By Pam Everhardt Bloom
Rowan Public Library
SALISBURY ó Need a job? Finding a job can quickly become a full-time job in itself.
Whether embarking on an unforeseen job search or planning for a positive career change, maneuvering todayís online job search and applications can be somewhat overwhelming. Your public library can provide unexpected and valuable online job information without ever having to leave your home.
To start this process at home, you do need Internet access. If thatís not available, free Internet and computer time is available at the library. You may either log on with your library card or request a guest pass if without a card. Laptops are also available for checkout within the library to patrons with proper identification and no outstanding fees or fines.
Whether at home or at the library, once on the Internet, access the home page for the Rowan County Library, www.lib.co.rowan.nc.us/ . Next, look at the left hand side of the page and click ěOnline Tools.î When Online Tools opens, click on ěJobsî and a wealth of job hunting information is available at no cost.
Since many of todayís jobs require an online application, a valid email address is required. If you donít have an email account or need to set up an email account with your professional name, this page will immediately direct you to free email sites.
Once youíve taken care of basics, youíll find extensive information about application procedures. Read all the tips for success when filling out your applications and find a fact sheet to print and complete with pertinent information to carry with you on your job search.
Not quite sure how to write a resume or cover letter? Continue down the list. If looking for a specific agency to help you, the JobLink Career Center, the Employment Security Commission and other locations, addresses and numbers are a click away.
Should you be nervous about interviewing, learn about everything from the top 35 questions to be prepared to answer, to how to dress, to what questions to ask your interviewer. Also find information about programs such as Goodwillís Career Connections for no-cost, personalized career counseling with one-on-one interview coaching.
With all the preliminaries covered, itís time to look for openings. Youíll find a list of local job listings linked to this site. In addition, youíre also able to search for jobs throughout North Carolina and the nation. Should you need to consider a total career change, other sites such as O*NET and Occupational Outlook Handbook provide information to help you choose a career that matches your interests.
In todayís economy, more and more people who never imagined having to re-enter the job market are out there looking. The better you prepare, the better your chances to find the right job match. Helpful information is just a click away using Rowan Public Libraryís home page. Good luck!
Computer classes: None are scheduled for July.
Closing: Monday, all RPL locations closed for Independence Day. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, July 5.
Summer Family Movie Night at Headquarters ó July 12, 6:30 p.m., ěHow to Train Your Dragonî; July 26, 6:30 p.m., ěRamona and Beezus.î Part of the centennial celebration. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13 ó some movies are inappropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Book Bites Club ó July 26, 6:30 p.m., ěThe Princess Brideî by William Goldman. Book discussion groups for both adults and children are held at South Rowan Regional Library the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information please call 704-216-8229.
Childrenís Program ó This summer the Rowan Public Library invites kids to join the library for a summer of exciting programs and great reads with One World, Many Stories.
Weekly programs run until July 28. New for this year, limited family programs at Cleveland Town Hall. Prizes are awarded for every five, 10, 15 and 20 hours read, and door prizes are given at the school-aged programs.
2-year-olds: 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, East Branch; Wednesdays, South Library; Thursdays, Headquarters (four-week program).
3- to 5-year-olds: 10:30 a.m. Mondays, South Library; Wednesdays, Headquarters; Thursdays, East Branch (seven-week program).
Rising first through fifth graders: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., South Library; Wednesdays, 2 p.m., Headquarters; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m., East Branch; Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., Cleveland Town Hall, select programs only; (seven-week program).
July 5-6, July 28 (Cleveland included): Mo and Ro, Stories, Songs and Silliness.
July 11-14 (Cleveland included): Criss Cross Mangosauce, Bilingual Extravaganza.
July 18-20: Action Animals, Exotic Furry Friends.
July 25-27: Grey Seal Puppets, Tangle of Tales.
Calling all teens: Travel the globe with ěYou Are Hereî ó There are many ways for teens to see the world this summer at the library. Running through July 28, all rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders are invited to participate in events at the library. Teens can earn library dollars to be used at the end of the summer to bid on prizes provided by the Friends of Rowan Public Library.
Programs are:
Antarctica Explorations: Learn about life on Antarctica. Headquarters, Salisbury, Tuesday, 3:30-5 p.m.; East Branch, Rockwell, Wednesday, 3:30-5 p.m.; South Rowan Regional, China Grove, Thursday, 3:30-5 p.m.
Africa Jeopardy: Explore the countries of Africa and test your knowledge. Headquarters, July 12, 3:30-5 p.m.; East Branch, July 13, 3:30-5 p.m.; South Rowan Regional, July 14, 3:30-5 p.m.
European Scavenger Hunt: interactive scavenger hunt at the library. Headquarters, July 19, 3:30-5 p.m.; East Branch, July 20, 3:30-5 p.m.; South Rowan Regional, July 21, 3:30-5 p.m.
A North American Cookout and Prize Action end-of-summer celebration will be held July 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove.
For more information please check the library website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location ó Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South Rowan Regional, 704-216-7728; East Branch, 704-216-7842.
Displays: Headquarters óphotography and pottery by Emily Walls; South ó elephant collection by Tara Corder; East ó clowns by Elizabeth Ellenburg.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.