GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
Study Session 3: An Overview of Library Services
Introduction
Libraries are places where information services are rendered to users. Catering to the needs of
users, in the context of libraries, ideally means provision of physical and bibliographic access to
information sources.
In this Study Session, you will learn about the purpose of a Library, all subdivisions of book,
Library system and services and basics of reference services.
Learning Outcomes for Study Session 3
On completion of this study session, you should be able to:
3.1 Discuss the purpose of a library
3.2 Explain the term ‘Book’
3.3 Explain library system and services
3.4 Highlight the different reference services as discussed in study session
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
3.1 Purpose of a Library
The library is the heart of any educational institution which enables the fulfilment of educational
objectives. Thus, the purpose of a library is to support the educational work of an institution. This
purpose is achieved in two ways:
a. By providing users with the means of finding whatever information they need
b. By encouraging them in the habit of using books both for information and pleasure.
Besides, if the library is to serve its purpose, it must be recognised as an essential part of the
school’s work while the teaching programme of the institution need to be planned so that the library
plays a central role. One of the primary missions of the library is to serve the research needs of
students, staff and scholars.
The library therefore has to stock books, audio-visual materials in numerous fields and sometimes
in several languages, serial publications also known as periodicals, for example newspapers,
magazines, journals, and computers as to be able to access compact disc (Read Only Memory).
Box 3.1: Purpose of a Library
The purpose of a library is to support the educational work of an institution i.e. the library is to
serve the research needs of students, staff and scholars.
Students need information to help them with the courses they learn in the university. The textbooks
they use, and the notes they take in class can be an excellent foundation. They may also be
sufficient for revision purposes, but they are not enough to enable students to write good essays of
their own and to carry out-group projects. Other sources such, as the library is required to help them
with their university studies and personal development.
What role does the library serve in helping student carry out researches?
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Since information is a universal need, knowing where to get it is crucial and knowing where to look
for it, is the key. Not knowing translate to lost time, effort and enthusiasm. Not having the
information you need when you need it leaves you wanting while not knowing where to look for
that information leaves you powerless. None of us can afford this knowing fully well that we are in
a modern society where information is global.
What effects does “not knowing where and how” to get information have on a student?
The various sources of information in the library are:
i. Textbooks
ii. Microfilms and microfiche
iii. Visual materials such as films, photographs, tapes, records, video discs, compact
discs, computer programmes
iv. Reference books such as dictionaries
v. Periodicals such as magazines, newspapers
vi. Monographs - this deal with a single topic in detail
vii. Treatises - they give an extended treatment of a subject, often written by several
experts under a general editor
Any person, place or thing that has the information you need is a potential resource to explore. As
information goes through different stages of its life, it changes form and some forms are more
useful or usable than others in answering particular types of problem. Information sources are
actually endless.
As noted by Horowitz, you are limited only by your imagination. It is important therefore to state
that the services provided to in a library will differ from one library to another, but there are still
certain services that are common to all libraries.
Pilot Question 3.1
1. In one sentence mention one of the primary missions of the library
2. List the various sources of information in the library
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
3.2 The Book
As a student/user of the Library, it is important that you know the parts of a typical book.
A book is divided into three major parts. The dust jacket and the covers that encloses these parts.
1. The preliminary pages
2. The main book
3. The subsidiary pages
Preliminary
Pages
BOOK
Subsidiary
Main Book
Pages
Figure 3.1: Subdivisions of a Book
a. The dust jacket:
It protects the book from dust. On the part of the jacket that bends inside the covers, you will find
notes about the book and the author.
b. The cover:
On the cover, you will see the name of the author and the title statement both on the spine. (i.e. the
central edge of the book).
