Research career or college dream at the Modesto-Stanislaus library

Theresa Grieshaber wants people to take advantage of her knowledge.

Grieshaber is one of five full-time reference librarians at the Stanislaus County Library. She is tired of seeing the library's free online education databases and career guidebooks go practically unused.

"They just don't know what we have," said Grieshaber, who's worked at the library for 16 years.

Access to these online sites and books is free with a Stanislaus County library card. People don't have to be a resident of the county to get a library card -- they need a photo ID and verification of address. The Stanislaus County Library has 13 locations.

Grieshaber highlighted a few services that could help scores of community members choose the perfect career, find and be accepted to the right college, locate education scholarships, or track down teaching and research grants. A combination of online tools and people tailor help to the needs of the information seeker, which Internet searches alone can't do, Grieshaber said.

The branch in Modesto offers shelves of books with detailed information about the careers people can pursue. Grieshaber suggests people take personality tests to determine which careers are best for them.

"It's crucial that if you find a career, it match your personality," she said. "There are two important things in life -- finding your true love and your true calling -- and you'll be miserable without them."

The library also has resources that match interests with careers. High school students who want to major in history but don't want to teach are shown careers that someone with a history degree can pursue, such as journalism or politics, Grieshaber said.

Guidebooks offer tips to prepare people for their career, whether it's by taking Advanced Placement tests in high school or getting internship experience. The guides range from how to be a real estate appraiser to a cement mason to a mechanic.

Books also advise people on how to be successful in their jobs, such as "Careers for Introverts" or "How to be a Working Actor."

Once an area of interest is pinpointed, Grieshaber recommends texts that list colleges specializing in those programs. For example, if someone wants to become a masseuse, she can look at colleges that offer that certificate or degree.

A fun feature of the library's paperbacks is the College Prowler series, guides that grade college campuses on fraternities and sororities, parking, student activities and more, quoting actual students. They give prospective students and parents a better feel for what each campus is like.

Once someone has narrowed his or her career choices, Grieshaber points them to test preparation books and online help. The guides show people which tests they'll need for acceptance to colleges or vocational schools, and how to maximize their scores.

Grieshaber urges parents to use the library's books.

"The senior year (of high school) represents the death of childhood," she joked. "When it comes to helping kids get ready for college, the parents sometimes have to be direct and take the initiative."

In addition, the library houses books on how "empty nesters" can cope after children leave to pursue their college education or career.

"You go from being the family they're with to the family they're from," Grieshaber said.

The Foundation Center, a New York-based organization, is one of the largest networks for philanthropic agencies, providing an extensive searchable database for grants. Applicants for grants can be teachers, students, researchers or nonprofit groups searching for funding.

To access the Foundation Center database for free, people must be on library computers.

The library has a Foundation Center users guide and Grieshaber holds a public workshop each year. This year's probably will be in October, she said.

The site is especially useful for finding uncommon college scholarships, such as those for people wanting to study arts, Grieshaber said.

"It's difficult to find scholarships for arts. There's more of a focus on technology and the hard sciences," she said.

Though libraries are known for checking out books and holding reading hours, they offer much more, Grieshaber said.

"We want to open eyes and broaden horizons," she said. "In addition to handing out chicken recipes and murder mysteries, we also help guide people."

For more information on the

Stanislaus County Library, visit

www.stanislauslibrary.org or call 558-7800.

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.