A description of areas and departments of libraries.

1. Organization of LibrariesOrganization of Libraries

2. Departments or AreasDepartments or Areas
 ReferenceReference
 CirculationCirculation
 Electronic ResourcesElectronic Resources
 PeriodicalsPeriodicals
 StacksStacks

3. 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

4. ReferenceReference
 Ready ReferenceReady Reference
– Almanac, Dictionary, Style GuidesAlmanac, Dictionary, Style Guides
– Library Specific or Produced MaterialsLibrary Specific or Produced Materials
» List of Periodicals, Guides to Databases, SpecialList of Periodicals, Guides to Databases, Special
Lists, Classroom Assignments & InformationLists, Classroom Assignments & Information

5. 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
 Usually staffed by paraprofessionals andUsually staffed by paraprofessionals and
not librarians.not librarians.

6. 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

7. TechnologyTechnology
 Usually near the reference desk or in itsUsually 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 otherAccess to word processing and other
programs are often in a separate computerprograms are often in a separate computer
lab.lab.
 PhotocopyingPhotocopying

8. PeriodicalsPeriodicals
 Paper, Microforms, DatabasesPaper, Microforms, Databases
 Larger libraries with space and staff have aLarger libraries with space and staff have a
dedicated area (usually run bydedicated area (usually run by
paraprofessionals)paraprofessionals)
 Small libraries mix with Reference orSmall libraries mix with Reference or
CirculationCirculation

9. StacksStacks
 Shelves of BooksShelves of Books
– Open Stacks: Anyone Can AccessOpen Stacks: Anyone Can Access
– Closed Stacks: Only Library Staff Can AccessClosed Stacks: Only Library Staff Can Access
» Rare Books (Rare Books (The Gutenberg BibleThe Gutenberg Bible))
» Archived Books (Storage)Archived Books (Storage)
– Stacks Organized by Call NumbersStacks Organized by Call Numbers

10. Other Departments or AreasOther Departments or Areas
 MediaMedia
 Library Instruction (Including classes suchLibrary Instruction (Including classes such
as this one)as this one)
 Government InformationGovernment Information
 Special CollectionsSpecial Collections

11. Departments or AreasDepartments or Areas
 MediaMedia
– Video/DVDVideo/DVD’s’s
– CD’s/Other AudioCD’s/Other Audio
– SoftwareSoftware
– OtherOther
 Library InstructionLibrary Instruction
 Government InformationGovernment Information
 Special CollectionsSpecial Collections

12. 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

13. 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 LibrariesFederal Depository Libraries (Started in(Started in
1815, Around 1250 Libraries)1815, Around 1250 Libraries)
– These are libraries designated to house federalThese are libraries designated to house federal
materials such as reports from agencies ormaterials such as reports from agencies or
congressional reports.congressional reports.
– Regional (holds all publications available)Regional (holds all publications available)
– Selective (holds some materials)Selective (holds some materials)

14. Special CollectionsSpecial Collections
 Books & other materials dedicated toBooks & other materials dedicated to
specific subject(s) such as the history of thespecific 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 anMay be run and/or financially supported by an
outside organizationoutside organization

15. Other AreasOther Areas
 Interlibrary Loans (ILL)Interlibrary Loans (ILL)
– Acquiring books and materials from otherAcquiring 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
 ConsortiumsConsortiums
– A group of libraries who share resourcesA group of libraries who share resources