Opportunities Which Library Gives to Students and Researchers - Research Paper Example

The opportunity to become an intern at the _____________ Library gave me: an overview of what it entails to work there; experiences performing several tasks; and, occasionally meeting people. As I am studying to become an accountant, these experiences were different, but it had one indistinguishable element in common, I had to be disciplined, organized, and task focused. Since I am disciplined, hand in tasks on due dates and I am a detailed person this made my internship one that I have cherished. The main mission of the Library is to acquire, organize, preserve, secure, and maintain a complete record of the American history and the international history for the present and the future of the nation and the universe (ref). Furthermore, it functions either as a place to learn and exchange or as a place to access collections. The environment at the library contributes to learning a cataloguing system. It is not only a place where printed materials and electronic information (Nisonger, Study 2 (n.d.) are kept, but a place for students, researchers, and faculty may meet and collaborate working individually, forming working teams, and exchanging knowledge. To learn, students and researchers need all of the resources that the libraries have, such as: CDs, books, articles, and professional journals. More recently, the mission of the Library has been articulated “…as a place which makes its resources available and useful to the American people; it sustains and preserves a universal collection of knowledge and creativity for future generations.” (ref) As part of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Division, gave this intern the opportunity to learn the methodology of sorting and shelving the libraries’ items, which is not related to her Accounting major, nevertheless, it was a great experience to learn other unrelated areas. Sorting and shelving CDs allowed her to read many articles ((Nisonger, Study 5 (n.d.) that were on the Library classification system. Under this system, each periodic journal, book, videotape, and CDs are assigned a call number according to its main subject. The call numbers begin with the name of the library location information or department where the materials are; for example, Main Reading Room (MRR) followed by letters and numbers. There are times when materials may not be found because they were not shelved correctly or could not be found on the web page (Nisonger, Study17, (n.d.). Besides books, periodicals, CDs, and printed materials the Library hosts events and exhibits that are fascinating. I went to different events and exhibit tours, but the one that called my attention the most was my tour to the African and Middle East Division. During the tour, Mrs. Page, one of the librarians and I went across a South African cartoon newspaper section that describes the Monica Lewinsky scandal in a humorous manner. Monica Lewinsky´s scandal is a story of a sex offense between her as an intern (such as me) at the White House and the United States of America´s (USA), former President William Clinton. The cartoon is very well made and hilarious (Get it? Hilary.). In the cartoon, there is a jet with the form of a male organ transporting the Former President William Clinton from the USA to South Africa. Waiting for the airplane to land were African dancers. In Africa, the traditional dance represents their prayers and worship. It enriches their land with peace and pleasure. It helps Africans climb mountains of sorrow to stay alive in a troubled world of hate. The dancers are half dressed to show the movement of their bodies. During the dance the only parts of the body that are covered are the intimate ones. I was in cloud nine for a week. It made me dream of my village and the people I left behind. This cartoon and a conversation I held with a homeless man, approximately 60 years of age changed my understanding of the library and of the homeless people. The library is a key with which we find answers to questions overwhelming our minds. It helps build a habit of learning and growing. It is amazing the amount of collections present in the library and overwhelming the amount posted in a virtual format. Decades ago, this was inconceivable. To seek information from the virtual collections, to have virtual inter-library loans, and to be able to read the source that you are looking for online, never. This has changed the traditional library to a futuristic one (more elements will be added by the end of this century, I am sure). My view of the library has changed somewhat. It is a place with shelves, books, CD, and other printed materials (Nisonger, Study 5, n.d.). It is a key, with which I open the door of knowledge. It helps to answer most of the questions that are triggered in my mind. It is a shelter that houses the poorest people and it is a place of peace and pleasure. This makes me think of the wonderful man I met in the Main Reading Room. This man, about 60 years old, broke my heart when he was giving me his own view of the library. He said, “Library is like a job that farthest away from poor people 3 great evils: boredom, need, and vice”. He continued by saying, “When I am here, I see hope through the fresh roses which are in front of the library and success through the books”. He talked about historical issues that happened 500 years ago as if he had lived it. Given Nisonger´s (n.d.) studies, I was able to see first-hand what the library has to offer, what it is lacking, what solutions may be suggested to various problems it may incur, and how important it still remains to be. The library is a source of knowledge and a source of research. From the outside the building may be intimidating to people, however, once inside and you are over the intimidation, it is your house of knowledge satisfaction. I have had very little contact with the public since I work in an area where patrons are not allowed. Without having much contact with the public has driven me to explore the collections where I have been assigned to. I have found this to be an overwhelming experience. I saw several walks of life. Some of them seemed to be educated, some seemed not to be, and others seemed to be homeless. In general, they seemed to enjoy their stay there, each in his or her world of exploration, and seemingly satisfied with their visit. At the beginning I thought that a library was an ideal place, where things are very organized, this however, is not necessarily the case at all times. There are items (Nisonger, Study 3, n.d.); Nisonger, Study 4, n.d) that have not been maintained for years at the library and the users feel unsatisfied if what is being sought is not found. On an overall basis, I enjoyed my internship at the ______ library. It gave me another perspective of it. I did not feel as intimated as when I started. As with any institution or organization, the library has its pros and cons. The cons have to be worked on and the pros have room for improving. I commend ________ for having an internship of this nature and I hope that the student body takes advantage of it. My congratulations and appreciation to those that made my internship one of great value, are in place. REFERENCES Nisonger, T. E. (n.d.) A simulated electronic availability study of serial articles through a university library web page. Study2. Retrieved from paste web page Nisonger, T. E. (n.d.) A simulated electronic availability study of serial articles through a university library web page. Study4. Retrieved from paste web page Nisonger, T. E. (n.d.) A simulated electronic availability study of serial articles through a university library web page. Study5. Retrieved from paste web page Nisonger, T. E. (n.d.) A simulated electronic availability study of serial articles through a university library web page. Study17. Retrieved from paste web page Nisonger, T. E. (n.d.) A simulated electronic availability study of serial articles through a university library web page. Study23. Retrieved from paste web page Read More