3.2.1 The Preliminary pages:
These include all the pages before the main book such as:
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
a) The half–title page: - this contains only the brief title of the book.
b) Title page: - this is the page you should turn to for full bibliographical information
of the book. The following information is what you should expect on a title page.
a. The full title of the book
b. The author’s name. If there is no author, there should be a translator/
editor/complier.
c. The imprint i.e. place of publication, publisher, year of publication,
which usually corresponds to the copyright year.
c) The copyright page: - this is the back page of the title page. It is fuller than all the
other pages. Note that copyright means the reserved right to reproduce and sell the
book for a period of time that varies from one country to another.
d) Dedication: - this is a brief statement in which the author pays respect to those dear
to him.
e) Preface/Acknowledgement: - the author normally writes the preface. He gives
information as regards his purpose for writing the book, his method of developing
the book, the class of readers to whom the book is written and lastly, he
acknowledges help given to him by people he came in contact with during the course
of writing his book.
f) Forward: - one that is knowledgeable in the field the author has written writes the
forward. He writes to introduce both the book and the author.
g) Contents: - this contains a list of chapter headings and subheadings contained within
the main book, the headings of the preliminary and subsidiary sections and the pages
where they could be found.
h) Introduction: - introduction follows the contents page. It is general background
information to the subject of the book. It is always good to read the introduction
before reading the main book.
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
3.2.2 The main book:
This is the main body of the book. It contains: -
i. Illustrations
ii. Footnotes at the bottom of each page (note that this is optional)
iii. Marginal notes (annotations by the margins of the pages of the book)
3.2.3 The Subsidiary pages: -
This may include: -
i. Note i.e. a list of references made while writing
ii. Bibliography: - list of published materials cited in the book. It is usually
arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s surname.
iii. Appendix: - this contains some statistical data not included in the main book.
iv. Glossary: - this is an alphabetical list of uncommon terms used in the book. The
terms are not only listed, they are also defined.
v. Index: - an alphabetical list of names, subjects references e.tc at the end of a
book with page numbers of the place where they could be found. It is the easier
guide to what the book contains.
Differentiate between glossary and Index
Pilot Question 3.2
The subsidiary pages of a book have five items, state the items
3.3 Library System and Services
Libraries differ considerably in their general arrangements, so it pays to spend a few minutes
looking round before starting to search for materials you need. The circulation unit of the library is
the first point of contact with the user, thus, users are advised to always make enquiries from staff
at the circulation desk for any guide to the library and its stock. In university libraries, there may be
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subject guides relating to your field of interest. The staff will also tell you how to use the catalogues
and point out any special sectional catalogues that are available.
There are many ways of shelving materials in a library. Most libraries do this by using a
classification system designed to bring related materials together as close as possible, so that users
can browse through them. This most common system is the Library of Congress Classification
scheme.
However, some libraries have their own systems and others adapt the common ones to suit their
own collections. It is advisable therefore to ask for guidance on the system being used. The use of
catalogues is the best way of locating items in a library.
What is Library of Congress Classification scheme?
Pilot Question 3.3
What is the responsibility of the staff at the circulation desk to the Library user?
3.4 Reference Services
The provision of a reference service is an important function of a library. Library users have
different reference queries that need to be solved by librarians. With the advent of information
technology, reference service has been made easier as most of the reference queries can be
answered easily through surfing the Internet or by searching relevant CD-ROM databases.
Materials kept under the reference services/unit/section of the library are consulted only when one
wants some particular information. In summary, reference materials aid users in their pursuit for
quick, ready-made and factual information needs.
There are different reference services. These include:
i. Directional - This involves a reader asking for a specific location within the library.
ii. Ready, quick reference question – This is when a reader asks for a specific question
relating to the use of library material in the reference section. These questions are easily
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
answered by consulting a specific reference source such as dictionaries, encyclopaedias,
maps and atlases, handbooks and manuals, bibliographies, directories, periodicals,
government and official publications, year books and almanac.
iii. Research questions – This require a need for the reference librarian to provide
comprehensive reference source for the reader to provide literature review.
Search questions - When a reader needs background information or general information on a
particular theme or topic. Some library materials are meant only for reference. Such materials are
not read like textbooks; rather they are consulted only when one wants same particular information.
Reference materials are kept under the reference services/unit/section of the library. They aid users
in their pursuit for quick, ready-made and factual information needs.
Where is reference materials kept in the Library?
Pilot Question 3.4
What is the main function of a reference material?
