Library Skills
Making the most of the library is a function of understanding its organ-
ization—and usingit! The more time you spend there—studying,
reading, researching—the more productive you’ll be. You’ll become
adept at tracking down reference materials and finding the informa-
tion you need quickly.
Virtually all libraries follow the same organization— once you under-
stand it you’ll be “library literate,” no matter what library you use.
In this book, you’ll discover what kinds of resources are available
(books, periodicals, directories, encyclopedias, dictionaries, magazines,
newspapers, documents, microfilm files) and learn how to find mate-
rials using the Dewey decimal and Library of Congress Systems as
well as the library’s computerized system.
To better evaluate your library skills, answer the following questions:
1.What collections are restricted in your library?
2.Where would you find a biography of Herbert Hoover in your
local library? Where is the reference section in your local
library?
3.Given the Dewey number for a book, could you find it in less
than five minutes? The Library of Congress number?
4.How often have you been to the library in the past six
months? The past month?
5.Do you know how to find books, periodicals, and so forth
using the library’s computerized card catalog?Score: If the answers to these questions are all obvious to you, indi-
cating a steady pattern of library use, then you can claim to have the
library habit—give yourself an A. If you’re unable to answer at least
four of the questions or will freely own up to a spotty record of library
use, give yourself a B. If you don’t have the faintest clue of where the
closest library is, give yourself a C.
Chapter 1 ■ How to Start Out Right 9