Job & Career

Getting Started Video

Live real-time homework assistance is available from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards. This service includes writing assistance, support for adult learners, and live chess tutoring. 

Every day between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm, assistance is available in core K-12 subjects in the following languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Mandarin
• Cantonese
• Vietnamese
• Tagalog

24/7 assistance is available for Language Arts and Mathematics (English and Spanish-speaking tutors).

This program is supported with funds provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Librarian.

Getting Started Video

Connect with a Live Job Coach to get assistance with searching, applying, and preparing for jobs. Brush up on your interview skills. Find templates to build an effective resume and submit your document to the resume lab and get suggestions on how to make improvements. 

New Enhancements to JobNow include Job Matching experts and Life Skills Coaches. After completing a questionnaire, the Job Matching experts will provide the job seeker with available positions matching their skills, interests, and preferences. Brainfuse Life Skills Coaches are live experts who assist people with essential skills, such as time management and budgeting.

Live help is available daily 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., excluding holidays. 

Getting Started Video

No library card required. 

FREE live online assistance for veterans and their families. 

VetNow supports your community's veterans and their families with navigating the VA
bureaucracy, providing academic tutoring, and employment transition assistance. Live
navigation support is available, and all navigators are veterans.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. 

This program for California residents has a very limited number of paid all-access seats available.

Register for a user account with Coursera on the California State Library’s page:
https://c4b-integration.com/csl

1. Have your email address and library card number ready to fill out the form.
2. Select Contra Costa County Library when asked.
3. You will receive an invitation email. Check your spam folder if it does not show up in your inbox.

Once you have created your Coursera account, sign in at coursera.org.

Note: For learners who previously accessed Coursera, you will need to re-register using the same email address associated with your Coursera account. If your previous work does not automatically repopulate, please re-enroll in your courses. 

Coursera’s mission is to help individuals build the skills they need for in-demand jobs. The resource
provides learners with access to more than 5,000 courses and certifications led by top businesses, universities, and organizations.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. 

Getting started video

Features online tutorials, practice tests, and eBooks to help students of all ages. Offers job search and workplace skills improvement, skill building in reading, writing, math, and basic science, career certification and licensure exam prep (including the California Basic Educational Skills Test [CBEST], California Subject Examinations for Teachers [CSET], California Real Estate Salesperson exam prep, ServSafe California Food Handler practice exams, and the California Police Officer Exam, college and grad school entrance test prep, GED test prep, and more. 

Go directly to one of the Centers within LearningExpress Library:

• Adult Core Skills
  Helps adults achieve their personal, education and career goals by offering resources to help them improve their basic skills in reading, writing, and math, and prepare for the U.S. citizenship exam.

• Career Preparation
  Are you preparing for a professional exam? Are you curious about a particular occupation or looking to improve your workplace skills? Choose the Career Preparation Center and begin your path to a bright future.

• College Admissions Test Preparation
  Getting into college is an important step to building a strong future. First, you must do well on your college admission tests and write a personal essay that highlights your special talents. Use this center to get the resources you need to achieve your college preparation goals.

• College Students
  Provides valuable resources that help college students strengthen their academic skills, prepare for placement tests, and get ready for graduate school entrance exams.

• Computer Skills
  Learn the basics of using a computer, navigating the internet, and using popular software programs from Microsoft and Adobe. Achieve basic to advanced skills in word processing, creating spreadsheets and databases, implementing design, and more.

• Grade 4-8 Educator Resources
  Elementary and middle school teachers: Supplement classroom instruction with curriculum-aligned materials in math, reading, writing, and social studies.

• High School Equivalency Center
  If you are preparing for the GED test, HiSET or TASC exams, the High School Equivalency Center's practice tests, interactive tutorials, and eBooks will help you reach your goal.

• High School Students 
  Find resources to help you build classroom and homework skills in math, English language arts, social studies, science, and technology.

• Job & Career Accelerator
  Explore detailed information on over 1,000 different occupations. Match your interests and skills with the career that's best for you. Search local and national job postings. Create professional resumes and cover letters. Practice and master interviewing skills. 

• Recursos Para Hispanohablantes
  Herramientas de aprendizaje, carrera, y ciudadanía en español. Este centro ofrece a los adultos que están muy ocupados los recursos para mejorar sus habilidades básicas, ganar sus credenciales de GED o ser ciudadano estadounidense.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. 

Getting Started Video

Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. New courses added each week. 

After creating an account, you can watch videos, create playlists, bookmark pages, and obtain certificates of completion. Please note the Library version of LinkedIn does not capture any personally identifiable information from patrons; therefore, they are unable to include names on certificates of completion.

For support:

• Enter card number and last name (instead of PIN)
• Visit LinkedIn Learning for Library Patron FAQ 
• Library ID for LinkedIn Learning app is contracostacountylibrary
  https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/contracostacountylibrary
• If you change your library card number you will lose any playlists you saved with your previous card.

This resource is supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library. 

Getting Started Video

Formerly known as Reference USA, Data Axle's Reference Solutions is the go-to resource for comprehensive data on both businesses and individuals, tailored to the needs of small business owners, marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and job seekers. It empowers users to create marketing plans, conduct competitive analysis, secure funding, and locate individuals.

This platform offers detailed profiles of over 50 million U.S. businesses, 150 million U.S. residents, 2 million job postings, internships, historical business data, and healthcare listings, making it an invaluable research tool for job seekers, businesses, and researchers.