The library I visited is called Victorville City Library and is the main library for the city of Victorville, California (about an hour and half away from Long Beach, where I currently live). This library caters to patrons of all ages, from young to elderly and especially students. Younger patrons seem to be looking for children’s books, and activity centers along with youth reading groups ( all available here).This library holds preschool story times, bilingual story times, along with afternoon story times and crafts for children. Older students seem to be looking for resources to help with their assignments, (such as reference materials, computer usage, books etc.) All of those resources are also available at this library. Adults can take weekend computer classes that are offered here, as well as beginning computer classes for Spanish speakers. Older patrons seem to be looking for a nice quiet place to do research and read books, newspapers and magazines. They can also take crocheting classes which are offered twice a month at this facility.
The reference area is a nice sized area, with enough seating capacity for at least 30 or more people. The layout is comfortable and “inviting,” not cold and unwelcoming. The reference services are all laid out before you with easy to read signs, there are computers to look up information, as well as reference desk librarians that can look up any info you may need in their system / catalogues etc. There is also a study area for students who need to study for their assignments, tests, etc. The online reference services are made through the San Bernardino county library, and include an online library catalogue in English and Spanish, along with branch information, library job openings, and help with internet searches. There is also a frequently asked questions section that offers everything from how to get a library card, to getting reference help.
The classes / workshops offered at this library are instruction in computer usage, in English and Spanish, as well as story times, with arts and crafts for children. They also offer crocheting classes for adults. The reference collection includes resources like, reference books, assistance with online databases, interlibrary loan requests, and printed lists of items not found in the catalogue such as, newspapers, school year books, telephone directories, college course catalogues, and local history sources.
The online catalogue system seemed pretty user friendly, and was located in several places throughout the library, (such as near the reference desk). The reference desk librarians were also on hand to provide assistance for using this system. The reference handouts that were available provide an array of material on how to choose and find collections, services, and electronic resources including the library catalog, and how to locate and format documentation from journal articles, among other topics.
The internet policy is limited to 90 minutes of computer use, with an extended time that can be given if there is not waiting list there did not seem to be any limitations on research access on the computers and I found it pretty easy to search for many different topics and areas of interest. Patrons also have access to printers if they need to print any materials.
Two of the most popular electronic / online resources are American History online and World Book online resources. These are most commonly used to assist school aged children with their studies and assignments. More frequently used resources are Science online and Amazing Animals of the World. These resources are targeted for younger audiences and are mostly used by elementary students.
The reference desk was very approachable and had clear to read signs around it. The reference librarian was happy to help me as I asked for her help on an unimportant topic. She assisted me in searching the library catalogue, and gave me some more information well.
I can honestly say that I do not have many complaints about the service given at this library. Things were run well, and signs were posted clearly and easy to read. I did have to wait a little longer than expected to be helped since there was only one person at the reference desk, but all in all I was still satisfied with my results. I would definitely visit this library again (if I had the time of course).
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