The Reference Department
The new Reference Department brings
together the collections and the librarians from
the three previous subject divisions
(Education-Psychology, Social Science,
Humanities) and the Catalog Information
Service. This eliminates the duplication of
many materials and services. The following
services are offered by the new Reference
Department:
Reference Assistance
Surrounding the reference desk is a collection
of more than 20,000 reference books. These
include dictionaries, encyclopedias,
handbooks, periodical indexes, bibliographies,
and other resources. The librarians can show
you which materials to use to answer your
specific questions. They can also help you
choose and use periodical indexes that cover
the subjects on which you are working.
Though any librarian at the desk has the
background to help you with general
questions, most librarians also have advanced
knowledge and experience in special subject
areas, such as psychology or business. If you
are doing detailed or advanced work, you may
want to ask for an appointment with the
subject specialist in your area.
Sometimes it gets pretty hectic around the
reference desk—especially around term paper
time. To make sure you get the help you need,
the reference staff offers a term paper advisory
service. Sign up at the reference desk for an
appointment with one of the reference
librarians. You and the librarian will discuss
your topic and which subject headings,
reference books, and indexes will be most
helpful to you. You are responsible for doing
the research yourself, but this service will get
you started.
Catalog Assistance
Questions you used to ask at the Catalog
Information Service Desk should now be taken
to the reference desk. Reference librarians will
explain how to use the card and microfiche
catalogs, suggest subject headings to use, and
tell you how to locate books you find listed in
the catalogs.
Card Catalogs
ho
Inter-Library Loan
T1
3 Catalog
Department
1 r
6 Computer Search
11 Juvenile Collection
7 Curriculum Collection
r
C 13
Circulation /Information
1 Acquisitions
t
i
i
rd
| 13 Newspaper Reading Room
P
8 ERIC Clearinghouse
I
12 Library Administration
<—- i I
LJJ
Library Main Entrance
Computer Searches
Do you have many indexes to search, or is
your topic a complicated one which is hard to
find in printed indexes? If so, you might
consider requesting a computer search on
your topic. The computer can search many of
the indexes in the Library. By combining
search terms, it can often help you use these
indexes more efficiently.
To schedule a computer search, go to the
reference desk. Request a search form, fill it
out, and make an appointment with a subject
specialist to run the search. The average cost
for a search is $5-$25. The cost depends on
which indexes you search, the complexity of
your search strategy, and the number of
references you have printed. Reference
librarians can provide more information on
computer searching.
Government Documents
Though the Government Documents Section is
still in its old location on the second floor, it is
now a part of the Reference Department. This
section contains publications of the United
States government, the United Nations,
various state and foreign governments, and
international organizations. Special indexes to
these materials are available in this section,
and librarians and staff who specialize in
government documents are available to help
you.
Bibliographic Instruction
The Library sponsors several courses which
carry University credit. The most popular is LIB
127, Use of the Library, a three-credit general
course which helps students in any field learn
to use the Library effectively. LIB 199, Use of
Business and Economics Library Resources, is
a three-credit course which teaches basic
library skills but takes all of its examples from
the fields of business and economics. LIB
407g, Teaching with Audio-Visual Media, is
taught by the Instructional Media Center staff.
For more information on Library-sponsored
courses, consult the Time Schedule of Classes
or the reference staff.
Interlibrary Loan
if the Library doesn’t have a book or journal
you need, you may be able to borrow it from
another library. The reference or interlibrary
loan staff can help you fill out request forms.
Be sure to plan ahead, though, for materials
may take two weeks or longer to arrive.