At the Kirstein Library, patrons often ask if we have any test preparation material.  The answer is, “We sure do!”

Electronic Resource
Formerly known as LearnATest, the LearningExpress Library offers a nice selection of practice exams for the GED, College Prep, MTEL, Citizenship and more.

Jobs & Careers
For those needing to prepare for licensing or certification in their given field, you’ll find interactive practice exams for the Civil Service, Culinary Arts, Law Enforcement, Nursing, Plumbing, and Real Estate among others.

Job Search and Workplace Skills
Brush up on your Business Writing skills with one of their eCourses, or download an eBook on a topic such as Resume Writing, Social Networking for Career Success, or Public Speaking.

Circulating Test Prep/Study Collection
We also have many circulating test prep materials available for check out.  Speak with a Reference Librarian for further assistance or search our catalog for availability.

Sample Resources:  MTEL, Nursing Assistant, Civil Service, Armed Services (ASVAB)

We’re glad to hear the passengers aboard the Carnival Triumph are back on land.  Cruising is big business.  Did you know that the cruise line industry generated more than $40 billion in total economic activity to the US economy in 2011, creating 350,000 jobs, and that 20 million global passengers went on a cruise in 2011?  Check out market research, issues, and statistical reports  from the Cruise Lines International Association.

For additional information on the cruise industry, the BPL has a number of resources to help you learn even more:

• Deep Sea Passenger Transportion industry overview from Business Insights: Essentials
• Search by cruise company name for financials and competitor data using Mergent
• Search for industry trade publication news with General Business File ASAP (Gale Group)
• Print titles from our catalog
• eBooks
• e-Journal titles

Try running an Advanced Search when using this product.  Below is a sample result when searching on the Concept Term “Market Share” and the Industry “Beverage”:

For additional information on this product: http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/facts/table.pdf

Try using our Biography in Context electronic resource if you are looking for background information on your favorite business leader.  This resource covers biographies on over 525,000 individuals.  Biographical information is culled from various news, magazine, and reference resources.  For some profiles, you will also find additional links to  images, audio, and video content.

Some of the product’s sample profiles:

• Jeffrey Bezos
• Warren Buffet
• Marth Stewart
• Stephen Wynn

If you’d like to learn more about Biography in Context check out the following video tutorial:

Want to read back issues of the Boston Globe but their paywall is getting you down? 

BPL cardholders can search current and prior issues of the Boston Globe back to 1980 using our Proquest Electronic Resource.

Quick Tip:
To search just the Business, Metro, or  Opinion sections, enter one of the following in the Proquest search box:

• sec(business)
• sec(metro)
• sec(editorialopinion)

Additional Boston Globe Electronic Resources:

• Boston Globe (1872-1922) via Access Newspaper Archive
• Boston Globe (1872-1981) via Proquest (No Remote Access, In Library Use Only)

But we have to the tools to help you here at the Kirstein Business Library.  Business Insights: Essentials provides industry insights and statistics to help you with your questions.

Some key feature include:

• SWOT Reports
• Company histories
• Financial data
• Market share reports
• Industry information
• Relevant news articles
• Customizable charts and graphs
• and so much more!

You can use this tool remotely so you can stay home as the weather gets colder. Use your library card to log in and explore Business Insights: Essentials.

Click here to begin research or check out Apple and Samsung’s company profiles.

For more information about NFL demographics, statistics, reports, and articles, check out the Sports Business Research Network.

SBRnet is one-stop access to multiple resources on professional sports, college sports, social media, sporting goods, and so much more, including:

• Industry-developed Market Research
• Government Statistics
• Facility Reports and News
• International Market Publications
• Customized Research
• Directories

Learn more about NFL fans and more using SBRnet. Image courtesy of SBRnet

Come on down to your local branch to try it out!

Looking for a broker?  Make sure you check FINRA first.  FINRA, the  Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, has a tool to help you with your due diligence. It’s called BrokerCheck.  This database contains background information on about 1.3 million FINRA registered brokers and 17,400 FINRA registered brokerage firms.

• Use BrokerCheck to find out if your broker or investment adviser representative is licensed in your state to conduct business.
• Find out if they have been sanctioned by securities regulators for violations of investment-related regulations or statutes.
• Review credentials
• Check for customer disputes and disciplinary actions.

Biography Resource Center:

Try searching our Biography Resource Center.  Below is a sample search on “Mark Zuckerberg”.  In addition to his bio you will also see links to news, magazines, and video content.

Credo Reference:

Another resource worth checking out is Credo Reference. Below is a sample screen shot for a search on “James Dimon.” This resource will pull biographical information from sources such as, 1000 CEOs, Who’s Who, Chambers, The Encyclopedia of the History of American Management, and The Capstone Encyclopaedia of Business among others.

Mergent Online:

Finally, Mergent Online is a great resource for executive data.  Below, I have searched by company name, selected the “Executives” tab and viewed “Key Officers.”

Clicking on “James Dimon” will give biographical information and compensation history.

Forbes:

Speaking of rich executives, if you’d like to see a some rankings, check out the following from Forbes:

• The World’s Most Powerful People
• The World’s Billionaires List
• The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women
• The Richest People in America

Last week the Kirstein Business Library gave a series of trainings highlighting our new career resource, Career Transitions.

Career Transitions is a database designed to help you make the most of your job searching and career exploration efforts. If you are looking to change professions, Career Transitions can help you identify your career interests, match your current or previous work experience to new careers, browse career paths, and find detailed information about career requirements and duties. You can also search for schools and programs in your area.  Career Transitions also has resources to help you search (and organize your search) for  jobs and internships and tools to help you write a resume and cover letter. Once you have secured a job interview, return to Career Transitions for tips & advice and an interview simulation practice.

If you missed any of last week’s classes, please check out the videos and handouts below or take a quick tour of Career Transitions .  While using Career Transitions, you’ll find a What Can I Do Here? icon on every page.  Clicking these will bring up tips on how to use each feature.   Check Kirstein’s upcoming programs page, or the Boston Public Library’s calendar of technology trainings , for more Career Transitions programs in the upcoming months.

Career Transitions – Search Tips.pdf
Career Transitions – How to Create an Account.pdf
Career Transitions – How to Search for Local Jobs.pdf   video
Career Transitions – How to Create a Resume.pdf    video
Career Transitions -Interview Simulation Video