Each library is organized for the best use of its primary customers.
Public libraries support the recreation, business, and
citizenship needs of their communities.
Special libraries support the information needs of their
employers (law firms, corporate research & development, hospitals,
etc.)
School library and media centers support the classroom
activities of elementary and secondary school students.
Academic libraries (undergraduate libraries and the
libraries of small colleges and universities and community colleges)
support the course work of their students.
Research libraries are maintained at large research
universities and support both student course work and faculty
research. These are typically the world's largest libraries.
To make finding sources easier, librarians categorize materials
using various characteristics, such as format (video, book, Web
site), source type (reference, fiction), and subject (engineering,
social work, sports). These collections may be arranged by room,
floor, Web page, or building. Explore the sample library sections
below (click rooms for more info).
Reference librarians can help you find/use reference materials, search
databases, develop research strategies, and almost anything related to
information-seeking.
Circulation is responsible for checking library materials in and out,
maintaining reserve readings for courses, and handling requests for
checked out or missing material.
Interlibrary Loan borrows material for you from libraries around the
region and the world. If you need an article or book your library
doesn't own, ask for interlibrary loan help.
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Module 4