as I blog about following up on job applications and interviews. Until then, happy job hunting!

For questions, you can call the WORKPLACE at 215-686-5436.

By Paul S.

2010 One Book Author Visits Parkway Central Tomorrow!

Communications Office — 2009-09-22T12:26:00-05:00

I know, I know. Tomorrow’s free lecture with Marjane Satrapi, author of this year’s One Book, One Philadelphia featured reading selection, has been on your calendar since we announced the selection last week. But just in case it slipped your mind—or perhaps you lost your planner—tomorrow is your only chance to see Satrapi live in Philadelphia for the 2010 One Book program period!

A humorous and heartbreaking memoir of growing up in Iran during a time of political revolution, Satrapi’s The Complete Persepolis is the first graphic novel chosen for One Book. Accompanying children and teen reading selections will be announced during tomorrow’s celebration, which begins at 7:30 p.m. The event is free, so be sure to arrive early and get a good seat! And don’t forget to stick around after the lecture—Satrapi will be autographing copies of her book!

The 2010 One Book program period officially begins on January 20, and in the coming months, we will discuss chapters of The Complete Persepolis right here on the blog. Stop by and share your thoughts!