WELCOME TO THE CONFERENCE

HALL
For the purpose to present a few words and
learn more.

1
Topic /11/1396

MAKING USE OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

Objective: Students will be able to get familiar, in general, the whole library process, e.g. the

library catalog, location of various publications and different sections.

Material: Collection of books, magazines, newspapers, internet system, elder and

experienced Professors and scholars.

Method of work: A glance to various sources such as university libraries, Kabul University,

Kabul Education University, Shaikh Zayed University, Pamir University, Khost

Information and Culture Department, Gharghat Radio and Television Department

and so on.

Abstract:

 Membership card is necessary for those individuals using library.

 The main purpose of the academic library is to serve the needs of students in faculty
and institutions of higher education.
 Using any library will help students, teachers even all users who are keen on studying
at the library environment.
 Clients will be able to make use of any kind of library materials; how to enter the
library, using catalog card, get to know three kinds of approaches, and so on.

Preface: There are different sources for doing research one of which is a library. Library is
also called Resource Center or Media Center. Library is a collection of publications which
includes books, magazines, different approaches, sound system, and others informational
sections. These all can serve as a guide to a library.

2
Anyone, who likes to make use of library materials, has to get a membership card of the
library.

Before getting in the library, everyone has to put self material in the cupboard for their safety.

Figure: 1 cupboard

Figure 1: Cupboards for keeping self material

Turnstile is the only safe way while entering exiting the library.

Figure: 2: Entrance to a library

3
1. Library

A library is a collection of sources of information and similar resources for reference or

borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or
room. A library's collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films,
maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, e-books, audio books,
databases, and other formats. The first libraries consisted of archives of the earliest form of
writing. —the clay tablets in cuneiform script discovered in Sumer, some dating back to 2600
BC. Private or personal libraries made up of written books appeared in classical Greece in the
5th century BC. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libraryg

Glencoe (2007) has described that you can get the following in a library:

1. You might spot a video or a movie you've wanted to see.

2. You might find a book you'd like to read or a Web site where you can take notes about a

place you've always wanted to visit.

3. You can expect to make discoveries at a library. You can also expect most libraries to be

arranged in roughly the same way.

4. You can look to the image to learn more about what you can find at a library.

5. No two libraries are alike, but most of them share the similar resources.

4
1. 1. Types of library

There are seven types of libraries which can serve for those who meet the needs of a library.

LIBRARIES

Public Library School Library College & University Library

Research library Special library Private library Government library

1. Public libraries: which serve all members of the general public.

2. School libraries: which serve students through the high school level.

3. College and university libraries: which serve students of faculties in higher education.

4. Research libraries: which serve the needs of academic and advanced scholars.

5. Special libraries: which serve various organizations and industries.

6. Government libraries: which serve governmental departments and agencies.

7. Private library: which is used only by its owner or may be used be others acknowledging
the owner.

5
You can see just one side of different libraries.

Figure 4: A side of Shaikh Zayed University Library

6
Figure 4: A side of Kabul University Library

7
 Figure 6: A side of Pamir University Library

1. 2. Need of library

Libraries are important sources of knowledge. This is important because all research inevitably
involves making use of the books, pamphlets, periodicals and documentary materials in the

8
libraries. There is perhaps useful study in which to a varying degree some published materials
are not used. The books etc., however, provide necessary background material for the problem
under investigation.

These also provide preliminary orientation by providing information about the work already
done in the field. The books and other materials also help in eliminating the possibility of
unnecessary duplication of efforts.

1. 3. Use of library

Glencoe (2001) has said that library method helps considerably in the selection of subject
matter on the one hand and that of methodology on the other. Consider the following points.

1. In order to make this method really useful, it is essential that the researcher should pick up

only such libraries, which specialize in his field of study.

2. It will perhaps be better, if before starting for his work and selecting the library for his

work, the investigator should write to the libraries concerned to find if the matter is

available with them on the topic on which he proposes to work.

3. It is essential that the investigator should maintain good, happy and cordial relations with

the library staff.

4. This will enable him/her that they are always willing to help him in spotting material for

his research. (Alam, 2011)

2. Arranging materials and data collection

Menasche (2008) has expressed that if you have never written a research paper before, you
may be surprised at how much time you spend in the library finding relevant and useful
materials to get data collection. You will move many times between the catalog, the reference

9
areas, the indexes, the book stacks, the periodicals room, and possibly the microforms readers.
You will also have to consult the librarians a number of times. The process may seem
complicated at first, but all it takes to become familiar with a library is some practice. Follow
the steps:

1. Your instructor or a librarian may give you an orientation tour of the library, but after that
you should never hesitate to ask one of them for help.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. While the reference librarians will not choose a topic for
you, or determine which aspect of a topic you should explore.
3. They will help you to identify your interest and to select opening sets of terms.
4. If you are unsure about how to choose, narrow, and refine your topic; if you are not sure
where to begin or how to proceed; if you do not understand the organization of a source(e.g.,
catalog, abbreviations, ask a reference librarian.

