scholarly journals Utilizing Technology to Support and Extend Access to Students and Job Seekers during the Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Berra
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Local School District ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
School Program ◽  
Online High School ◽  
The Unemployed ◽  
Virtual Services

The ongoing pandemic has necessitated a re-imagining of library services. The needs of our community changed and we set out to find ways to provide assistance to those who could benefit the most including students and the unemployed. The Pflugerville Public Library offered virtual learning support and job search assistance by providing electronic resources, virtual services and expanding access to technology. New resources include a platform offering virtual tutoring for students, virtual services like job search coaching, and scholarships for an online high school program for adults. Expanding access includes a partnership with the local school district to better connect students with our resources and providing expanded Wi-Fi availability and other tools like laptops. The combination of utilizing technology to address the current needs and expanding access to this technology has allowed us to better serve the community. Many of these changes will last beyond the pandemic.

Job-Search Behavior of the Unemployed: A Dynamic Perspective

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoli Song ◽  
Shu Hua Sun ◽  
Xian Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Issue ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Search Behavior ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Research Designs ◽  
Job Search Behavior ◽  
Dynamic Perspective ◽  
The Unemployed ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Unemployment is a major social issue in modern societies. Unemployed workers obtain reemployment mainly through their job-search activities. This chapter documents the literature on the uniqueness, antecedents, and outcomes of job-search behaviors of the unemployed. Because job-search behavior has recently been examined as a dynamic process, we summarize theoretical models, research designs, and analytical approaches in studying job-search dynamics, particularly with regard to unemployed job seekers. We further suggest conceptualizing and empirically examining job-search as behavioral episodes to enhance our understanding of job-search dynamics.

scholarly journals Job search duration and wage expectations of the unemployed

POPULATION ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-181
Author(s):  
Olga A. Kolennikova
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Wage ◽  
Job Search ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Unskilled Labor ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Employment Service ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
State Employment ◽  
The Unemployed

Unemployed people have different job opportunities. The article examines how job seekers form their wage expectations. The information base of the article was the data of a questionnaire survey of job seekers who applied for assistance to the Moscow State Employment Service, carried out in 2017. Two types of work remuneration settings of the unemployed were studied: first, the minimum wage offered by the employment service that they are ready to accept, and second, a decent wage. The wage expectations of the unemployed were studied in two ways. Firstly, the trajectory change over the duration of job search was examined. Secondly, the shifts were assessed with the account of the reproductive function of wage. It was found out that 2/3 of the respondents focused on the wages within the range from 1.5 to 3 of the official minimum wage, and as the search was dragging on, their expectations were concentrated in this range. The number of people looking for a well-paid job for more than a year decreased by 3 times in comparison with those who have just started job seeking. The contingent of the unemployed who agreed to low-paying jobs was characterized by a high mobility and changing qualitative composition. The factors affecting the changes in attitudes to wage were assessed. Low social benefits forced job-seekers to agree to unskilled labor or nonoccupational work, which led to depreciation of the wage expectations. Growing awareness of the situation on the labor market, controlled by the state employment service, also contributed to their correction. The unemployed, developing optimal job search strategies in the face of a shortage of vacancies with decent wages and rejections from employers, adjusted their expectations towards lower claims.

scholarly journals How Local Are Labor Markets? Evidence from a Spatial Job Search Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (10) ◽  
pp. 2877-2907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Manning ◽  
Barbara Petrongolo
Keyword(s):  
Labor Markets ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Search Model ◽  
Local Labor Markets ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Optimal Search ◽  
Ripple Effects ◽  
Local Stimulus ◽  
Strong Competition ◽  
The Unemployed

This paper models the optimal search strategies of the unemployed across space to characterize local labor markets. Our methodology allows for linkages between numerous areas, while preserving tractability. We estimate that labor markets are quite local, as the attractiveness of jobs to applicants sharply decays with distance. Also, workers are discouraged from searching in areas with strong competition from other job-seekers. However, as labor markets overlap, a local stimulus or transport improvements have modest effects on local outcomes, because ripple effects in job applications dilute their impact across a series of overlapping markets. (JEL J61, J64, R23, R58)

scholarly journals Job Seekers’ Self-Directed Learning Activities Explained Through the Lens of Regulatory Focus

2021 ◽  
pp. 089484532199164
Author(s):  
Adam M. Kanar ◽  
Dave Bouckenooghe
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Regulatory Focus ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Directed Learning ◽  
Job Searching

This study aimed to understand the role of regulatory focus for influencing self-directed learning activities during a job search. The authors surveyed 185 job-searching university students at two time points to explore the conditions under which regulatory focus (promotion and prevention foci) impacts self-directed learning activities and the number of employment interviews secured. Both promotion and prevention foci showed significant relationships with self-directed learning activities and number of interviews, and positive and negative affect partially mediated these relationships. The relationships between both regulatory focus strategies and self-directed learning were also contingent on self-efficacy. More specifically, prevention focus and self-directed learning showed a positive relationship for job seekers with high levels of self-efficacy but a negative one for job seekers with low levels of self-efficacy. This research extends the understanding of the role of regulatory focus in the context of self-directed learning during a job search. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Race and Networks in the Job Search Process

2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 983-1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Pedulla ◽  
Devah Pager
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Labor Market ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Search Process ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Job Offers

Racial disparities persist throughout the employment process, with African Americans experiencing significant barriers compared to whites. This article advances the understanding of racial labor market stratification by bringing new theoretical insights and original data to bear on the ways social networks shape racial disparities in employment opportunities. We develop and articulate two pathways through which networks may perpetuate racial inequality in the labor market: network access and network returns. In the first case, African American job seekers may receive fewer job leads through their social networks than white job seekers, limiting their access to employment opportunities. In the second case, black and white job seekers may utilize their social networks at similar rates, but their networks may differ in effectiveness. Our data, with detailed information about both job applications and job offers, provide the unique ability to adjudicate between these processes. We find evidence that black and white job seekers utilize their networks at similar rates, but network-based methods are less likely to lead to job offers for African Americans. We then theoretically develop and empirically test two mechanisms that may explain these differential returns: network placement and network mobilization. We conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for scholarship on racial stratification and social networks in the job search process.

