Organization of Libraries

Departments or Areas Reference Reference Circulation Circulation Electronic Resources Electronic Resources Periodicals Periodicals Stacks Stacks

Reference Reference Collection Reference Collection –Book and materials that do not leave the library »Books not designed to be read through »Multi-Volume Sets »Expensive –Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Almanacs, Atlases, Handbooks, Manuals, Indexes »Indexes are often in a special area

Reference Ready Reference Ready Reference –Almanac, Dictionary, Style Guides –Library Specific or Produced Materials »List of Periodicals, Guides to Databases, Special Lists, Classroom Assignments & Information

Circulation Library Cards Library Cards Check In & Check Out Books Check In & Check Out Books Fees & Fines Fees & Fines –Some libraries have a separate desk Other functions vary by library Other functions vary by library Staffed by paraprofessionals Staffed by paraprofessionals

Reserves Academic Libraries Academic Libraries –Books and other materials for classes –Available to short times (around two hours) –Cannot leave the library Public Libraries Public Libraries –Pre-requested book titles

Technology Usually near the reference desk or in its own area. Usually near the reference desk or in its own area. Access to catalogs, databases, Internet Access to catalogs, databases, Internet Access to word processing and other programs are usually in a separate computer lab Access to word processing and other programs are usually in a separate computer lab Photocopying Photocopying

Periodicals Paper, Microforms, Databases Paper, Microforms, Databases Larger libraries with space and staff have a dedicated area (usually run by paraprofessionals) Larger libraries with space and staff have a dedicated area (usually run by paraprofessionals) Small libraries mix with Reference or Circulation Small libraries mix with Reference or Circulation

Stacks Shelves of Books Shelves of Books –Open Stacks: Anyone Can Access –Closed Stacks: Only Library Staff »Rare Books (The Gutenberg Bible) The Gutenberg BibleThe Gutenberg Bible »Archived Books (Storage) –Stacks Organized by Call Numbers

Other Departments or Areas Media Media Library Instruction Library Instruction Government Information Government Information Special Collections Special Collections

Departments or Areas Media Media –Video/DVD’s –CD/Cassettes –Software Library Instruction Library Instruction Government Information Government Information Special Collections Special Collections

Library Instruction Also called Bibliographic Instruction (BI) Also called Bibliographic Instruction (BI) Instruction provided by librarians Instruction provided by librarians –Formal Classes –General Orientation –Subject-specific Instruction –Instructional Materials »Print & Electronic

Government Document Varies by size of library Varies by size of library –Small libraries have few to none –Large libraries can have a department Federal Depository Libraries (1300 Libraries) Federal Depository Libraries (1300 Libraries) Federal Depository Libraries Federal Depository Libraries –These are libraries designated to house federal materials such as reports from agencies or congressional reports. –Full (holds all federal material) –Partial (holds some materials)

Special Collections Books & other materials dedicated to specific subject(s) such as the history of the city, county or neighborhood Books & other materials dedicated to specific subject(s) such as the history of the city, county or neighborhood Usually reference materials Usually reference materials Usually has a separate room or area Usually has a separate room or area –May be run and/or financially supported by an outside organization

Other Areas Interlibrary Loans (ILL) Interlibrary Loans (ILL) –Acquiring books and materials from other libraries Media Center Media Center –Multimedia Materials »Video, audio, CD-ROM –Part of library or separate department Consortiums Consortiums –A group of libraries who share resources