Service Alert
Understanding how to read call numbers and shelve books correctly is an important skill for all library staff. Call numbers essentially act as addresses for library materials, simplifying the locating process and shelving ensures that all materials remain in their designated locations, facilitating easy access for both patrons and staff.
After reviewing both the PowerPoint and video, please take the test. Scoring 100% is necessary to progress to the next stage of the shelving/shelf reading process. Once gaining a perfect score, send your supervisor a screenshot of your test results via email. Upon confirmation, they will begin training you for the staging phase.
Below are some resources that can assist you in learning how to read call numbers effectively:
How to: Read a Library of Congress Call Number Video
Library of Congress: An Overview
Knowing how to check materials in and out of the library is essential for all workers, as it ensures efficient resource circulation, maintains accurate inventory records, and enhances customer service by facilitating smooth borrowing and returning processes for patrons. Additionally, remember to create accounts for new patrons and update information for existing ones to ensure their records are up-to-date.
Below are a couple of links that will walk you through the different loan processes and creating accounts:
How to Check Materials into OCLC
How to Check Materials out of OCLC
How to Create an Account in OCLC
Patrons often require assistance in locating and searching the library's online catalog. Here are some video links that will provide helpful tips on navigating it.
Part I - How to Access the Library Catalog
Why do we weed? What materials do we weed?
Weeding the library collections is important for maintaining the quality and relevance of the materials we decide to keep. Think of the process similar to spring cleaning for library materials. By eliminating old, outdated, or damaged resources from our collection, we make more space for new materials to be introduced. Listed below are material that would qualify for the weeding process:
*Decisions for withdrawal of items will be made by library staff in conjunction with input from appropriate faculty.*
Students will also learn how to label books. Learning how to label is another way to help organize materials systematically, making it easier for patrons to locate and access materials. Additionally, this reduces the chances of misplacement when integrating a book into the circulating collection.
When labeling, please consult the "Library Collections" tab for examples of the various labeling styles represented in each collection.
Book displays plays can captivate patrons' interest in library resources. Each month, the library selects a new theme for book displays, offering student workers the creative freedom to choose books and arrange them to be aesthetically appealing. This not only enhances the library's aesthetic, but also serves as a way to promote new materials, seasonal themes, holidays, or upcoming events.
When creating displays and flyers, we often use Canva as a website to design new layouts and graphics.
Spatial Statistics: Once a month the library will record spatial statistics by tracking foot traffic and usage patterns within the library. This information helps us understand more about resource placement and ensuring that the library remains user-friendly and efficient.
Library Questions Statistics: All staff members are tasked with the responsibility of recording patrons' questions in LibAnswers. This helps us to identify common questions and areas of improvement. By documenting patron questions, we can enhance our customer service and improve our resources to better meet their needs.
