2. Layout of the Library
• Libraries have changed – main difference is
computers
• Pre-Computer: used Card catalogues: 3” X 5”
• Modern libraries have computers, internet,
photocopy machines, etc.
• Etiquette is the same:
• Whisper instead of talk
• Return books on time
3. The Computer
• Astounding improvement in efficiency and
accessibility, cost has decreased dramatically
• Most universities/colleges have remote access
• Can access entire library remotely
• (PAC) Public-Access Catalogue
• (OPAC) Online Public-Access Catalogue
• Can request interlibrary loans (takes several days)
• Now, next generation search catalogues – available
online (example Text pg. 22-23)
4. Online Full-Text Databases
• Useful databases offer full text of an article or
book, rather than directing to library
• Different libraries subscribe to different
databases
• Examples of most popular databases:
(George Washington University)
• ArticlesPlus ProQuest (All databases)
• ProQuest Research Library Academic Search Complete
• JSTOR WorldCat
• LexisNexis Academic Web of Science
• ABI/Inform PsycINFO
• Project Muse
5. Online Full-Text Databases
• Other databases found in libraries (Text pg. 24)
• Oxford English Dictionary Encyclopedia Britannica
• American National Biography The Grove Dictionary of Art Online
• Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy
• Popular Full text databases:
• Highwire Press (life sciences, social sciences, medicine)
• Merlot (Multimedia Educational Research)
• Project Gutenburg Electronic Public Library (books in public domain,
meaning published before 1923)
6. Microform Indexes
• Was once popular system which stored
magazines and newspapers and microfiche
• Use Microfilm readers
• Generally now replaced by online sources
7. Stacks
• Stacks are the shelves where books and
periodicals are stored in the library
• Can be closed (need permission) or open
8. Reference Room or Shelf
• Encyclopedias, indexes consulted for info are
stored in a reference room/shelf
• Large unwieldy volumes – many available on CD-ROM /
DB
9. Main Desk
• Information center and as checkout counter for
books
• Library personnel are trained to help researcher find
material – can be invaluable assistance – just ask!
10. Reserve Desk
• Reserve books are kept at the reserve desk
• Reserve books available only in library and only for
limited time (ex. 2 hours)
• Professors often put essential books on reserve
14. Organization of the Library
Collections
• 2 Major Classification Systems:
• Dewey Decimal System / Cutter-Sanborn
• Library of Congress Classification System
15. Organization of the Library
Collections
Dewey Decimal System
Used more than any
other system
(Text pg. 28)
16. Organization of the Library
Collections
• Cutter-Sanborn Author Marks
• Used in conjunction with Dewey Decimal System
• Assigns number to author surname - published table
• Uses first letter of surname, number, first letter of title
• (Text pg. 29-30)
17. Organization of the Library
Collections
• Library of Congress (www.loc.gov)
• Founded in 1880
• Rapidly growing collection led to new system of
classification (now widely used by larger libraries)
18. Organization of the Library
Collections
• Library of Congress Classification System
• Main branches of knowledge with 21 letters
• Library of Congress Subject Headings available in libraries
19. Organization of the Library
Collections
• Classification of Periodicals/Newspapers
• Classified differently than books
• Current issues usually shelved, older issues on
microfilm/computer/CD-ROM/Stacks
20. Organization of the Library
Collections
• Classification of non-books
• Non-book materials: films, microfilms, recordings,
sheet music, slides, etc. (Text Pg. 32)
• No hard-and-fast rule
• Ask librarian
