Library

There are many reasons for an individual to visit the library in their town or city. The library is a collection of books, periodicals, computers and other sources that are usually available to residents for free. One of the main library purposes that serve a community is giving an individual a place to research a subject.

• The main library in an area will usually be the biggest and most well-stocked building within the library branch. For instance, the New York Public Library has many branches but the main library is the largest location, with three floors and hundreds of thousands of ways to do research. To start researching a subject in the library, one should do a search on the available resources within the main library on the subject. If an individual is researching birds, then they should do a search of what books and videos the library has on birds. Nowadays, the library catalog is available through a computer within the library. There are also magazine articles and newspaper articles available.

• One should not just search the computer databases in the main library. Librarians are available to help individuals find the location of various items. If an item is available at one branch of the library but not another, the librarian can request an inter-library loan on the item. This allows the individual to get the source at their main library after it is sent there, even though the item is usually located in another branch. The person should also be able to return this item to the same branch of the library that they normally use; in other words, their main library.

• After searching the library catalog, the individual should find the location of the sources that are going to be used. This is done by finding the call numbers, which are a series of numbers and letters that categorize the sections of non-fiction books. Sections are arranged according to topic. When in the library, an individual may notice books on their subject in the bookshelves that they did not notice on the library Internet database. An individual who is searching for a newspaper or magazine article will have to search a different section of the library. The main library will have a section specifically for magazines and newspapers. The articles are not arranged according to topic, but according to year and name.

With the help of the library Internet database, which lists every resource available in the library, as well as the library staff, an individual can find exactly what sources they need to research a subject.

Libraries

A library used to simply be a collection of books. Libraries could mean the actual books or the building that the books were located in. Often, the word library meant both. Now, in the age of technology, libraries are much more that. The resources that a library has can now include not only books but computer and Internet access, movies, audio books, tutors and a host of other sources.

• Most libraries are public libraries because they are paid for by public sources such as local tax money. Public libraries are used by people who either cannot or will not purchase all the books they may need or want to read. As a method of free entertainment, public libraries are considered wonderful places for individuals, especially children, to spend free time. Many people who cannot afford computers can sign up for blocks of time to reserve a computer. Libraries offer computer use for both research and recreation. It is up to the individual to decide what to do on the library computers. There are some websites that are not allowed to be viewed from these library computers, since they are public.

• Libraries are arranged by departments in various classification systems. Non-fiction books are broken down into sections within the libraries and organized by the Dewey Decimal system. The Dewey Decimal System is organized by numbers. After those numbers and a decimal, there are letters showing the section within the library that the book is in. The books are then shelved in the library according to numbers. There are computers in libraries that can find information about the book that an individual is looking for. These computers can also tell someone if the library has that book, and if they do not what other libraries do have it. The library could then order this book for the individual or the person can go to the other library to pick it up. Libraries used to have card catalogs to help a person find the material they wanted. Computers have online databases listing the books within a library that is much quicker and easier to use.

• Fiction books in libraries are classified by author, and they are alphabetical. Although libraries will usually have a special sections for teens and children, adult fiction is not usually broken into categories. Some libraries however, do have a special section for newer books.

Libraries can be great places to complete homework, do Internet research, or just check out books to enjoy or learn from. Some libraries even host poetry readings and visiting authors. There are many things to do at a library that can be fun and free.

Librarie of Harvard

Two of the top universities in the United States unsurprisingly have the two of the top
university libraries available. Both Harvard University and Georgetown University have extensive libraries to serve the students, teachers, and staff of their schools.

• Many school libraries require students and faculty to have pin numbers, passwords, or student identification cards to gain access to their library material. The same is true of Harvard University and Georgetown University. Visitors and guests are usually, but not always, allowed to use student libraries temporarily, although they are unable to have access to the computers or check out any books.

• Harvard University has 70 different libraries that form the system for the Harvard University system. At Harvard University, most of the libraries are not available for public use at all. However, Harvard University alumnae do have access to some of the libraries and resources. With a large number of resources, both on the Internet and through the actual library, Harvard University is known to have one of the best university libraries in the country. Harvard University has separate libraries for many different subjects including theology, philosophy, mathematics, science, and music. Harvard University libraries also offer many events, workshops and meetings that students and faculty may choose to attend.

• The Georgetown University library has a rich history behind its creation. The third Georgetown University president, Louis Guillaume Valentin DuBourg began the libraries’ large collection of books by bringing 100 volumes of various subjects from Maryland. The collection of books at Georgetown University grew rapidly and by the 19th century, the school had about 30,000 volumes. The only school that could claim a higher collection was Harvard University. Yale University and Brown University has a similar number of books.

