The Idaho Department of Labor (IDL) and public libraries throughout the state are collaborating to assist workers in identifying their future career paths.

In September the Coeur d’Alene Public Library received a year’s subscription to the department’s Career Information System (CIS) at no cost. The Idaho CIS is a comprehensive computerized system for career development that helps people explore career opportunities, identify schools or sources of education and training for specific jobs and then make successful decisions about future careers or education.

To access CIS through the library’s website visit the library at 702 E. Front Ave. or call 208/769-2315 for the site’s user ID and password.

The CIS is the only source of Idaho-specific information on jobs and training. It is widely used in all 25 IDL local offices statewide.

“The collaborative effort with the Idaho Commission for Libraries and the public libraries around the state will expand access to this resource even further,” CIS Administrator Christie Stoll said.

The labor department, which has been able to provide the service because of resources received through the federal economic stimulus package, trained library staff in September on the use of both the CIS and the department’s primary Internet work-force development site – IdahoWorks.

IdahoWorks, which is already available free through any computer terminal, including those at all libraries, is the department’s online service for both employers and workers. Job seekers can create and update résumés and profiles, find jobs, check eligibility for unemployment benefits, file benefit claims and review benefit payment. Employers can list jobs, manage those listings, review candidates and screen applicant résumés.

“I’m sure that in some communities this collaboration will result in the development of ongoing work-force services or resources that go beyond access to these valuable electronic services,” State Librarian Ann Joslin said.

“In addition to offering CIS and IdahoWorks, the Coeur d’Alene Library offers reference materials such as the ‘Occupational Handbook’ and the ‘Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance,’” said Library Director Bette Ammon. “For those patrons who need to improve their computer skills the library has free workshops on a variety of subjects each month.”

The schedule of computer workshops can be accessed from the library’s website, www.cdalibrary.org.

More information on the Career Information System is available at http://www.cis.idaho.gov/. IdahoWorks is available at http://labor.idaho.gov/iw.

News about the library and other city departments is also available on the City of Coeur d’Alene news blog: http://cdacity.blogspot.com/.