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
Summary of Study Session 3
In Study Session 3, you have learned that:
1. The purpose of a library is to support the educational work of an institution i.e. the library is
to serve the research needs of students, staff and scholars.
2. A book is divided into three major parts which are the preliminary pages, the main book and
the subsidiary pages.
3. There are many ways of shelving materials in a library and most libraries do this by using a
classification system designed to bring related materials together as close as possible, so that
users can browse through them.
4. The provision of a reference service is an important function of a library and there are
different reference services
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
Pilot Answer 3.1
1. One of the primary missions of the library is to serve the research needs of students, staff
and scholars
2. The various sources of information in the library are:
i. Textbooks
ii. Microfilms and microfiche
iii. Visual materials such as films, photographs, tapes, records, videodiscs, compact
discs, computer programmes
iv. Reference books such as dictionaries
v. Periodicals such as magazines, newspapers
vi. Monographs - this deal with a single topic in detail
vii. Treatises - they give an extended treatment of a subject, often written by several
experts under a general editor
Pilot Answer 3.2
The subsidiary page items include: -
i. Note i.e. a list of references made while writing
ii. Bibliography: - list of published materials cited in the book. It is usually
arranged in alphabetical order by the author’s surname.
iii. Appendix: - this contains some statistical data not included in the main book.
iv. Glossary: - this is an alphabetical list of uncommon terms used in the book. The
terms are not only listed, they are also defined.
v. Index: - an alphabetical list of names, subjects references e.tc at the end of a
book with page numbers of the place where they could be found. It is the easier
guide to what the book contains.
Pilot Answer 3.3
Staff at the circulation desk can be asked for any guide to the library and its stock. The staff will
also tell you how to use the catalogues and point out any special sectional catalogues that are
available.
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
Pilot Answer 3.4
They aid users in their pursuit for quick, ready-made and factual information needs.
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 3
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its
Learning Outcomes by answering these questions.
1. Highlight the two ways by which the purpose of a library can be achieved.
2. The preliminary pages of a book have eight items, list the items.
3. Discuss three reference services a library can provide.
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Notes on SAQs for Study Session 3
1. The two ways by which the purpose of a library can be achieved.
a. By providing users with the means of finding whatever information they need
b. By encouraging them in the habit of using books both for information and pleasure.
2.
a) The half–title page: - this contains only the brief title of the book.
b) Title page: - this is the page you should turn to for full bibliographical information
of the book. The following information is what you should expect on a title page.
c) The full title of the book
d) The author’s name. If there is no author, there should be a translator/
editor/complier.
e) The imprint i.e. place of publication, publisher, year of publication, which usually
corresponds to the copyright year.
f) The copyright page: - this is the back page of the title page. It is fuller than all the
other pages. Note that copyright means the reserved right to reproduce and sell the
book for a period of time that varies from one country to another.
g) Dedication: - this is a brief statement in which the author pays respect to those dear
to him.
h) Preface/Acknowledgement: - the author normally writes the preface. He gives
information as regards his purpose for writing the book, his method of developing
the book, the class of readers to whom the book is written and lastly, he
acknowledges help given to him by people he came in contact with during the course
of writing his book.
i) Forward: - one that is knowledgeable in the field the author has written writes the
forward. He writes to introduce both the book and the author.
j) Contents: - this contains a list of chapter headings and subheadings contained within
the main book, the headings of the preliminary and subsidiary sections and the pages
where they could be found.
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GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT
k) Introduction: - introduction follows the contents page. It is general background
information to the subject of the book. It is always good to read the introduction
before reading the main book.
3.
i. Directional - This involves a reader asking for a specific location within the library.
ii. Ready, quick reference question – This is when a reader asks for a specific question
relating to the use of library material in the reference section. These questions are
easily answered by consulting a specific reference source such as dictionaries,
encyclopaedias, maps and atlases, handbooks and manuals, bibliographies,
directories, periodicals, government and official publications, yearbooks and
almanac.
iii. Research questions – This require a need for the reference librarian to provide
comprehensive reference source for the reader to provide literature review.
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