Where is the pilot bearing located in a 1997 VW Jetta 5 speed

I'm assuming this is a manual transmission as automatics are much more complicated.
The safety switch is usually mounted behind the clutch pedal inside the vehicle.
An actual clutch assembly on a manual transmission is mostly a standard layout regardless of the vehicle make or model. Basically - Flywheel, friction plate, pressure plate and thrust bearing.
Changing a clutch is a BIG job and isn't really a job you can do on your drive. Some engines need to be tilted off the engine mounts to get the clutch bell housing off to get access. You also need to make sure the new friction plate is lined up correctly to avoid damaging the new clutch assembly.
I would suggest you pay a good mechanic to do it for you as they'll have all the tools to do it more easily.

It is located on the transmission input shaft collar of the transmission inside the bell housing.

find a serviceable used transmission on eBay, craigslist, or a junkyard (recycler). your ****** is shot.

Front wheel bearing available at buyautoparts http://www.buyautoparts.com/part/replacement-wheel-bearing/ Fuses are located below the steering wheel.

Sounds like your clutch is not releasing completely.
Bleed the clutch hydraulics. There is no adjustment. If that does not solve it then:
1) Bad pressure plate (most likely a broken spring) 2) Bad pilot bearing.
The pilot bearing is often overlooked but can cause hard shifting. It is installed into the center of the flywheel or directly into the crankshaft. The very end of the transmission input shaft goes into it. If it drags it will keep the input spinning even with a perfectly released clutch.
If you have to pull the transmission to work on the clutch do not even think about not replacing the pilot bearing.

recommend a haynes manual for this job what u save is time & hardship for the cost!!!!!

The release bearing goes in the back of the transmission. You'll need to remove the round "VW" cap on the end of the transmission. I would need to see the pilot bushing to know for sure. It could be the starter bushing or the clutch pushrod bushing.

It's most likely your throw-out bearing. It's located very inconveniently on the front shaft of the transmission and the way to remove and replace is to pull the tranny from the car... While you're at it, inspect the clutch and pressure plates and the pilot bushing (located in the center of the flywheel).

I had the same problem.. About a year of that problem i lost 5th gear and i had to replace my transmission.

Yes you most likely have a bad throw out bearing. If you replace the bearing you would do yourself a favor and replace the clutch and pressure plate while you are there.