NEWSMOVING ON

I'm in Chicago doing a book signing tomorrow at the American Library Association (ALA) Conference. My mom, Joan Ress Reeves, a public library advocate from Providence, RI is here, too. She's not a librarian but rather a lay advocate, lobbying to keep public libraries open and able to serve their communities. (Boy, did we laugh growing up when she got mail addressed to "Joan Reeves, Regional Lay" or "Joan Reeves, National Lay." Did my dad really know what this was all about?)

Libraries were always the bees knees, but in this economy, it really pays to remember your local library.

Libraries provide amazing resources to non-profits and job-hunters alike. Many non-profits obviously cannot afford to have private libraries the way many corporate firms do, and although so much information is available on line, your local library can be a great source for periodicals and books you may not be able to access. Good librarians are phenomenal guides to whatever you're looking for.

For job-hunters, you should know that many libraries have extensive career offerings. In addition to offering computer usage, many libraries have career centers, offer resume and cover letter advice, and often bring in experts to talk on a variety of career-related topics.

Libraries in New York State, for example, offers these services (not in every location, unfortunately):

• Specialized web resources developed by libraries and links to job search web resources
• Information on career development
• Education and training
• Résumé assistance and other job hunt strategies
• Workforce development services (Literacy instruction, GED assistance, citizenship information and referral)

In February, New York State did a poll and found that 80% of libraries in the state had helped someone job-hunt in the previous three months. Unfortunately, much funding for libraries is being cut.

"As the state faces its most difficult economic crisis in decades, public library usage has rapidly increased, particularly with people seeking help in finding employment," said Michael Borges, NYLA's Executive Director. "Libraries provide people not only with help in finding jobs, but also with accessing public assistance programs, with basic computer training, with résumé building and career development."

"When the neediest among us are looking for help, now is not the time to be cutting the very services and assistance New Yorkers rely on the most" Borges said. "When folks lose jobs or cut back on spending for fear of losing their jobs, people turn to libraries for free internet access and books, cds, videos and literacy programs for their families. Libraries have become part of society's safety net for the neediest in our communities."

Check out this short video from TODAY on ways libraries can serve you--and the challenges libraries are facing along with their patrons in this economy.

Why not plan a trip to your local library this weekend or this week? You may be surprised at what you'll find!

When people tell me they were laid off, I say, "congratulations! " You have been given an opportunity for reinvention. You might not feel great now but you don’t know that what’s coming isn’t better than what was going on for you before. And in this economy, being laid off is simply not a stigma; it’s more of a “join the club” scenario. If you were lucky, you were prepared: you had a portfolio of work you did ready to go and were able to get your things off the computer and your personal effects out of the office.  In any case, here are some things to think about:

1)     Go through at many of the first 5 of the 7 stages of grief as fast as you can: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression—and then you’ll be ready for solution seeking and acceptance.

2)     Make sure the lay off is legitimate and legal. Look into the legal situation and ask experts. Don’t sign anything until you’ve investigated the situation. Are you entitled to severance pay, outplacement counseling, other benefits?

3)     Figure out your timeline and finances. If you need temporary work, seek that out first to have a cushion but try to look at temp work in your industry if you can to maximize the possibility of new leads.

4)     Create and rehearse your interview narrative without bitterness. Don’t trash your previous employer, even “after what they did to you.” The lay-off is naturally top of your mind, but no need to advertise it unless you’re asked. You’re just another person looking for a job, a “normal” candidate in the mind of the employer.

5)     Re-vamp your resume and cover letter; line up your references.

6)     Take time to assess what you liked and didn’t like about last job and what you want to do next.

7)     Start talking to people and set up informational interviews

Remember: in terms of your skills and talents, the employer values your past experience—but in terms of any skeletons you’d rather keep in the closet, the  employer wants to hire your future, not your past!