Layoff Guide: Your Library is Awesome
Job hunting, skill training, and lots of support
I loved going to the library as a kid. I always left with a pile of books to read. But I’ve barely visited a library or used one’s resources in over a decade. That’s why I was surprised to see all of the help and information available when I first looked for help on how to start my business.
The library has EVERYTHING. Librarians are experts at information management. They know how to access vast amounts of resources and can point you in the right direction, no matter what you’re asking for.
In January 2021, The American Library Association Council declared that access to affordable high capacity broadband is a human right. If you can’t afford high speed internet or live in a rural area, your local library will give you internet access for free.
Libraries also offer career centers, personal finance advice, online classes, book clubs, interviews with authors, and subscriptions to most major newspapers and journals. They also help people access and learn how to use technology. They are a perfect resource for people who have recently lost their jobs due to layoffs.
Here are some of the many ways that your library can help you prepare for interviews, learn new skills, and get connected to job opportunities.
Helping people get back to work
Libraries jumped into action in the early days of the pandemic. People in their communities were suddenly without a job and had no idea when things would go back to normal. Libraries began creating or improving online job hunting content including videos, webinars, and courses.
They also made one-on-one career specialists available online or over the phone. Filing for unemployment can be confusing. Even updating a resume can be overwhelming for someone who worked at one employer for decades. Ebony Hogan, a Career Services Supervisor at the Cuyahoga County Public Library explained how libraries filled in a serious gap.
“People just want to know that they can talk to someone to guide them. Some of these individuals who are unemployed have been employed their whole lives, so this is something totally new. You’ve got to deal with the grief of it all, and then you’ve got to figure out how to get re-motivated so that you can get employed.”
Ebony Hogan, Career Services Supervisor, Cuyahoga County Public Library, greater Cleveland area
The U.S. The Department of Labor went straight to libraries to help too. The New York State Department of Labor partnered with Coursera to give New Yorkers access to 4,000 courses that can help them build skills that will get them a job. Coursera provides professional certifications through their platform. For consumers, Coursera charges for these certificates, but for libraries you have free access .
How much money will you save on upskilling?
Libraries have agreements with for-profit career development providers that give library members free access to content. They also give access to other tutoring, coursework, or content collections that work solely with libraries. These include Brainfuse, LearningExpress, and GetSetUp.
Here’s what a few of these companies charge for their services:
Coursera: $59/month or $399/year
LinkedIn Learning: $43.99/month or $29.69/month if you commit to 1 year
Skillshare: $32/month or $168/year
You can also take courses to prepare you for exams in computer programming, air traffic control, law enforcement, nursing, and more. Learning a new trade shouldn’t put you into serious debt when you’re unemployed.
The many, many ways that your library can help you
Here are the services that I found through my local San Francisco Public Library Careers Center, the American Library Association, and the California State Library. Your city and state libraries may not offer these exact services–in fact, they might offer even better ones. Libraries try to meet the needs of their communities so you’ll see some differences depending on where you live.
Access to technology and study space
High speed internet and loaner computers
A quiet place to complete coursework, work on your resume, and prepare for interviews
100s of career books to help you find and prepare for a job that’s right for you
More than 1 in 5 libraries even have classes or informal help for robotics and 3D printing
Resumes, job searches, interview prep, and more
Help with writing cover letters and resumes
Help with mock job interview and learning to network
Help researching employers
Help finding government employment
Live job coaching with access to coaches every day
Tons of live online tutorials and workshops:
Tutorial: How to Apply For a California State Job
Tutorial: Meet One-on-One with a Smart Money Coach
Presentation: LinkedIn Profile Tips for Job Search
Workshop: Resume Writing and Cover Letter
Presentation: Avoiding Scams, Fraud and Identity Theft
Presentation: Interviewing Essentials
Presentation: Know Your Rights: Disability Discrimination and Your Job
Access to AARP job boards for seniors
National Employment Law Project (NELP) - current laws and protections for workers
Occupational Outlook Handbook - resource that shows growing jobs and fields, plus their average salaries
Resume.com - helps job seekers write resumes with templates, design help, and best practices
California Employment Development Departments job fairs and workshops
Learning new skills that will help you get a better job
Access to free classes available on Youtube
GetSetUp - a social learning platform for individuals 50+
VetNow - helping veterans with career services all in one platform
LinkedIn Learning - focused on high demand skills
Skillshare - 35,000 video courses to help people build and grow their business
Coursera classes with options for certifications:
Business writing
Introduction to mechanical engineering design and manufacturing machine learning
Marketing in a digital world
Successful negotiation: essential strategies and skills
Python for everybody
Cybersecurity
Google IT support professional certificate
Facebook social media marketing
Programming foundations with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
Introduction to HTML5
Introduction to Mailchimp to build an e-mail marketing campaign
Introduction to iOS app development
And more
Degrees and professional certifications
Career Online High School - helps adults earn their high school diploma and a career certificate at the same time
LearningExpress - helps people obtain occupational certifications, prepare for college, and even come a U.S. citizen
Exam preparation for the California Police Officer Exam and the California Real Estate Salesperson Exam
Exam preparation courses for plumbing, air traffic control, Nursing, teaching, firefighting, and more
This is pretty cool - The Nevada State Library is working with the College of Southern Nevada to offer the first ever dialysis technician training that uses virtual reality and 3D!
You don’t have to do this on your own
Wow! That’s a lot and I know there are so many other resources that I didn’t include in this list. If you’re feeling lost after being laid off, visit your library and ask the librarian for advice on how to get started, where to access career development and education programs, and how you can get help with your resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills.
Check out the rest of the Layoff Guide:
How to Take Care of Yourself, Your Finances, and Your Health
Understanding Severance Agreements
Can I Earn Money While Receiving Unemployment Benefits
Great information here! Thanks! I just wrote down NELP for a post I'm writing.
Great article.