If you’re a social welfare student, chances are you’ll be looking for jobs in the near future. Even if it’s your first semester, it’s never too early to see what resources can help you find a career in social work. In this post, we’ll talk about different avenues you can take when it comes to finding a job. The Dewey Library, professional associations, and other internet resources have information on different kinds of social work jobs, how to find a job, and actual job postings.

The following resources at the Dewey Library will help you find a career in social work:

101 Careers in Social Work. Jessica A. Ritter, Halaevalu F.O. Vakalahi, & Mary Kiernan-Stern. New York: Springer Pub. Co., c2009.
Dewey Library Reference HV 10.5 R58 2009

Many paths, one purpose: Career paths for social work and human services majors. Edited by Tuyen D. Nguyen. Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, c2006.
Dewey Library HV 10.5 M36X 2006

Social work career development: A handbook for job hunting and career planning. Carol Nesslein Doelling. Washington, DC: NASW Press, [2004?]
Dewey Library HV 10.5 D63 2004

Careers in social work. Leon H. Ginsberg. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, c1998.
Dewey Library HV 10.5 G55 1998

To prepare for the licensing exam, you may want to use a study guide. The Dewey Library has three copies on reserve of Study Guide: A Guide for Candidates Preparing for the ASWB Social Work Examination. Ask for this at the circulation desk!

You may also want to check out the Career and Education Resources section of Getting Started in Social Welfare Research. From here, you can find more information on licensing and accreditation, job resources, and professional associations. You may also want to check out the section on professional development. Professional development and continuing education are vital aspects of being a social worker. This site connects you with valuable resources.

Professional associations are a great way to get your foot in the door and learn about job opportunities. The Clinical Social Work Association (CSWA) is a national social work organization. The Job Board section provides resources for both job seekers and employers.

The National Association of Social Workers is another professional association you will want to be familiar with. NASW is the largest member social work organization in the world. Here, you can learn about recent publications in the field, access information on professional development, and advocate for meaningful causes. Their Social Work Career Center lists current job openings. If you want to stay local, you will want to check out NASW’s New York State Chapter.

If you have any questions on social work careers, please contact our social welfare bibliographer, Elaine Lasda Bergman by email at elasdabergman@albany.edu or phone at 442-3695.

Blog post created by Katherine Farrell

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:44 AM | Permalink

We have one final workshop this semester: Social Welfare Research Seminar. This session will introduce you to using databases, the libraries' webpage, and other online resources in social welfare.

This week's schedule is as follows:

Monday, 5/14:
1:00 pm: Social Welfare Research Seminar

You can sign up for a class by visiting the Reference Desk, calling us at 442-3691, or visiting our registration page.

Blog post by Cary Gouldin

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The end of the semester crunch is here! That means long hours in front of the computer and pouring over books and class notes. Many graduate students, particularly those with families, find that there are too many distractions at home to give their finals the focus they require. Others find that they can only spend so many hours cooped up at home and need a change of scenery. Where can you go?

The Quiet Study area in the basement of Dewey, of course! Equipped with computers, printers, a copier, study carrels, tables and comfortable reading chairs, this space will satisfy all your study needs. The many computers feature all Information Commons software, like Photoshop, EndNote, Access and SAS. The space is also on the University’s wireless network, so you can bring your own laptop.

Have a group project to work on or want to study with a friend? We’ve got the space for that too! Also located in the basement, our Group Study area features large tables, Information Commons computers and some comfy chairs. To get there walk through the Quiet Study area, up the stairs on the left-hand side, and through the door at the top of the stairs.

Good luck on your finals!

If you have any questions or need research help, stop by the Reference Desk.

Blog post created by Cary Gouldin

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ALA has just released “The 2012 State of America’s Libraries.” This report focuses on the many issues libraries faced in 2011. Like many, libraries have been greatly affected by the recession. The Library of Congress lost 9% of its budget and 10% of its workforce. Academic librarians are faced with increasing enrollment with reduced staff. Libraries everywhere are tightening their budgets and making due with less.

However, not all of the news was grim. The public library in Troy, Michigan was saved from closing after voters approved a five-year operating millage. Circulation is rising among public libraries in many major U.S. cities, and there is an increase in demand for e-books in libraries. “Guerilla libraries” appeared in camps of the Occupy movement. In Zuccotti Park, the location for the Occupy Wall Street movement, the People’s Library was created. When the park was cleared on November 15th, the People’s Library had 5,500 volumes.

Libraries also continue to shed light on issues such as censorship, copyright, and piracy issues. Banned Books Week stresses the importance of the First Amendment and the dangers of censorship. Libraries are also connecting to customers through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Social media has helped libraries widen their reach within the communities they serve.

What do you think 2012 will bring? What can libraries do to improve their services when facing stagnant budgets and reduced staff?

Blog post created by Katie Farrell

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is your last opportunity of the semester to take out Evidence Based Practice Seminar. This hour-long session will focus on how to find and evaluate research information for clinical social work practice. To take this workshop, you must have already completed our Social Welfare Research Seminar.

This week’s class schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, 5/9:
3:30 pm: Evidence Based Practice

You can sign-up for this class on our website, call 442-3691, or stop by the Dewey Reference Desk.

Blog post created by Cary Gouldin
 

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Photo Credit: Morris Stilson

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Dewey Library regularly acquires new reference materials. These new and interesting titles can be found on the first level of the library:

American gangsters, then and now: an encyclopedia. Nate Hendley. Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, c2010.
Dewey Library Reference HV 6446 H39 2010
This encyclopedia includes stories of famous American gangsters and gangs such as Jesse James, Al Capone, Crips and Bloods, and Hell’s Angels. This comprehensive resource looks at the history of gangsters and gangs in America and has information on famous robberies, killings, and much more.

The librarian's book of quotes. Tatyana Eckstrand. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009.
Dewey Library Reference PN 6084 L52 E25 2009
This is a collection of quotes about libraries and the library profession. Quotes that emphasize the importance and value of libraries are compiled by authors such as Shakespeare and Ray Bradbury. Citations to the original source are provided as well as biographical information on quoted individuals.

Shocked and awed: a dictionary of the War on Terror. Fred Halliday. Berkeley: University of California Press, c2010.
Dewey Library Reference JZ 1253.5 H355 2010
This unconventional dictionary defines words and phrases used about 9/11 and issues that have followed it. Religious, political, and military words are defined. Quotes, Middle Eastern vocabulary, and stereotypes are also explored.

An encyclopedia of human rights in the United States. H. Victor Condé. Amenia, NY: Grey House Pub., c2011.
Dewey Library Reference KF 4747.5 C37 2011
With important legal cases and information on UN involvement, this encyclopedia examines all aspects of human rights. International and non-governmental organizations’ roles regarding human rights are also explored.

Getting and finding social workers jobs: the ultimate guide for job seekers and recruiters. Brad Andrews. [Qld., Australia : Emereo Pty Ltd., 2009?].
Dewey Library Reference HV 10.5 A547X 2009
This guide provides information on opportunities in the social work field and how to get hired. Get advice on resumes and cover letters as well as tips on the interview process.

If you have any questions about our new reference titles at the Dewey Library, stop by the reference desk or call us at 442-3691!

Posted by Elaine Lasda Bergman at 11:05 AM | Permalink