• The late 1800s brought in donation big enough to build a cast iron library on the Georgetown University campus. E. Francis Riggs donated the money in honor of his father and to this day, the Riggs library at Georgetown University is one of the few libraries in the country that is crafted of cast iron. The collection of texts continued to grow as the years passed and in 1970, as a memorial to a deceased Vietnam veteran alumnus, a new library was built that was able to hold the 450,000 volumes that Georgetown University had accumulated.

Harvard University and Georgetown University are two of the most competitive school in the United States, if not the world. Their libraries are both designed to reflect the academic level of success that they offer to their students.

Free Library

A public library is a free library that is generally financed by public money, such as public taxes. Free libraries serve the population of the area in which they are located. A free library is non-profit and offers services and resources that an individual may not be able to afford.

• Free libraries offer a wide range of resources that are unavailable for free anywhere else. Some of these things include old periodicals, books (of fiction, non-fiction, and reference), DVDs, audio books, and computer usage with Internet access. Since there are many individuals who are unable to afford a computer or Internet access, free libraries offer individuals a chance to use both of these for a period of time. Often, an individual will sign up on the waiting list at the free library and assigned a computer reservation for a fixed period of time. Although there are some websites with content that cannot be displayed at free libraries, there are millions of websites available for viewing. In recent years, free libraries started offering video cassettes and DVDs to its members. At a free library, an individual will have access to many movies.

• A free library is often considered a fun way for children to be entertained. Many free libraries offer a range of activities from arts and crafts to story telling. Some free libraries also offer snacks during these sessions. Children are not the only ones who find events to attend. Free libraries have been known to host poetry slams, classes and local art shows. Meetings involving the local school district or issues that are open for public discussion are often hosted in free libraries, who may have conference rooms and meeting halls available. Depending on the size of the free library, there may be more than one.

• Another benefit that a free library offers are the services of a trained librarian who can help with research and reference questions. These librarians can even offer their help over the telephone, although it is more common for an individual to ask in person. Although much of this research is available on the Internet now, a trained librarian who works for a free library can usually answer the question better than a website.

In larger metropolitan areas, there will be many free libraries, some with different branches in different locations. Small towns may only have one small free library. No matter the size of the free library, it is a form of free entertainment for many individuals.

Online Library

An online library provides almost everything that a regular library provides. However, using an online library brings an individual all the information they need without leaving their computer. Although online libraries cannot provide many of the activities and events that a regular library can, online libraries allow users access to a wide range of features.

• One benefit of an online library is the fact that online libraries are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Unlike regular libraries that operate for certain hours and close for holidays, online libraries never close. Therefore, an individual is able to do the research they need to do at any time. Another benefit is that no book can be checked out and any individual will have access to it, no matter how many other people may be viewing it in the online library.

• One popular online library is called Questia. As the world’s largest online library, Questia has books, journals and newspaper articles available for users. People can search for the information they need by key words. Any article or book that has the key word or words in it can be read in its entirety. Questia’s online library even offers writing tools for individuals like students so that they can work on assignments and take notes. This online library offers a large selection of languages to choose from, in which to read the content of their website. Questia charges a monthly fee for their services because of the extensive content they supply, but some other online libraries provide their services for free. Questia’s online library does offer a free trial period.

• Online libraries have books and articles available that covers everything from medicine to law to philosophy. Everything that a regular library has may also be available in an online library.

• Online libraries can be found by the selection of material they offer. Some online libraries will choose to offer a variety of topics while other online libraries may just be academic. Besides libraries that only exist online, many libraries are putting some of their content online. Online libraries that are sponsored by a particular college are becoming more common.

• The most advanced form of an online library is known as a Kindle. A Kindle is a small portable computer screen that gives it users access to downloadable books. The books available on Kindle are cheaper than the ones available in stores and some are free. This little online library is becoming more popular as more books become available for download.

Online libraries can offer a level of convenience that regular public libraries cannot. However, an online library does not offer the services of an experienced librarian to help answer any questions an individual may have, although many of the sites will have the answers for commonly asked online library questions.

Medical Libraries

Medical libraries exist to help doctors, medical students, curious patients and medical researchers get information on medical subjects. Unlike public libraries, a medical library will have extremely detailed information about all detailed medical conditions, treatment and research.

• Medical libraries are usually found in medical schools, medical research labs and large hospitals. One major benefit of having access to a medical library is the technology that can be accessed. One specific database, known as MEDLINE, is a very useful and up-to-date site that is designed to have the latest medical research available. A medical library will also have access to all the best medical journal archives.

