Library Public Services

Types of Public Services

Reference Age specific Outreach to community Programs and workshops Exhibits, Displays Website and online resources Services and collections

Age specific services

Children (preschool, school age)– Storytime, crafts, summer reading club, performances,

homework help Teens

– book clubs, teen zone, movies, gaming, comics and graphic novels

Adults and Seniors– book clubs, author visits, demonstrations, workshops, crafts and

music events – Literacy, computer instruction– homebound delivery

Outreach Services -Public Libraries:

Literacy programs Bookmobiles Community meeting space class visits

– school visits to the library– librarian visits to a school

Homebound or disabled delivery

Outreach Services – Academic Libraries

Bibliographic Instruction/Information Literacy– Workshops– Orientations for specific classes– Collaboration with faculty

Community programs– Book-related discussions, exhibits

Services for high school students and reciprocal agreements with other colleges

Community programs

Programs related to specialized subject collections Exhibits and displays (artists, local history, etc.)

informational, recreational, cultural, entertainment programs

– e.g. gardening, travel, author visits, lectures

instructional workshops– computer classes – research workshops

Website, online resources and services

Resource Links Online databases community directory and resource lists research guides

Services and Collections

Pamphlet, handouts and news rack Public Computers Tax forms Government information and reports Local history

Circulation & Access Services

Goals Provide access to library materials

– Inventory control – Shelving/stack management/operations– Holds, reserves, interlibrary loan/document delivery

Customer service - first impression– Patron registration, fines, – Privacy– Security

Access to library materials

Inventory control – Check in/out, discharge/reactivate sensors– Physical inventory, shelf checks for missing items

Shelving/stack maintenance– Shelving, paging, sorting, book drops

Reserve materials: paper and electronic reserves Process patron requests:

– interlibrary loan/document delivery, Holds, shelf-checks

Customer service

First impression of the library Directional questions Refer to other areas (reference, childrens) Signage and handouts communicating policy Patron registration, fines Privacy issues Security and monitoring library behavior

Circulation Terminology

Define the availability and status of items in the library collection

In-library use:– Reference collection (encyclopedias, etc)– Reserves (e- reserves, textbooks and course readings;

short term loan may be allowed)– Special collections: rare books, documents, current

periodicals, maps, etc.

Circulating collection - can be checked out Circulation policies, issues and restrictions (LIB 103)