Lesson 1: About the AVC Library

Before you begin your research in the AVC Library, you need to know something about how the library works.  

The Antelope Valley College Library is what is known as an academic library. 

 A community college academic library is designed to fulfill the needs of the institution to which it is attached.   Therefore, unlike a public library that may carry books on almost any subject, a community college academic library only buys those books that support the college curriculum.  

If the college does not teach a certain subject, you may not find any books on that topic in the library. 

Organization of the Library

The Antelope Valley College Library has two floors. 

On the first floor you will find:

• Circulation Services:

  • Check out books and reserve materials
    
    
  • Request journals and magazines
    
    
  • Pick up interlibrary loans
    
    
  • Activate/update your Student ID card (your Student ID card is also your library card)
    
    
  • Pay fines

• References Services

• Librarians on duty to help students doing research
  
  
• Reference Book Collection
  
  
• Encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, specialized encyclopedias, literary criticism collections, periodical indexes (non-electronic), atlases, law books, globes.
  
  
• Reference materials may not be checked out.
  
  
• Catalog/Electronic Database Services
  
  
• Online Book Catalog, EBSCOhost, and other electronic periodical and statistical databases.

• Photocopy Machines
  
  
  • Photocopy machines (will take coins, bills and copy cards), copy card dispenser.
    
    
• Microfiche/Microfilm Reader Printers
  
  
  • Film and Fiche reader printers for making copies from microfiche and microfilm formats

• Pamphlet File
  
  
  • Pamphlets on a variety of academic subjects.
  
  
• Map File
  
  
• Topographic maps for Southern California and some other localities.
  
  
• Art Print File
  
  
  • Art prints that may be checked out.

• Circulating Books
  
  
  • Books on various academic subjects that may be checked out.
    
    
• Oversize Book Collection

• Large format books (art, music etc.) that may be checked out.
  
  
• Paperback Collection
  
  
• Popular fiction and non-fiction books in paperback format for recreational reading.
  
  
• Quest Collection
  
  
• This collection consists of books on various topics written in basic, simplified English  which may be checked out.
  
  
• Pamphlet File
  
  • The pamphlet file is a collection of short documents on various subjects useful for research papers. Pamphlets may be checked out.
    

• Group Study Rooms
  
  
  • Large (4-8 persons) and small (2-4 persons) rooms for study groups. Must be checked out at the Circulation Desk.  

• Honors Room
  
  
• Room set aside for use by students in the Honors Program.  Must be checked out at the Circulation Desk. 
  
  
• Faculty/Staff Reading Room
  
  
• Room reserved for the use of AVC faculty and staff only.
  
  
• Copy Room
  
  
• Photocopy machines (will take coins, bills and copy cards)

Library Staff

Many different kinds of employees work in a library and the AVC Library is no exception.  Contrary to popular belief, not everyone in a library is a librarian.   

The chart below will give you some kind of idea of the various staff members that contribute to the day to day functioning of the Library.

• Librarians

  • Librarians have a Bachelor's degree in a subject area and a Master of Library Science or Master of Library and Information Science degree.
    
    
  • Some librarians have a second Master's or additional coursework in a subject area as well.  
    
    
  • Librarians are members of the AVC Faculty and their classroom is the Library. 
    
    
  • As faculty, librarians may hold academic ranks such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor or Professor.
    
    
  • The primary focus of academic librarians is instruction and the development of instructional materials.  Librarians teach credit courses and workshops in the classroom, and teach the research process to students at the reference desk.
    
    
  • You will find librarians at the Reference Desk whenever the Library is open.

• Library Technicians

  • Library Technicians provide support for circulation services, acquisitions, interlibrary loans, book processing, and other routine duties.
    
    
• Library Assistants
  
  
  • Library Assistants provide support for periodical services, circulation services, interlibrary loans, and  among other duties.
    
    
• Student Assistants
  
  
  • AVC students perform many duties in the library including shelving and checking out books, updating library cards, providing technical assistance, processing materials and supplying clerical support.