it's all Academic
Academic libraries are an important part of the educational experience for college students. Writing a paper or preparing a presentation usually requires information beyond your own knowledge, making a visit to the library--either in person or online--critical to your success. Librarians anticipate the kinds of information you will need by maintaining resources and collections designed specifically for the courses and programs at your college.
Academic library collections may include:
- Popular and scholarly books
- Specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other reference books
- Magazines, newspapers, and scholarly or academic journals
- Online research databases with full-text articles
- Reserve collections of textbooks and other course readings
Academic libraries vary greatly in their size and scope, depending on the students and faculty they serve. University libraries may maintain collections that include millions of books, archival information, and scholarly papers, just waiting for a researcher with an indepth research project to dig in. Some even have original manuscripts and collected papers from famous authors or public figures. By contrast, college libraries typically emphasize smaller collections that cover just the topics current students are likely to pursue.
In both cases, academic libraries emphasize teaching students how to find and use information, and you may visit the library with your classes. Your librarian is an important member of your research team, so don't hesitate to ask for help.