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Library Organization: Sections

Library Services

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 materials 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.

Each library is organized for the best use of its primary customers.

• 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.
• Academic libraries (undergraduate libraries and the libraries of small colleges, universities, and community colleges) support the course work of their students.
• Public libraries support the recreation, business, and citizenship needs of their communities.
• School library and media centers support the classroom activities of elementary and secondary school students.
• Special libraries support the information needs of their employers (law firms, corporate research & development, hospitals, etc.).

To make finding sources easier, librarians categorize materials using various characteristics, such as:

• Format
  • Video
  • Book
  • Website
• Source Type
  • Reference
  • Fiction
• Subject
  • Engineering
  • Social Work
  • Sports

These collections may be arranged by room, floor, Web page, or building.