3 . Librarian

Any library established anywhere has a particular owner.

10
 Figure: 6: Librarian at Shaikh Zayed University Library

That is a librarian who can be the most important resource of all. He or she can help you use
the library wisely by directing you to different resources, showing you how to use them, and
giving you advice when needed. You might want to prepare your questions for the librarian

ahead of time. Be sure to ask your questions clearly but quietly inside the library. That is
because other users should not be disturbed in the library.

A librarian says when you do research consider the following:

1. Research is a process of investigation, and examination of a subject from different points of
view.
2. Research is not just a trip to the library to pick up a stack of materials, or picking the first
five hits from a computer search.
3. Research is a hunt for the truth. It is getting to know a subject by reading up on it,
reflecting, playing with the ideas.
4. Research is choosing the areas that interest you and following up on them.

5. Research is the way you educate yourself. (Maimon, 2007: 246)

2. 2. Adult and Children's Section: Anyone who is interested in studying or getting

information can make use of the library. Young readers can find books written for them in a
separate area of the library. Sometimes reference materials for students are also shelved here,
along with periodicals and audiovisual materials.

11
 Figure 9: Adult Section ( A side of Pamir University Library)

In the children section, books, magazines and other humorous materials are available with
pictures and written in simple jokey language.

Figure 10: Children's Section

12
2. 3. Circulation section: At the circulation desk, you can use your library card to check out
materials you want to take home.

Direct Contact

Figure 10: Researcher and Librarian (Shaikh Zayed University)

13
 Figure 11: Researcher and Librarian (Kabul University)

‫دلته یو عکس شته‬

Figure: 8: Researcher and Librarian (Pamir University Library)

2.4. Sound Recordings

If you want to listen to music, a poetry reading, or a drama reading, try your library's collection
of audiotapes and compact discs (CDs). The library may have players for each of these sound
resources in the audio-visual section. You can check these recordings to listen and hear.

Figure 12: Sound System (Pamir University)

14
2. 5. Using a Library Catalog

How do you get the book you want in a library filled with many books? The library catalog is
the best place to start. Your library may have a computer catalog, a card catalog, or both. Either
catalog can tell you which books are available in the library.

15
 Figure 13: Library Catalog (Kabul University)

All important libraries publish author catalog of the material available in their collections,
because these are best sources of verifying the references. The catalogs are also useful for
locating publication, which might be useful for the research to consult. Since it is possible for
the researcher to know the material available in other libraries, such as the relevant material
can also be obtained on loan from other libraries as well.

3. Finding books

Figure 14: A side of Pamir University Library

In case you have located a book you want in the catalog, write down its call number. In the
stacks locate the shelf that holds books with numbers close to your call number. For example,
if your number is 573, first find the 500s section. Then look for the 573s. If several books have
the same call number, they will be shelved alphabetically by author.

When you think about a library's resources, you probably think of books. However, most
modern libraries offer much more than books. Some libraries are now called resource centers
or media centers to show that they include resources other -than books.

16
 Figure 15: System of finding books (Glencoe, 2001: 638)

3. 1. Encyclopedias

An encyclopedia is a set of books that contains articles on different topics. Various sets of
encyclopedias are written for different purposes.

i) Some sets of encyclopedias are written for elementary and secondary schools students.

ii) Some are written for college and university students and others are written for general use.

You have probably used encyclopedias for research papers and class projects.

i) These basic reference books may be contained in a single volume or in many volumes.

ii) General encyclopedias have articles on a wide variety of topics.

Some examples are countries, animals, note-worthy people, historical events, and scientific
ideas. Whatever you're looking for, you'll probably find something about it in an encyclopedia.
Consider the following:

1. An encyclopedia is a good place to start a research project or research paper.

2. An encyclopedia article will give you an overview of the topic. It may provide a list of

books for further research.

3. Most libraries have general and some specialized encyclopedias.

4. They provide more detailed information on a general and specific subject.

17
Articles in an encyclopedia are arranged alphabetically. To find out if an encyclopedia has
information on your topic, look up the topic in the index. The index may be contained in a
separate volume. The index will tell you the volume and page numbers on which the
information appears. Below is a sample encyclopedia picture and names of different types of
encyclopedias.

* Collier Encyclopedia * Encyclopedia Britannica

* Compton Encyclopedia * International Encyclopedia

* The Encyclopedia Americana * World Book Encyclopedia

* Encyclopedia of Social Sciences * Encyclopedia of Educational Research

Figure 16: Encyclopedia

3. 2. Atlases

An atlas is a collection of maps. Some atlases contain maps of all the countries in the world.
The Times Atlas of the World is an example of a large general atlas. Other atlases may focus
on one continent or one country. An atlas of the United States, for example, generally

18
includes one or more maps of each state. An atlas of Afghanistan may have maps of all or
some provinces.

