This document outlines the typical departments and areas within libraries. It describes the main functions of reference, circulation, reserves, technology, periodicals, and stacks. It also discusses other common areas like media, library instruction, government information, special collections, and interlibrary loans. The document provides details on the roles and collections within each department.

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