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Content taken from Ohio Library Council's orientation website with permission.
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Connecting Users with Services
Libaries provide resources and services. The number and types of services and the content and size of the collection depend on the community. Services usually come in two categories: 1) public or user information services and 2) technical services and systems management.
For users these two categories may seem like "people we see" and "people we don't see." With more remote services offered through the Web, the library may be completely virtual for your users, consisting of "people we talk with but don't see" or "people just a click away"!
For the Community
Public services connect users to library resources and information. Each library offers a unique set of services for the community. Public libraries have been known to offer toys, tools, or art for circulation; to provide art exhibits, concerts, brunches, lunches, and travel programs; or to offer programs so tempting that TV addicts may kick the habit for an hour or two!
Libraries offer access to the world in the resources of local collections, through regional and state networks, and with world-wide resources available on the Internet. Services offered by your library reflect the needs of the community, and no two communities are the same.
We live to serve!
Services for users may be offered in the library, on the Internet, or throughout the community with special programs and events. Typical user services include the following:
- Reference and Information Services (in-house or remote) -- helping users locate information for school, business, research, or entertainment in the library's collection of materials, online databases, or the Internet.
- Children's, Young Adult, or Adult Services -- providing programs, events, or training targeted at different groups of library users.
- Web services for all ages -- online book clubs, eBooks, virtual 24/7 reference, book recommendations, blogs, webcasts, or homework help, and Web pages letting users know "what's new" at the library.
- Circulation -- checking out materials to users, keeping track of patron records, handling fines, handling materials users have asked to be held for them.
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ACTIVITY
Talk to your supervisor, look at the library organizational chart, check the library's web site, or lurk around the library to find which of these services the library offers:
- Reference or Information Services
- Adult Services
- Readers’ advisory (assisting users to find materials of interest)
- Children's Services
- Basic literacy and information literacy help
- Circulation of books, periodicals, cds, dvds, audio books
- Internet access, wireless access, and Web training
- Interactive web site or remote reference
- Library blogs or webcasts
- Training for special library databases
- Programs in other languages
- Homework help
- YA programs
- Assistance with genealogy or other special collections
- Services for seniors or home delivery
- eBooks, book recommendations on the Web, online book clubs
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