Organization of LibrariesOrganization of Libraries

Departments or AreasDepartments or Areas

ReferenceReference CirculationCirculation Electronic ResourcesElectronic Resources PeriodicalsPeriodicals StacksStacks

ReferenceReference

Reference CollectionReference Collection– Book and materials that do not leave the libraryBook and materials that do not leave the library

» Books not designed to be read throughBooks not designed to be read through

» Multi-Volume SetsMulti-Volume Sets

» ExpensiveExpensive

– Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Almanacs, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Almanacs, Atlases, Handbooks, Manuals, IndexesAtlases, Handbooks, Manuals, Indexes

» Indexes are often in a special areaIndexes are often in a special area

ReferenceReference

Ready ReferenceReady Reference– Almanac, Dictionary, Style Guides Almanac, Dictionary, Style Guides – Library Specific or Produced MaterialsLibrary Specific or Produced Materials

» List of Periodicals, Guides to Databases, Special List of Periodicals, Guides to Databases, Special Lists, Classroom Assignments & InformationLists, Classroom Assignments & Information

CirculationCirculation

Library CardsLibrary Cards Check In & Check Out BooksCheck In & Check Out Books Fees & FinesFees & Fines

– Some libraries have a separate deskSome libraries have a separate desk Other functions vary by libraryOther functions vary by library Staffed by paraprofessionalsStaffed by paraprofessionals

ReservesReserves

Academic LibrariesAcademic Libraries– Books and other materials for classesBooks and other materials for classes– Available to short times (around two hours)Available to short times (around two hours)– Cannot leave the libraryCannot leave the library

Public LibrariesPublic Libraries– Pre-requested book titlesPre-requested book titles

TechnologyTechnology

Usually near the reference desk or in its Usually near the reference desk or in its own area.own area.

Access to catalogs, databases, InternetAccess to catalogs, databases, Internet Access to word processing and other Access to word processing and other

programs are usually in a separate computer programs are usually in a separate computer lablab

Photocopying Photocopying

PeriodicalsPeriodicals

Paper, Microforms, DatabasesPaper, Microforms, Databases Larger libraries with space and staff have a Larger libraries with space and staff have a

dedicated area (usually run by dedicated area (usually run by paraprofessionals)paraprofessionals)

Small libraries mix with Reference or Small libraries mix with Reference or CirculationCirculation

StacksStacks

Shelves of BooksShelves of Books– Open Stacks: Anyone Can AccessOpen Stacks: Anyone Can Access– Closed Stacks: Only Library StaffClosed Stacks: Only Library Staff

» Rare Books (Rare Books (The Gutenberg Bible))

» Archived Books (Storage)Archived Books (Storage)

– Stacks Organized by Call NumbersStacks Organized by Call Numbers

Other Departments or AreasOther Departments or Areas

MediaMedia Library InstructionLibrary Instruction Government InformationGovernment Information Special CollectionsSpecial Collections

Departments or AreasDepartments or Areas

MediaMedia– Video/DVDVideo/DVD’’ss– CD/CassettesCD/Cassettes– SoftwareSoftware

Library InstructionLibrary Instruction Government InformationGovernment Information Special CollectionsSpecial Collections

Library InstructionLibrary Instruction

Also called Bibliographic Instruction (BI)Also called Bibliographic Instruction (BI) Instruction provided by librariansInstruction provided by librarians

– Formal ClassesFormal Classes– General OrientationGeneral Orientation– Subject-specific InstructionSubject-specific Instruction– Instructional MaterialsInstructional Materials

» Print & ElectronicPrint & Electronic

Government DocumentGovernment Document

Varies by size of libraryVaries by size of library– Small libraries have few to noneSmall libraries have few to none– Large libraries can have a departmentLarge libraries can have a department

Federal Depository Libraries (1300 Libraries)– These are libraries designated to house federal These are libraries designated to house federal

materials such as reports from agencies or materials such as reports from agencies or congressional reports.congressional reports.

– Full (holds all federal material)Full (holds all federal material)– Partial (holds some materials)Partial (holds some materials)

Special CollectionsSpecial Collections

Books & other materials dedicated to Books & other materials dedicated to specific subject(s) such as the history of the specific subject(s) such as the history of the city, county or neighborhoodcity, county or neighborhood

Usually reference materialsUsually reference materials Usually has a separate room or areaUsually has a separate room or area

– May be run and/or financially supported by an May be run and/or financially supported by an outside organizationoutside organization

Other AreasOther Areas

Interlibrary Loans (ILL)Interlibrary Loans (ILL)– Acquiring books and materials from other Acquiring books and materials from other

librarieslibraries Media CenterMedia Center

– Multimedia MaterialsMultimedia Materials» Video, audio, CD-ROMVideo, audio, CD-ROM

– Part of library or separate departmentPart of library or separate department Consortiums Consortiums

– A group of libraries who share resourcesA group of libraries who share resources