One of the best tactics to ensure your success in the workplace is to learn as much as you can not only about your particular career, but how to succeed in the workplace in general. There are literally thousands of books written on a wide range of career and career training topics. Spending time reading every day will be the first step toward embarking on career improvement.

Let’s face it. Books are expensive. Deciding which books to purchase to build your career library is an important decision. Care should be taken to purchase those books which will provide not only the most benefit, but will also contain sections which would benefit from re-visiting. So how do you go about building your library?

Start your search online. Check out your local library’s website. Many offer newsletters about newly released books. Some newsletters contain a career section which lists books regarding career development, leadership and other important career related publications. Start a list of books you feel are worth checking out.

Spend a few hours at the library. Talk to the information desk librarian. She will point you to all of the sections which would be beneficial to you. Be sure not to limit yourself to books on careers. Also be sure to check out self help and business related books. It’s not necessary to check them all out at once. Become familiar with your library’s online functions. Some systems will allow you to build a personal reading list once you have logged on to your account.

As you read through the books on your list, determine which ones would be add value to your library. These are the books that will grace your career book library. As stated earlier, books can be expensive. There are ways to purchase books well below cost.

Take a look at websites that sell used books. For example, Amazon.com has books on careers for as cheap at one cent. You just pay for shipping. Borders also has a used book marketplace. If paying for shipping is not your style, check out local used book stores. They also carry a wide variety of career, self help and business related books.

With summer coming up, garage sales will be in abundance. Most people sell their used books anywhere from .25 cents to a dollar. Take a moment to check through the book to make sure it is in good condition. Many books contain self assessments and surveys you want to be able to take advantage of.

Building your library is not just about putting pretty books on the shelves. Your career library should contain books that will help you to not only further your career, but to help you develop as a person as well.