Specialisation: public and academic libraries
Types of public libraries
· City libraries
· Church libraries
· School libraries and school media centres
· Music libraries
· Youth libraries
· Mobile libraries
· Patients’ libraries or hospital libraries
· Prisoners’ libraries or prison libraries
· Libraries for blind or visually impaired people
· Hotel libraries or even spa libraries
Types of academic libraries
The following types of libraries can be considered as academic libraries:
10 National libraries and state libraries
11 County and regional libraries
12 University libraries
13 Central specialist libraries
14 Research libraries
15 Parliamentary libraries, public service libraries and court libraries
16 Specialist libraries
Fields of activity
Specialists in Media and Information Services (“FAMI”) with specialisation in the field of library purchase books, newspapers as well as other kinds of media, which they systematically enter into the computer catalogue/system. Moreover they’re responsible for stock keeping.
They are also taking over tasks connected to the lending process, consult users of the library and acquire media and information for them. Besides that, they process claims, provide information by telephone or participate in exhibitions and events.
Furthermore they take on and check registrations of new users and issue library cards. They inform users, guide or help them. They also have intensive customer contact at take out counter: here they assist the users of the library by searching requested books. With the help of a circulation system they oversee the lending and returning of books. They also take reservations and renewals. If a book is not available within the library, they research the title in online catalogues and order it from a branch or other libraries. If a user overdraws the loan period, “FAMIs” take the occurred overdue fee when the user returns the book. They shelve returned media which they checked of whether they are in a good condition and separate out well thumbed or damaged media.
Differences
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Academic Libraries
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Public Libraries
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Provide books to professors, students and lecturers
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Provide the public with literature, thereby they contribute to general education and information supply
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Special study and research literature
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Novels, childrens and youth books, handicraft and cookery books, music CDs and DVDs
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Archive function (collecting and keeping)
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Separate and withdraw media too
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Predominantly non-lending collection
(for reference only)
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Predominantly lending collection
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Longer opening hours
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Shorter opening hours
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