|
|
|
| Home > Services and Collections > Reference Services | ||
|
Reference Desk Services
/
User Education / Study Guides
/ Collection Development
/ Government Documents
/ What are Reference Services?The Reference Department provides assistance to users in understanding what
information is available in our Library (and sometimes outside of it) and where
it can be accessed. The vision statement of the department states: Reference Desk ServicesIn order to provide assistance at the time our users are doing their
research, the Library provides reference help at our Reference Desk. Reference
librarians and staff will attempt to direct the user to the most appropriate
resources for their needs. Because of the pedagogical emphasis of our Library,
staff will most often instruct users on how to find the best information, rather
than merely attempting to provide direct answers. Inquiries which require more
in-depth exploration with an expert will often be referred to one of our Liaison
librarians, who have a more thorough understanding of the literature and
reference sources in those subjects. You may consult here
a
list of the areas of responsibility for each liaison librarian, as well as
their office phone numbers and e-mail addresses. User EducationThe Library's bibliographic program supports the teaching curriculum of the University. In order to help Trinity University students expand their bibliographic skills, and due to the increasing diversity of library resources and new information technologies, course-related instruction is offered to faculty who request it by liaison librarians on an ad hoc basis. Faculty are also encouraged to refer advanced students to these liaison librarians for individual consultations and other specialized research assistance. Information regarding bibliographic instruction to other groups should be directed to Barbara MacAlpine. Study GuidesThe liaison librarians have prepared a variety of subject guides to assist the user. Topics range from how to find a book, periodical article, or government document in the Library to how to find information resources from Business to Women's Studies. Look for these guides on the display racks facing the Reference Desk. Collection Development and ManagementAll public services librarians are assigned collection development responsibilities. You may consult a list of the areas of responsibility for each liaison librarian, a well as their office phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Librarians work closely with the Acquisitions Dept. staff who order and receive materials for the Library. Book request cards are available in the Acquisitions Dept. and at the Reference Desk. Recommendations for purchase should be sent to the appropriate liaison librarian. New journal subscriptions are added annually, but only after titles of comparable cost are cancelled. Gifts of books and other resources are always of interest to the Library. Questions about donating materials should be directed to Brenda Sheffield by phone or by e-mail. Questions about library collection development at Trinity should be directed to Diane Graves by phone or by e-mail.
Government DocumentsThe Library is a depository for U.S. Government documents. They are shelved in compact shelving on the 1st floor and arranged according to the official "SuDocs" classification. Our collections of Texas State documents and City of San Antonio documents are also shelved in this area. Use Quest, our online catalog, to find call numbers of government publications. Questions may be directed to the Reference Desk. In addition, useful lists of Internet sites may be located through our Government Information page. Other depository libraries in San Antonio include: Palo Alto College Library ................... 921-5087 San Antonio College Library ................. 733-2477 San Antonio Public Library ................. 207-2695 St. Mary's University Academic Library ..... 431-3508 St. Mary's University Law Library ........... 436-3436 University of Texas at San Antonio Library .. 458-4573 Special Collections and University ArchivesRare and expensive books, special collections, fragile materials, and other resources requiring a controlled environment are housed in Special Collections, located on Level 2 in the Library. In addition, the Trinity University Archives can be found here. Notable books are on display in a small exhibit area. A guide to Special Collections is available at the Reference Desk. Special Collections is on occasion closed during intersession, summer session, and holiday periods or for lectures/classes during the academic terms. Click here for hours of operation and phone numbers. Interlibrary LoanWhen a desired item, such as a journal article or book, has been discovered
by a Trinity user but found lacking in our collection, it may be requested
through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). This unit will locate a library or other source
which can supply either the original item or a photocopy of it. Due to the
significant costs in time to acquire these items, only current Trinity faculty,
staff, and students may request ILL service. Request forms may be picked up at
and turned in to the Reference Desk, or an
e-mail
form may be used. A more complete description of ILL policies and procedures
is available here. Reference Services StaffThe Library directory
contains contact
names for all librarians and staff in our department. Suggestions or Comments?Suggestions on possible improvements in reference services, or comments on particular problems or services that are especially useful, are welcome. You may send your comments to Christopher Nolan, Assistant University Librarian.
|
|
|
||||
|
|
Trinity University, Elizabeth Huth Coates Library One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212-7200 Phone (210) 999-8126 / Fax (210) 999-8182 Contact us and/or send us your feedback here. |
|
||
| http://lib.trinity.edu/servcols/ref/index.shtml | Last update Wednesday, 29 Sep 2004 |
