5.2: Library Collections and Services
- Page ID
- 324674
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Libraries offer a wide assortment of resources and services. The library "collections" include all of the various resources that a library offers for loan. There are services and resources that are commonplace across almost all libraries, and then specialized resources offered by only particular types. Most commonly, there are two types of libraries:
- Public libraries: Public libraries are state-funded institutions that offer free service to their community.
- Academic libraries: Academic libraries are associated with a specific college or university, and offer services to the members of their institution. However, many academic libraries also offer services to the public as well!
Library Collections
Libraries loan (or "check out") many different types of resources. The physical collection is often made up of print books, periodicals such as newspapers and magazines, and often simple devices such as headphones, web cams, dry erase markers, or fidget toys. However, these physical collections can include a lot more! Below, is a list of common resources and the types of libraries where you might find them.
| Resource | Public Library | Academic Library |
| Print Books, Magazines, Journals, and Videos |  |
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| Audiobooks and music | |
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| Electronic books, journals, videos, and music | |
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| Computers and WiFi | |
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| Workshops on using computers and doing research | |
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| Meeting/study space (including private study rooms) | |
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| Printing and scanning | |
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| Headphones and webcams | |
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| 3D printers, button makers, etc. | |
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| Public speaker events, book readings, etc. | |
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| Tools, small kitchen appliances, umbrellas, power washers, etc. | |
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| Specialized research sources such as substantial subject-specific databases | |
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| Laptops, chromebooks, iPads | |
There are other types of libraries as well. Within the category of academic libraries there are a number of specialized libraries including law libraries, medical libraries, science libraries, and more.
Library Services
Libraries are constantly changing and offering new resources and services. Every library is happy to receive feedback and suggestions, always looking for new ways to serve their community. Libraries include a number of different staff such as the circulation staff who often check out and re-shelve your books, the librarians who help to find things, and the directors who plan budgets and organize schedules.
Librarians train in graduate school to learn how to provide "reference support". This refers to helping people find research. Whether you're looking for a book, a diary from the 1920s, information on car loans, or journal articles to research a school project; librarians are experts on finding and organizing information! One of the primary jobs of librarians is to answer your questions and help you find what you're looking for.
As a part of this, librarians often offer workshops or other types of training to help educate people on how to conduct research, use computers, etc. However, there are a host of other services offering by libraries.
At the public library, you're more likely to see public community-oriented events such as English as a Second Language classes, computer workshops, home delivery services for disabled patrons, homework help centers, legal clinics, book clubs, child and teen reading hours, and even notary public services.
At academic libraries, you'll often find interlibrary loan to borrow items from other libraries, reserve collections for specific courses, and sometimes textbooks.