C.H. Booth Library reference director Beryl Harrison and her staff are very aware of the number of people job-hunting these days. Those who find themselves suddenly jobless find refuge at the library, some just passing time, but others utilizing the library’s resources to find new work.

Knowing where to begin that job search and the tools needed to be successful in finding new employment can be overwhelming for those already dealing with the emotional and financial impacts of unemployment.

 “What people might not realize is there is no fee to use any of the library’s resources, including assistance from professionals on staff,” said Ms Harrison.

Ms Harrison and reference librarian Andrea Zimmermann outlined the resources offered by the library.

In addition to the many books in the careers section, the library offers help formatting the resume. “One of the library’s databases, LearningExpressLibrary, offers a step-by-step guide that helps you determine which resume format is best for your situation, and prompts you to input information,” said Ms Zimmermann. The result is a finished resume. This web-based tool can be accessed from home with a Newtown library card, or at the library.

The library also offers help setting up a free email account. An email account is necessary to apply for jobs online.

Search out potential employers through the use of the library’s classified ads, handouts with an abundance of job-hunting websites, books, and access to two databases, iConn’s Business and Company Resource Center and ReferenceUSA. Use the databases to explore the state of any industry and create a list of companies in the field of interest. ReferenceUSA will allow users to specify criteria when searching for companies in their field: sales volume, number of employees, location (state, county, zip code), etc. These two databases are available remotely with a Newtown library card, or at the library.

If you are seeking a position that requires a test, such as the fields of law enforcement, real estate, cosmetology, Praxis, or civil service, the library’s LearningExpressDatabase offers recently retired exams for online testing practice. Scores are instantly available.

The reference department staff has also put together a packet of information for job seekers, available at the third floor reference desk or on the library’s website. Look for the “job-hunting” button on the chboothlibrary.org home page to link to resources.

People may be unaware that reference librarians are available for conference and assistance, said Ms Zimmermann. “Anyone who needs assistance with any step of the job-hunting process can set up an appointment to meet with a reference librarian between the hours of 2 to 5 pm, Mondays and Fridays. Our goal is to help people connect to the many resources available through the library that can facilitate their job search,” said Ms Zimmermann. “We are all well-versed in the use of the databases, the resume program, creating free email accounts, and accessing information online. We realize being unemployed is a very serious situation for people, and we do our best to help them.”