Library Research Skills
Locations in the library
Libraries arrange their materials into different collections based on the type of resource. It will be helpful for you to know about these collections.
- Reference collections: Materials used in the library that provide access to information often in a summarized form. Reference collections typically include encyclopaedias, statistical material, dictionaries, bibliographies, literary criticism, handbooks, and biographies. Reference collections do not circulate.
- Circulating collections: materials that can be checked out of the library. Each library sets its own policy on how many items a patron can check-out, as well has how long the item is loaned.
- Reserve collections: materials set aside by staff for researcher to use. Most library reserve collections are located behind the circulation desk and are limited to in-library use only.
- Special Collections: materials purchased in specialized subject areas. The library usually shelves special collection material separate from the general circulating and reference collections. Literacy, Educational Resources and Local History.
- Pamphlet files: materials often of an ephemeral nature and of local interest that the library has chosen to collect.
- Microform collections: material that has been miniaturized and placed on microfilm or microfiche. Microform material must be read on special microform machines.
- Audiovisual collections: Video, DVD, CD and audiocassette material.
Finding Books
Books in the library have call numbers, which are like addresses for their location on the shelf.
Let's say you were looking for the book The Business Plan Workbook: a practical guide for managers. By searching for the title "Business plan workbook" in the library catalogue, you would find the call number.
If your library uses the Dewey Decimal system, the call number would be 306.70285. What does this number represent?
Have a look at the first and second summary pages and How Dewey works, to see how this 'call number is arrived at.
Adapted and Modified (5th December 2005) from a tutorial, originally created and written by Thomas W. Eland, Librarian/Instructor at Minneapolis Community & Technical College. Original document available at http://www.pals.msus.edu Last updated: December 14, 2000.
