Kimberly Gorman

LIS 560 - Autumn 2014

Training Module Part A
Audience and Topic:
Providing Vocational and Employment Information in the Public Library

The public library is an important community resource, particularly when it comes to

vocational and employment information. According to Pew Research, over half of survey
respondents, when asked how important library services are to themselves and their families,
report that help finding and/or applying for a job is very important or somewhat important.
Pew also reports that libraries are also particularly valued by those who are unemployed,
retired, or searching for a job, indicating that public libraries are an extremely valuable part of
their communities, especially in regard to employment (Zickuhr, Rainie, Purcell, & Duggan,
2013). Job-seeking resources are among the most critical and most in demand among the
technology resources available in U.S. public libraries, according to a 2010 report by the
American Library Association, due to the fact that many employers and government agencies
now require online job applications. (Life Science Weekly, 2010).

Audience
Nationally, in September, the unemployment rate declined by 0.2 percentage point to 5.9
percent. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 329,000 to 9.3 million, while in the
state of Oregon there were 133,600 unemployed for an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent in July
2014. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Therefore, we have a very large potential audience. In

order to create a sustainable learning environment, we would limit the number of participants for
each session.
The unemployed population covers a broad range of demographics -- young, old, bluecollar, white-collar, all races and genders. A recent large-scale study by the University of
Washington iSchool found that the use of the library technology for employment needs is
highest among:
Lower income and impoverished people;
Those of mixed race, Blacks or African Americans, and American Indians or Alaska natives;
Those between the ages of 19 and 64;
Men; and
People who speak languages other than English at home. (Becker et al., 2010)
This was a nationwide study, however, so local demographics will vary. In Oregon, for example,
the percentage of those who are Black or African American is only 2.0% while nationwide the
percentage is 13.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014), so the intended audience is going to be slightly
different depending on local population makeup, as well as local industries and employers.
Additionally, those searching for a job may be currently employed and searching for a
better position or a different company, underemployed, or unemployed. Therefore, the
presentation needs to take into account the different needs of each of these groups.

Information Seeking Behavior

The information seeking behavior of those searching for a job is largely dependent on the
individual's attitude and perception of the job-seeking process. For instance, people who regard
job seeking as more beneficial and more pleasurable are more likely to intend to search for a

(new) job than people with less positive attitudes towards job seeking. (Hooft, Born, Taris,
Flier, & Blonk, 2004). And, according to this same study, people will be more likely to form
job search intentions if they are more confident about their ability to perform job search
activities.
Hooft, et al. (2004) found that their study subjects participated in the following job search
activities: making inquiries/reading about getting a job, preparing/revising resume, reading
classified/help wanted advertisements, talking with friends or relatives about possible job leads,
speaking with previous employers or business acquaintances about possible job leads, visiting
job fairs, contacting employment agencies, looking for jobs on the internet, making inquiries to
prospective employers, sending out application letters, and going on a job interview.
A review of previous research, completed by Hoye & Saks (2008), identified six
frequently occurring job-seeking behaviors: looking at job ads, visiting job sites, networking,
contacting employment agencies, contacting employers, and submitting applications.

Information Needs
There are numerous information needs of the job-seeking population:
How to create a resum: Participants may have a resum that just needs updating or polishing,
while others may have never written a resum. Along with a resum, skill at writing a cover
letter is an information need.
Exploring careers and job trends: This could include exploring the Occupational Outlook
Handbook online or by hard copy at the library.
Increasing employability skills: This can be accomplished by taking classes (computer courses,
for example), volunteering, or job-shadowing.

Training and educational programs: Courses available through the local community college,
state and local governments, and the public library.
Job search skills: How to search want ads, employer websites, job websites, attending job fairs.
How to complete a job application. Strategies for applying for jobs, both in person and online.
Job interview skills: Mock interviews, public speaking experience.
Specialized services for seniors, veterans, and those with disabilities: Contact with
organizations serving those select groups.
Networking skills: Contacting previous employers and co-workers, friends, relatives, attending
job fairs.
In a practical setting, it would be virtually impossible to cover all of those needs in a
single session; therefore, a number of separate presentations would need to be designed and
scheduled over a period of time. With this limitation, my current presentation will focus
specifically on job seekers performing a job search and completing an application online at the
public library in Eugene, Oregon.

Needs and Skills

Need: Ability to use a computer and access the Internet.
Skill: Basic computer competencies and Internet access
Need: Finding information about job opportunities
Skill: Evaluating job-related websites for legitimacy and reliability
Need: Ability to complete an online job application
Skill: Completing a job application online and uploading a resum

Survey Questions
1. Are you employed?
a. No.
b. Yes, part-time.
c. Yes, full-time.
d. Self-employed.
2. How long have you been looking for a job?
a. Just starting.
b. 0-6 months.
c. 7 months - 1 year.
d. 1-2 years.
e. More than 2 years.
3. Have you used library services in the past year?
a. Yes, within the past month.
b. Yes, within the past 2-6 months.
c. Yes, within the past 6 months to 1 year.
d. No.
4. What is your skill level using computers?
a. Never used a computer.
b. Beginner.
c. Intermediate.
d. Expert.
5. Do you have access to the Internet at home?

a. Yes.
b. No.
c. Dont know.
6. Have you ever used the Internet to search for a job?
a. Yes.
b. No.
c. Dont know.
7. Have you ever filled out a job application online?
a. Yes.
b. No.
c. Dont know.
8. What is the most important thing you would like to learn during this presentation?
__________ (free-form text)
Link to survey: https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/kkgorman/250749

Bibliography

Becker, S., Crandall M., Fisher, K., Kinney, B., Landry, C., and Rocha, A. (2010). Opportunity
for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries. (IMLS2010-RES-01). Institute of Museum and Library Services. Washington, D.C.
Hooft, E. A. V., Born, M. P., Taris, T. W., Flier, H. V. D., & Blonk, R. W. (2004). Predictors of
job search behavior among employed and unemployed people. Personnel Psychology,
57(1), 25-59.
Hoye, G., & Saks, A. (2008). Job search as goal-directed behavior: Objectives and methods.
Journal of Vocational Behavior, 73(3), 358-367. Retrieved October 19, 2014, from
http://www.sciencedirect.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/science/article/pii/S000187910
8000638
Recession Drives More Americans to Libraries in Search of Employment Resources; but
Funding Lags Demand. (2010). Life Science Weekly, 3965-3965. Retrieved October 18,
2014, from
http://www.lexisnexis.com.offcampus.lib.washington.edu/hottopics/lnacademic/?
verb=sr&csi=303733
Stauffer, K. (2009, February 23). More job-seekers are turning to the library for help. Houston
Chronicle. Retrieved October 18, 2014, from http://www.chron.com/default/article/Morejob-seekers-are-turning-to-the-library-for-1746777.php
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2014, October 3). The Employment Situation September 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014, from
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

United States Census Bureau. (2104, July 14). Retrieved October 19, 2014, from
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/41000.html
Zickuhr, K., Rainie, L., Purcell, K., & Duggan, M. (2013, December 11). How Americans Value
Public Libraries in Their Communities. Retrieved October 18, 2014, from
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/12/11/libraries-in-communities/