• Any school that offers medical, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and several other types of medical-related training must have an updated medical library to be accredited. These medical library standards are set by groups such as the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education is a type of quality assurance group that exists for any type of medical school. There must be a staff in the medical library that is well qualified to answer questions that may be asked of them. Usually, a medical library will be located near, not in, a medical school or hospital.

• One of the largest medical libraries in the world is the United States National Library of Medicine. Located in Maryland, this medical library also has an extensive website that allows for medical information to be obtained. A large online medical library catalog acts as the website’s search engine. The National Library of Medicine receives a constant stream of updates and new information from highly regarded experts in a variety of medical fields. Another large organization dedicated to medical libraries is the Medical Library Association. The Medical Library Association publishes an international journal that is known as the Journal of Medical Library Association. It is published four times a year and is made for medical libraries, in order for them to advance their databases of medical information.

• Medical libraries are especially valuable for medical students. Medical students will statistically use a medical library about three times per each week in medical school. Well known medical schools such as John Hopkins University School of Medicine are known for having access to well stocked nearby medical libraries.

Entering the medical profession or researching a medical condition, whether for required research or personal reasons, is made easier with the use of medical libraries. A medical library is the best place for receiving accurate medical information resources that one cannot receive in other places.

Law Library

While public libraries have a mixture of fiction and non-fiction books and resources available, law libraries concentrate on providing needed legal resources to law students, lawyers and judges. While law schools will usually provide an extensive law library for its students, other individuals are allowed to use them, although they may not be allowed to check out books. Many court houses also have the law libraries on the premises, especially the larger ones.

Although legal state requirements of law libraries change from location to location, most law libraries offer the same resources. A typical law library will have a large collection of extensive law material that is not available in regular libraries. These items may include books of federal state regulations and laws, copies of treaties, reports from Supreme Court cases and volumes of important law reviews. A greater variety of law books are not the only specialties available in law libraries. While the Internet usage at a regular public library will usually only include access to certain websites, a law library will provide access to online legal outlets such as the full version of the search program LexisNexis.
Every law school is required to give its students access to a law library that meets certain qualifications. These qualifications include issues dealing with the number of resources they have as well as the quality of the resources. These law libraries are never housed within a regular school library, although they may be located in the same building. When the law library is operated by a courthouse, it is usually located within a particular wing. There are many courthouses that do not offer law libraries, but one of the best law libraries in the world is located in the United States Supreme Court building. Another law library that is considered on of the best is the Law Library of Congress.

One of the most popular websites for gathering information on law libraries are considered to be the Law Library of Congress’ official website. Another good source of information on law libraries are the American Association of Law Libraries. The American Association of Law Libraries is a non-profit organization that was created to promote law libraries to both legal professionals and regular individuals.

Law libraries are excellent places to find information about specific and general law issues. Nearly every important legal source that exists can be found in a law library. The larger the law library, the better chance that an individual has of finding the legal information that they are seeking.

Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was not called the Patron Saint of Libraries for no reason. Credited for started over 2500 Carnegie libraries, Andrew Carnegie was a philanthropist and a Scottish American businessman. He had both the means and desire to build public and university libraries.

• When Andrew Carnegie was a child, he had no idea that he would someday be responsible for creating the famous Carnegie libraries. However, he spent much of his childhood reading and going to libraries. The future creator of the Carnegie Library system also had a father who was responsible for helping to found the Tradesmen’s Subscription Library, which was subscribed to buy a good number of individuals. Andrew Carnegie used to listen to public readings that the Tradesmen’s Subscription Library.

• The man behind Carnegie libraries began working for a telegraph company when he was a young adult in Pennsylvania. The owner of this company had his own personal library that he let his workers use on Saturdays. During that time period, many believed that the common working man should not be entitled to learn how to read. It was somewhat of a big deal for a wealthy man to promote literacy amongst his working class employees. As a hard working immigrant, Andrew Carnegie would use this philosophy to create the first Carnegie Library.

• Most of the 2500 Carnegie libraries that were built was with the help of local supporters. Andrew Carnegie believed in getting the community involved by using what was called the Carnegie Formula: he would match the community monetary contributions made by individuals and other requirements. Andrew Carnegie rarely denied a request from a town to build a Carnegie Library. Instead, he required that the people be willing to have taxes raised to support the Carnegie Library. Andrew Carnegie also required the area to demonstrate its need for a Carnegie Library, provide the building and finance 10% of the yearly construction fees of Carnegie Library.

