Dominique Burns e-Portfolio

Introduction

There are many different types of libraries and librarians. The library science profession is one that is constantly growing as the physical and virtual landscapes of libraries change. It is important for librarians to have the knowledge and skills that allow them to work in a multitude of different libraries. While the fundamental principles for all libraries are the same, the daily operations are not. There are four main library categories that all librarians should have familiarity with. The four categories are academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, and special libraries (American Library Association, 2016). 

​

Academic Libraries

Academic libraries “Serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty” (American Library Association, 2016).  Academic libraries may also be specific to a degree program, such as a law or medical school library. As of 2015 there are about 3,793 academic libraries in the United States (American Library Association, 2015). A great resource for learning more about academic libraries is the Association of College and Research Libraries website.

 

Mission & Clientele

According to Kane (2008) “The mission of an academic library is to support the curricula of the various educational tracks offered by the college or university and to meet the information and research needs of students and faculty” (p. 44).  Individual academic libraries usually have a mission statement that reflects their specific college, university or degree programs.

 

Funding, Staffing, & Governance

Academic libraries are primarily funded and staffed by the college or university that they are a part of. According to the American Library Association “Other possible monetary sources include research grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for service” (American Library Association, 2015). Wedgeworth (1993) writes, “Staffing patterns in most academic libraries depend on the size of the institution. The library can have from 25 to 200 workers, divided into professionals, staff, library assistants, and technicians” (p. 266).  Academic libraries are usually governed by a head librarian or director hired by the university.

 

Services

Academic libraries come in many different sizes and “Regardless of size or scope they typically offer resources in a wide range of formats. There will be materials in the traditional printed format, but there will also be electronic collections of books, journals, and databases accessible through computer on or off campus” (Kane, 2008, p. 44). Academic libraries often provide students and staff with materials related to the school’s degree programs.  For example a graduate school library may include journals or special collections (Rubin, 2010). Many academic libraries, such as the San Jose State University King Library offer virtual reference services for their students anywhere in the world as long as they know their student identification number.

 

Public Libraries

Public libraries “serve communities of all sizes and types. Wherever you live, there's bound to be a local public library nearby! As the name implies, public libraries serve the general public, from cradle to grave as more than one public librarian has been heard to say” (American Library Association, 2016). In the United States there are over 9,000 public libraries (American Library Association, 2015).  A great resource for learning more about public libraries is the Public Library Association’s website.

 

Mission & Clientele

Public libraries “Serve the information needs of the widest variety of population groups, including children, student, professionals, the elderly, and all groups in-between” (Kane, 2008, p. 43).  Mission statements for public libraries depend largely on their location and the community they serve.

 

Funding, Staffing, & Governance

Public libraries are funded through local government, federal, and state budgets. They often “Function as departments of municipal or local governments and may share common personnel, purchasing, or maintenance procedures” (Wedgeworth, 1993, 682). It is also common for public libraries to have advisory boards as part of their governance.  Public libraries are ran by a director who “Is responsible for implementing policy and administrating the library day to day, managing services, staff, collections, and facilities” (Wedgeworth, 1993, 682). Public libraries also depend on the help of volunteers for facilitating meet-ups and other local programs.

 

Services

Public libraries “Strive to provide an eclectic mix of materials for reading, listening, and viewing. Collections may include books, journals, newspapers, magazines, audio recordings, and video recordings” (Kane, 2008, p. 43). Their services also include events, programming, classes, and meet-ups. Public libraries provide services that are specific to the information needs of their communities. Public libraries often collaborate with school libraries as part of outreach services. Many public libraries offer electronic materials for patrons and virtual reference services that allow them to assist their patrons outside the physical walls of the library. In a 2015 report from the American Library Association they found that the most common services in public libraries included the following:

 

• (97.5%) public libraries offer free wireless Internet access

• Technology training is offered in nearly all (98.0%) public libraries, and nearly all offer education and learning programs

• (99.5%) and summer reading programs (98.4%).

• Almost 80% of libraries offer programs that aid patrons with job applications, interview skills, and résumé development.

• Three- fourths of libraries offer community, civic engagement, or e-government programs.

• Nearly all libraries offer patrons assistance in completing online government forms (American Library Association, 2015)

  

School Libraries

School libraries “Are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade 12. Many are called media centers, and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or a certificate in school media” (American Library Association, 2016). The United States has over 98,560 school libraries including public and private schools (American Library Association, 2015). A great resource for learning more about school libraries is the American Association of School Librarians.

 

Mission & Clientele

The mission of school libraries “Is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information; students are empowered to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information” (American Association of School Librarians, 2016). School libraries serve their internal community of students, staff, and parents.

 

Funding, Staffing, & Governance

School libraries primarily receive funding from the school they are a part of. They may also receive funding from outside sources such as fundraisers and grants. School libraries usually have a “Minimum of one full-time certified/licensed school librarian supported by qualified support staff sufficient for the school’s instructional programs, services, facilities, size, and numbers of teachers and students” (American Association of School Librarians, 2016). School administrators, a head librarian, and sometimes a board of directors govern this type of library.

 

Services

School librarians offer reading programs, events, and college preparedness classes for students. The primary focus of school libraries is to provide students with reading and digital literacy skills (American Library Association, 2015). School librarians often “Assume a leadership role in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom within the school by providing resources and services that create and sustain an atmosphere of free inquiry. School librarians work closely with teachers to integrate instructional activities in classroom units designed to equip students to locate, evaluate, and use a broad range of ideas effectively” (American Library Association, 2014).