Figure 17: Atlas (Kabul University Library)

1. The maps in an atlas show various land and water Areas Mountains, plateaus, oceans,

lakes, and rivers. These are called natural, or physical, features.

2. Maps also show cities, towns, roads, countries, and boundaries between places.

These are called cultural features because they are made by people.

3. Many atlases have special maps showing climate, population, natural resources, and other

special information.

3. 3. Almanacs

Who first ran a mile in less than four minutes? What's the population of Afghanistan? When is
the next eclipse of the sun? What is the world's highest mountain? Largest ocean? Longest
river? Deepest lake? Coldest place? The answers to these and thousands of other questions are
in an almanac.

1. An almanac is a book of up-to-date general information.

2. Almanacs are usually published once a year.

3. Almanacs contain the most recent information for the preceding year.

4. An almanac includes lists of important people, events and facts about governments, history,
geography, and weather.
19
5. It gives figures on population, industry, farm production, and much more.

Because an almanac presents a huge amount of information in very concise form, you can
locate a specific fact very quickly. To look up a specific fact, use the index. An almanac's
index is often placed at the front of the book rather than at the back.

Figure 18: Almanac

4. Using Cards Catalog

The card catalog, a cabinet of long, narrow drawers, holds cards describing each book in the
library. See the following:

 The cards are arranged in alphabetical order.

 The book's Dewey decimal number, or call number, is usually printed in the upper-left
corner of the card.
 This number also appears on the spine of the book.
 Most fiction books have two cards: an author card and a title card.
 Nonfiction books usually have three catalog cards: an author card, a title card, and a
subject card.

20
 Figure 20: Cards Catalog (Kabul University Library)

Each library has a card catalog, which lists all the publication in the library.

Cards Contain

author title subject year

Call number

Title Author City Publisher Year

RM

786 Nekmal, Saidkarimshah Khost, Mirwais Karwan (2011)

LC call
R45 Audio-Visual Material
number
2011 135 ps. 24 cm
Number of
pages RM786.R54 2011 Size of book

ISBN 0052968 Figure

14: An example of
a catalog card (title
card), Pamir University Library showing the

location and
type of information on the card.

Each periodical index provides information about the name of author, subject

and title of article.

4. 1. The Author Approach

21
4. 2. The Title Approach

22
4. 3. The Subject Approach

23
5. Reference section

Figure 21: Reference Materials

24
4. 6. Reference section

 Reference books are not issued to readers for consultation at home even out of the
library.
 The reference area holds dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, yearbooks and
other reference works.
 They are kept in the library so that everyone may have access to them because they
might be needed in urgent time.

Figure: Reference books

25
Conclusion

Any researcher intends to write an assignment, pamphlet, article or a research paper, has to
look for sources where he/she can reach to make use of related material. From today's
conference presented under the title; (Making Use of Library Materials), we learned the tips
below:

 Got familiar to library different sections.

 The need, methods, disciplines of a library.
 Finding books, periodicals and other publications.
 Finding a desired book; by Author, by Title, or by Subject.

Suggestions

Wishes are so many, but we are going to (Stretch our legs according to our blanket). I agree to
this proverb to some extent, but not thoroughly. Therefore, I would like to consider the
following, yet nothing is impossible if we try our best for the betterment.

 At least, SZU authority should try to provide such a building for library to include the
significant needs of the users.
 Particular sections should be specified and arranged separately.
 Library catalog system should be provided for simplicity for the users.
 Catalog cards should be prepared for all books.
 Internet access should be available, etc.


References

1. Betty, Mattix. (2003). Reasoning and Writing Well, Research Guide. USA: McGraw-

Hill Companies, Inc.

2. Christensen, L. B., Johnson, R. B., Turner, L. A. (2014). Research Methods, Design, and

Analysis (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

26
3. Glencoe.(2001). Writer's Choice Grammar and Composition. USA: McGraw-Hill

Companies, Inc.

4. Goor, Vanda Van, (2004) . Rules for Writers. United States of America: Bedford

Martin's Press.

5. Hacker, Diana. ( 2007). A Writer's Reference. USA, Boston: Bedford, Martin's Press.

6. Maimon, Elaine P., Peritz, Janice H. and Yancey, Kathleen Blake. (2007). A Writer's

Resource. McGraw-Hill Handbook. McGraw-Hill Education Press.

7. Margaret, Keenan and Cheryl, Pavlic. (2008). A Writing Process Book. Singapore:

Library of Congress.

8. Menache, Lionel. (2008). Writing a Research paper. United State of America: The

University of Michigan Press.

9. Picardi, C. A., & Masick, K. D. (2013). Research methods: Designing and conducting

Research with a Real-World Focus. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

10. Spatt, Brenda. (2010). Writing From Sources. New York: Bedford Martin's Press.

27
Any question?

28
29