More and more people are looking for jobs in this tough economy, but the job search is much different today than it was even five years ago. It’s bringing many job seekers to their local library.

When it came time for Lisa Putney to look for a new career, she went straight to the career information center at Brockport’s Seymour Library.

“Do I want to be a teacher 7 through 12 or do I want to be an English major and maybe teach at community college,” asks Putney.

These days the majority of job searching has moved to the internet. A recent study by the American Library Association shows job seekers are ditching the classified ads and going online.

“We definitely see an upswing in people coming to us,” says Seymour Library Director Cassie Guthrie.

Guthrie says her staff has helped many people who were recently laid off, some of whom came in with very little computer knowledge.

“It’s very staff intensive for us to work with people who’ve never used a computer before who are being asked to do some very high level things: set up an email account, write a resume, attach a file,” says Guthrie.

A lot of businesses don’t even accept paper applications anymore. For example, if you want to work at certain convenience stores, you have to go online to even be considered.

“We’ve also heard some jobs like truckers, you have to apply online for a job that you’re never going to use a computer at,” says Guthrie.

She says some people who are laid off can no longer afford the internet at home and are going to the library to file for unemployment.

“You know you can come here right in your own community and file for your benefits online so we help people with that as well,” says Guthrie. “It is very rewarding.”

Putney prefers books to computers, but realizes that online is where the future of job seeking lies. And if she needs help, she knows where to go.

“This is a good place because it has good books and good people and information and resources and help and answers for questions,” says Putney.