Keepers of Men Need Keepers of Books

1972 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-283
Author(s):  
Lesta Norris Burt
Keyword(s):  
Public Library ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Correctional Institution ◽  
State Prison ◽  
Minimum Standards ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Reference Service

Libraries do not receive much stress in correction textbooks, and librarians are not ordinarily scheduled as speakers at correctional conferences or published in correctional journals. For these reasons and because good library services are not generally available in state prison libraries across the nation, administrators may not be aware of the advantages a good library and librarian can offer. A survey of the fifty state institutional library consultants concerning adult correctional institution libraries resulted in forty-two replies representing 223 major libraries and 202 camp libraries. As of the winter of 1970, librarians holding masters' degrees or bachelors' degrees plus school certification served full- or part-time in fifty-eight libraries in twenty-nine states. There were 955,154 volumes in the libraries in the reporting states; however, many of the books were described as old, outdated, or unsuitable. To meet minimum standards, there should have been 1,422,580 books of quality. The lack of qualified librarians together with inadequate budgets has resulted in uncatalogued, unclassified collections, insufficient discarding, poor staff libraries, a shortage of related staff services, and a lack of reference service, reading guidance, book discussions, writers' groups, and other library-sponsored activities. Information was also gathered on public library assistance to institutions, bookmobiles, inmate access to shelves, and separate rooms for reading, listening, and viewing.

Job-Search Activities, Job-Seeking Barriers, and Work Experiences of Transition-Age Youths With Visual Impairments

2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110591
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Anne Steverson
Keyword(s):  
Job Search ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Work Experiences ◽  
Job Seekers ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Work Activity ◽  
Transition Age ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Job Seeking

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the job-seeking and work experiences of transition-age youths with visual impairments. Methods: We analyzed follow-up data from a quasi-experimental study of a job-search intervention conducted from 2016 to 2019. Participants were 88 youths with visual impairments from three states; approximately half received the job-search intervention, and the other half served as a comparison group. Measures included job-search activities and outcomes, job-seeking barriers, volunteer and work experiences, and parental support for job-seeking. Results: Commonly reported job-search activities were preparing or revising resumes, talking to people about jobs, submitting applications, and submitting resumes, but most participants performed these activities infrequently. Many job-seekers encountered barriers during their job search, and few searches resulted in paid employment. Participants generally reported moderate levels of preparation to handle job-seeking barriers and parental support for job-seeking. Intervention and comparison participants had similar results on most measures, with few exceptions. Discussion: When youths actively search for a job but do not find one, their motivation to continue job-seeking may be reduced, particularly if their preparedness to overcome job-seeking barriers is low. Although many participants had some engagement in volunteer or work activities, short-term work experiences were the most common—and perhaps most misunderstood—work activity. Implications for practitioners: Youths with visual impairments may benefit from feedback on their job-seeking approach, application materials, and interview skills so they can make changes and determine how to focus or refocus their efforts. In addition to offering feedback, service providers can provide ongoing support to youth job-seekers and encourage them to persist in their job search. Explicit discussions about different types of work activities may help transition-age youths understand how short-term work experiences differ from paid jobs.

Library services enriching community engagement for dementia care: The Tales & Travels Program at a Canadian Public Library as a case study

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110651
Author(s):  
Jiamin Dai ◽  
Joan C. Bartlett ◽  
Karyn Moffatt
Keyword(s):  
Public Libraries ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Based ◽  
People With Dementia

Growing dementia-friendly library services are contributing to community-based dementia care. Emerging community programs in libraries and museums provide notable opportunities for promoting engagement and inclusivity, but these programs have yet to receive in-depth assessments and analyses to guide future research and practice. This paper presents a case study examining a social and storytelling program for people with dementia run by a Canadian public library. It investigates two research questions: How can public library programs contribute to community-based dementia care? And what are public libraries’ strengths and challenges in running programs for people with dementia? The study involves participant observations of the program and semi-structured interviews with people with dementia, caregivers, and program facilitators (librarians and Alzheimer Society coordinators). Through thematic analysis of fieldnotes and transcripts, the study reveals how this inclusive platform supports engagement, fosters relationships, helps caregivers, and reaches broader communities. This research further uncovers the librarians’ diversified roles as demonstrated through their collaboration with professionals, preparation and research, and facilitation of the sessions. This paper advances librarianship research on enriching community-based dementia care, including furthering inclusivity and engagement and extending accessible library services. By analyzing library programming for the dementia community and assessing its strengths and challenges, the paper highlights librarians’ awareness of the community’s evolving needs and their collaboration with other professionals. It offers practical insights on useful resources and emerging best practices that will hopefully inspire other initiatives in which information professionals can help improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.

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