The Recovering Librarian

Ever visit a library and get told you need to see someone at a different desk to get what you want done? At my branch it happens pretty often that people will walk in and go straight to the first desk they see (which happens to be the circulation desk) and start asking a bunch of questions or want to order items. To most people their knowledge of library areas seem to be pretty unknown, though as a worker it seems to be common sense.

Here are some common terms and their purpose:

Circulation Desk - the place a patron goes to check out items and pay fines. This includes picking up (and so checking out items they may have requested). In the outside world the word circulation means movement, so…

Reference Desk - where a patron goes to ask questions, express concern over a fine they disagree with, get directions, and it’s where you request items. In the outside world the definition of reference is a source of information.

AV - think about it. In the world outside the library, what does it stand for? Audio Visual, that’s correct. So, anything with a disc such as DVDs, CDs, and  audiobooks.