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OBVU100 / 200, University Seminar / Transfer Seminar

This guide is designed to introduce new students to the services and collections of the Buena Vista University Library

How libraries differ

How Libraries Differ
Public Libraries	High School Library	Academic Libraries
Serves the whole community, all ages.	Serves the students and possibly staff of the high school	Serves the students of that institution as well as the faculty. May also be open to the public.
Varied collections include books, movies, magazines, electronic resources and may even include practical items like tools, puppets, cake pans, or seeds.	Books, magazines, and electronic resources. May also include equipment used in classrooms by request. All materials are chosen for young adults or children. As a result, selections may be subject to local or government censorship.	Varied collection of books, ebooks, print journals, e-journals, DVDs, streaming videos. Collections tend to be more focused on nonfiction material. The ideal of "academic freedom" means controversial material is more likely to be tolerated.
Depending on the size of community, staff may be one or two part-timers with some specialized training ranging up to a large staff of librarians with master's degrees.	Depending on state educational requirements, library staff may be a trained teacher with some specialized training or a masters degree.	Staff varies from student-workers up to librarians who have a masters degree in library and information science.
The public library exists to entertain and to inform its patrons. Public libraries offer a wide range of events and services to children, teens, adults and the elderly. Public libraries are good places to learn about community resources.	The high school library exists to entertain and to inform its patrons. Programming and events are rare. Staff may have responsibilities outside the library--teaching, study hall., etc.	The college library exists to support the curriculum of the college or university, but may also provide some entertainment to students. Librarians are trained to help students conduct research.