LIBRARY DEPARTMENTSThe hierarchical structure of the main library consists of the Library administration overseeing the functions of four departments to ensure users with a high level of service. Below is an outline of the responsibilities and duties of the administration and the four respective departments: 1- Library Administration (Second floor " A") Responsible for the over-all operations of the library:
2- Collection Development (Ground Floor ) The Collection Development department consists of acquisitions and periodicals. The primary responsibilities include ordering books, periodicals and other materials in order to develop the library’s collections. The collections comprise of materials in the five languages presently approved for materials housed in the BZU main library: Arabic, English, French, German, and Hebrew. Acquisitions Acquisitions acquire books and monographic publications for BZU Library. These include titles which are purchased as well as gifts. The Department works closely with academic departments, librarians, potential donors, and others to build the libraries' collections in support of the teaching, research, and service missions of the university. The Acquisitions Librarian also oversees the entire library materials budget during the year. Periodicals The periodical staff will help patrons locate magazines, journals, newspapers and give assistance in using the Articles and other online electronic databases.
3- Cataloging Cataloging : The Cataloging unit is divided into Arabic and English divisions. The function is to identify the accurate author, title, and physical characteristics of the material and assign subject headings (to reveal what the item is about). The purpose of cataloging is to provide the user with multiple access points to materials (most notably author, title, subject). But a complete cataloged item also allows the patron to evaluate the usefulness of the item, i.e., is it current; is it published by a respectable and reliable publisher; does the item contain a bibliography that will lead to other relevant sources? Classification provides the material with a unique call number that correlates to the subject heading. This call number is used to locate the material. The collections are cataloged and classified according to the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR2) and Library of Congress classification system. Special Collections: The mission of the Special Collections unit of the Birzeit University Main Library is to provide research access to unique collections. These collections include materials that, because of rarity, source, condition, or form, are best handled separately from the regular collection. Access to the materials is provided through the Minisis M2L application, and the label SPC precedes the call numbers. These materials do not circulate. The Special Collections room is located on the second floor of the Library, through the door near the administration. Working HOURS: The Special Collections unit is open from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday and Saturday. The Collections consist of the following:
4- Users' Services Department The Users’ Services Department is responsible for providing on-site reference and information services to both the University and local community library patrons through assisting and training them in finding needed information in both manual and electronic sources. In addition, the Department also provides services beyond the boundaries of the University to all patrons This department is also responsible for the circulation and accurate shelving of library materials. The circulation desk (located near the main entrance) is the service point at which books and other library materials are checked in and out of the library. library services:
a library workshops is given by dept. employee to semenar and research students to instruct them about the library and its services, specially electronic resources. |