Information Literacy Module 3 Information institutions
Library services
Text study material objective:
The aim of the textual support is to acquaint you with basic library services, so that you are able
to orient in them and use their advantages not only for your studies.
Basic terms:
loan services, ILS, IILS, DDS, DDD, EDD, Search services, Reprographic services, Reference services,
educational services, document, copy
Contents
1 Library services
1. 1 Loan services
1. 2 ILS and IILS
1. 4 Search services
1. 5 Reprographic services
1. 6 Reference (information) services
1. 7 Enabling access to electronic information sources
1. 8 Educational (and cultural) services
1. 9 New library services
2 Concrete steps to take when you want a document
2. 1 I want to borrow a document
2. 2 I want to make a copy
2. 3 I want information
Information Literacy Module 3 Information institutions
1 Library services
Libraries provide their services in order to satisfy the information needs of their users - readers.
1. 1 Loan services
A prerequisite of using loan services is registration in the given library (and acquisition of a
reader’s identification card) and getting acquainted with the library rules. Documents are
selected via a card or an electronic index, or from free-access books.
Loan services are either off-site (you can take the publication away from the library) or on-site
(you are only allowed to study the publication inside the library; you may copy it there).
Different types of documents have different loan periods (to be found in the library rules). You
may extend the loan period before it expires unless the book is required by another reader
(reservation). In case you exceed the load period (do not return the book in time), you will be
charged a payment for delay (fine).
The deadline for returning a document can be checked in the so-called reader account (an
overview of loans and requests, loan history, an option of loan extensions, reservations,
change of personal data etc.).
1. 2 ILS and IILS
ILS (interlibrary loan services) and IILS (international interlibrary loan services) are intended
for obtaining documents the given library does not own, either from another Czech or from a
foreign library. You will pay for these services in accordance with the library’s price list (see the
library rules). The other library lends the document or makes its copy based on an application
(sent via post, e-mail, online form). IILS are always charged.
1. 4 Search services
You may ask the library to search for certain documents in their internal and external sources
(this way you may obtain a list of literature on a given topic, both from Czech and foreign
sources).
1. 5 Reprographic services
They enable you to copy a document or its part in a copy machine or scanner.
1. 6 Reference (information) services
They include answers to queries related to the library (library services, registration, index
search, loan service, reservation etc.), information about available sources and their use,
bibliographic and factual information, help with problems connected with the search for
information. There is a service called Ask your library online where you can submit your query
via an electronic form.
Hint! When processing your query, it will help the library if you formulate
the query as accurately as possible, and add information as to what sources
you have already used to get an answer.
1. 7 Enabling access to electronic information sources
The library may enable access to the Internet, paid electronic versions of books and periodicals,
and specialized paid databases.
1. 8 Educational (and cultural) services
Libraries organize various kinds of events according to their area of expertise. Some libraries
even offer more specialized trainings (e.g. in the field of electronic sources or information
literacy).
1. 9 New library services
In order to increase interaction, readers may use the so-called web services 2.0 Among these
Information Literacy Module 3 Information institutions
services are e.g. blogs, social networks or user-oriented indexes.
2 Concrete steps to take when you want a document
2. 1 I want to borrow a document
Find the following information in the library index (electronic or card):
Does the library have the document in stock? Is it possible to borrow the document off-site or
only on-site? What is the location number of the document? (you will find the document
according to this number). As soon as you find this information, proceed as follows:
2. 1. 1 The document is present in the library - according to the instructions above, find out
whether you can borrow it off-site (away from the library) or only on-site (in which case you
may only read it inside the library, usually in the study room).
2. 1. 2 The document is lent out
If the required document is lent out, you may book (reserve) it electronically, directly in the
index.
2. 1. 3 The library does not own the document
You may take advantage of the interlibrary loan service or the international interlibrary loan
service.
2. 2 I want to make a copy
You may copy or scan the library’s materials for your own use (pursuant to the copyright law).
In case you do not know how to operate the copy machine or scanner, ask the library staff for
help.
You can either make a copy (in a copy machine) or apply for a copy via ILS; you can also make
an electronic copy (via a scanner or the DDS service - Document Delivery Services).
2. 3 I want information
2. 3. 1 Information on the library
Most information is found on the library’s website. Information on the library and its services
will be provided directly in the library, too - ask the reference services staff.
2. 3. 2 Other information
Ask the reference services staff for help; they will direct you on to your information target.
Summary
In this textual support you have got acquainted with basic library services and ways to get
library documents.