• Eventually, Andrew Carnegie was responsible for funding at least 2500 Carnegie libraries around the world. Most of the Carnegie libraries were in the United States; roughly 1700. The additional Carnegie libraries were built in many different places including Britain, Ireland, and Fiji. Many southerners did not believe that African Americans should have been allowed to know how to read. When dealing with the racism of southern America and the required segregation, Andrew Carnegie went as far as to build separate Carnegie libraries specifically for African Americans.

It is because of Andrew Carnegie and his Carnegie libraries that many individuals in the late 1800s and early 1900s had access to the large amount of reading material that they had. Andrew Carnegie will forever be known for his Carnegie Library legacy.

Library Job

Finding a library job can be a difficult task. If an individual has a good idea of the tasks that will be required of them in a library job, as well as what the employer will be looking for in an applicant, they will increase their chances of finding library jobs.

• The library job market is very competitive. Because of the nature of the work, there are few entry level library jobs that are available. Because of this, many people find that they need to obtain a master’s degree in library sciences to obtain a good library job. Due to the fact that states are cutting funding for libraries, finding a library job is even more difficult than it previously was. With the many cutbacks, libraries, like many other jobs, are cutting back on the number of employees they have. People who currently hold library jobs are trained to do multiple jobs while others are let go. This low need for paid employees increases because many library jobs are actually filled by unpaid volunteers and interns. Many retirees choose to volunteer at libraries.

• However, just because it is difficult to find a library job does not mean that it is impossible. The problems with trying to find a library job within the timing of a bad economy is that an applicant may be required to lower their salary standards and travel farther than they would usually be willing to. Individuals may also be required to take on multiple responsibilities within their new library job. Lowering standards may not be acceptable for some applicants, but others will use the possible library job opportunity to gain important job experience, which is one of the most important qualities that one can have when seeking a library job.

• An individual may find it more difficult to find a library job in a location that is popular to live in. For instance, New York City is a very difficult place to find a library job, although New York City has more libraries than most areas in the United States. This is also of areas that have a large number of universities, like Boston, MA. Areas that are rural may have less library jobs available, but those library jobs are also generally easier to obtain since there will not be a lot of competition for the positions.

• Being flexible is an important requirement that an applicant must have when seeking a library job. The hours of a particular library may change: some libraries have different summer hours than they do in other seasons. In addition, some libraries will be open later than others and the job tasks may change from library to library.

A library job can be a rewarding career for an individual who is truly interested in the field. Although finding one can be tough, someone who manages to obtain a library job and really enjoys it will probably find the experience to be worth the time and energy spent.

Public Library NY

A public library is a library funded by public money, such as taxpayer money. The purpose of a public library is to provide books, Internet access and many other resources to the public for free. Even DVDs and movies are available for free rentals. Public libraries are not new, in fact the first organization that was considered to be a public library was created in the late 1500s.

• The first public library was created in England. At that time, the only people who were able to use libraries were individuals who joined a cathedral or were enrolled in college. This public library was called Francis Trigge Chained Library. This public library actually still exists and is famous for its long standing history of giving the people free access to all library resources. Although this library was the first, it stood nearly alone in its existence until the mid 1800s. That was the time period in which public libraries began to become popular.

• In England, Parliament decided to make a committee dedicated to considering the creation of multiple public libraries. The committee was supposed to decide if a public library was something that would benefit the public. The committee reported back that public libraries would be beneficial, since so many people were poor. The recommendation was to open multiple public libraries throughout the country. This decision led to the Public Libraries Act of 1850. The act allowed all cities to collect taxes for public library support, providing that the population of the city had at least 10,000 people.

• This was quickly followed by the Public School Law, created in 1870. The point of this law was to raise the literacy rate of the public, since it was very low at the time. The only people who really knew how to read were rich people and scholars. Obviously, this literacy need increased the need for public libraries. By the 1870s, over 50 cities had created public libraries of their own. Only 30 years later, the number of public libraries hit 300. This was the time when public libraries began opening everywhere, and the United States began funding them as well. A public library was funded by public money, but it was also common for the people to help out these public libraries grow and flourish. Womens’ clubs and the wealthy donated books to these public libraries to improve their selections.

Today, there are hundreds of thousands of public libraries in the world. The larger the city, the more public libraries will be found there. Unfortunately, despite the great need and desire for public libraries, funding for them are cut consistently by the state legislature. Large amounts of money to fund public libraries are made by private donors who have the wealth and desire to see a public library being used