The Stacks: A Guide to Using the Library

The first time I ever walked into the Durick Library, I was a freshman in high school and I had never seen so many books in one place. It was like a sea of literature, and it smelled as if someone had created a GaGa-esque perfume of old pages, pencil shavings, and must.

It was love at first whiff.

I have always been a lover of libraries- a book connoisseur of sorts. Libraries are comfortable and predictable. The Dewey Decimal System was my best friend. So, naturally, I was a little shocked to discover that the Durick Library, a place I had pledged allegiance to back in the ninth grade, did not use my beautiful, predictable Dewey Decimal System. Instead, the Library of Congress Classification System was the one I would have to use. (Woe is me!

In my experience, most freshmen like myself find the library intimidating and confusing. Fear not! Once you are able to recognize the organization of everything, it's actually really easy to use!

THE CIRCULATION DESK

If you go to the library to find a book but find yourself turning in circles with no idea where to begin looking, the simplest thing you can do is ask someone at the Circulation Desk (the first thing you see when you enter the library- there will almost always be smiling people) to help you. I was assigned workstudy in the library and have been working there for three weeks now, and I have yet to meet a belligerent or impatient Circ Desk worker. Just remember- we're there to make your life easier! We are very approachable and friendly. I can absolutely guarantee that if one of us can't answer your question for you, we will find someone who can. :)

CALL NUMBERS

The first thing anyone at the Circ Desk will ask you is (most likely) the "call number" of the item you are looking for. If you don't know it, don't panic! You can find it on any computer! Just go to smcvt.edu/library and search any item in the library. Once you have found the item you're searching for, click on the title. That will bring you to the item's information page. Scroll down until you see "call number." (Example: the call number for John Green's "An Abundance of Katherines" is PZ7.G8233) If you write it down on a piece of paper (which can be requested at the Circ Desk), any of the Circ Desk workers can tell you which floor your item can be found on.

*TIP: Basically, If the call number begins with an A or a B, it will be downstairs. If it begins with C through G, it will be on the main floor. If it begins with H through Z, it will be upstairs.

*SECOND TIP: Books with call numbers beginning with PZ are in the children's section in Siberia. They are located upstairs in a God-forsaken room in the farthest reaches of the library where nary a soul has set foot. If you do manage to find the cave of wonder that is the PZ section, you may as well stay there for it, much like Narnia, might not be as easy to find again.

*THIRD TIP: The Indiana Jones shelves downstairs move when you spin the handle. It's awesome. I feel super powerful every time I have to go down there. You can move, like, ten shelves at a time. Be careful, though! Some of the shelves are stationary. If you feel resistance, they're probably not going to move anymore. If you hear pained yells, you have probably squished your best friend between shelves.

MAPS! I FOUND MAPS!

This might be a better explanation of the library: http://www.smcvt.edu/Academics/Library/About-the-Library/Building.aspx This gives a (very) brief description of each floor and, if you click on the hyperlinked floor plans, it will give you a PDF map of the library by floor! Hallelujah!

Also, quick location reference: http://208.83.125.74/library/about/floorplans/byfloor.asp

STUDY AREAS

There are some awesome study cubbies and "lounge" spots located throughout the library. The first floor has some easy ones- computer desks, comfy chairs with tables, the whole kit and kaboodle. The second floor is fantastic. There is a beautiful room with many chairs and student's photography on the walls. Everyone else on campus calls it the Daily Room. I call it the Beethoven Room. (Hey, when there's a giant bust of Beethoven making sure I study, I feel pretty obligated to name a room after him!) Also on the upstairs floor are little tables for studying in groups or alone, and two "lofts" with not-so-secret staircases. (You just have to really, really want to find them.) The downstairs has an astounding number of little study-cubbies, both open and closed. The open ones are set up so there are four spaces for people to work, separated only by dividers. The closed ones are actual private rooms with doors- very popular at midterms, I presume.

HOW NOT TO SET OFF THE ALARM

Trust me, I know. My FIRST time in the library as a student here, I set off the alarm. (Orientation wasn't even over yet.) Most items can be taken out of the library, however, there are some that cannot. Magazines must be kept in the building, as well as reserved items and other special items. Reserve items are lent out for only a certain number of hours, so be sure you know how long you have!

So the library is pretty easy to use. The hardest part of it is figuring out which of the Circ Desk workers you should go to. (Me. Always me.) Most of the Circ Desk workers will smile at you when you enter the library (so don't be alarmed if you look up and we are all staring), and we really are there to help. Don't be afraid to ask for help with anything, and pleasant Durick travels!