​

Special Libraries

Special libraries “Offer unique opportunities to work in a specialized environment of interest, such as corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses, and the government. Special libraries can serve particular populations, such as the blind and physically handicapped, while others are dedicated to special collections, such as the Library of Congress or a presidential library” (American Library Association, 2016). There are 6, 966 special libraries in the United States (American Library Association, 2015). Here are some great websites from the American Library Association for learning more about special libraries.

 

American Association of Law Libraries

Art Libraries Society

Medical Library Association

Music Library Association

Special Libraries Association

 

Mission & Clientele

Special libraries “Are generally defined as libraries that serve a specific clientele but that do not support a teaching mission or academic degree programs. Special libraries include think tanks, ministries, and policy-making organizations; research institutes; museums; theater companies; religious organizations; women's centers; etc” (Project Muse, 2016). Special libraries are usually non-profit organizations that provide services specific to the organization they are a part of. 

 

Funding, Staffing, & Governance

Special libraries are funded, staffed, and governed by the organization that runs them. This type of library offers “Unique opportunities to work in places such as corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, law firms, advertising agencies, professional associations, private businesses, and the government” (Library Careers, n.d.). An example of a special library is the Disney Animation Research Library. This library works with Disney’s production and technology departments to archive past animations.

 

Here is an interview with Mary Ann Williams a Digital Archivist and Librarian at the Disney Animation Research Library:

http://www.ilovelibraries.org/article/disney-animation-research-library

 

Services

The services offered by special libraries cater to the organization they are a part of. Each special library is going to be different and unique. Special librarians often “Acquire and arrange an organization's information resources, which usually are limited to subjects of special interest to the organization. They can provide vital information services by preparing abstracts and indexes of current periodicals, organizing bibliographies, or analyzing background information and preparing reports on areas of particular interest” (Student Scholarships, n.d.). For more information on special libraries, visit the Library Careers website.

​

Evidence

The following evidence includes MLIS coursework that I have completed during my time at San Jose State University.

 

1. INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: Face-to-face Reference Services Discussion Post

2. INFO 266 Collection Management: Compare and Contrast Two Collection Development Policies

3. INFO 266 Collection Management: Community and Collection Evaluation

 

INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: Face-to-face Reference Services Discussion Post

 

Evidence:

• Face-to-face Reference Services Discussion Post

 

This discussion post required me to visit the reference desk at a public library to make an in-person inquiry for my face-to-face reference transaction assignment for INFO 210 Reference and Information Services. I recorded my observations and compared them to the RUSA guidelines for reference services. This assignment gave me insights into public library reference services.

 

INFO 266 Collection Management: Compare and Contrast Two Collection Development Policies

 

Evidence:

• Compare and Contrast Two Collection Development Policies

 

This assignment required me to compare and contrast two collection development policies. I compared and contrasted the Denver Public Library and The Kraemer Family Library.  The Denver Public Library is a public library and The Kraemer Family Library is an academic library. This assignment allowed me to learn the difference in policies between a public and academic library. I learned about the differences in their mission statements, clientele, staffing, and services.

 

INFO 266 Collection Management: Community and Collection Evaluation

 

Evidence:

• Community and Collection Evaluation

 

This assignment required me to evaluate a school library through research. I choose to research Prospect Ridge Academy’s school library. I researched the school’s demographics to better understand their clientele. I also evaluated the school library’s collection to learn more about the types of services they offer. This assignment gave me a stronger understanding of how school libraries operate. 

 

Conclusion

 

There are so many different types of libraries that exist, which is why it is important to understand the differences between academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, and special libraries. The evidence I provided above showcases my understanding of these different types of libraries. Through my coursework I have been able to better comprehend what librarians do in these different libraries and thus discover the type of library setting I would like to work in. I was also learned through these assignments that the possibilities for librarians are truly endless, as there are many different types of libraries and careers.

 

References

 

American Association of School Librarians. (2016). Outline of guidelines. from

    http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards/guidelines/outline

 

American Library Association. (2016). Types of libraries. Retrieved from      

    http://www.ala.org/educationcareers/careers/librarycareerssite/typesoflibraries

 

American Library Association. (2015). Library operating expenditures: A selected annotated biography. Retrieved     from

    http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet04

 

American Library Association. (2015). Number of libraries in the United States. Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/tools/libfactsheets/alalibraryfactsheet01

 

American Library Association. (2015). The State of America’s Libraries: A report from the American Library  

    Association. Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org.news/files/content/0415_StateAmLib_0.pdf

 

American Library Association. (2014). Access to resources and services in the school library media program.

    Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/accessresources

 

Kane, L. (2008). Careers and environments. In K. Haycock & B.E. Sheldon, The portable MLIS: Insights from  

    experts. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

 

Project Muse. (2015). Special libraries. Retrieved from

    https://muse.jhu.edu/about/order/special_libraries.html

 

Rubin, R. E. (2010). Foundations of library and information science. New York, NY: Neil-Schuman Publishers.

 

Student Scholarships. (n.d.). Librarians what they do. Retrieved from

    https://www.studentscholarships.org/salary/373/librarians.php

 

Wedgeworth, R. (1993). World encyclopedia of library and information science. Chicago, IL: American Library

    Association.

​

 

​