A recent assignment at one of the local high schools has prompted more then one student to ask, "Why can't I check out this reference book if I promise to bring it back first thing in the morning?"

In this particular situation the easy answer is, "because there are 30 other students who need to use the same resource so we need to make sure it is available to everyone during our hours of operation."

A more general answer would require an explanation of why some books are marked as reference and others are not. Reference books are labeled as such for multiple reasons. Often the more expensive or valuable books are marked as reference so as to make sure they don't get lost or damaged. Sometimes a resource with a topic of high interest is kept as in-house use only so that it is made available to as many people as possible.

For whatever the reason, don't be discouraged if the book you need is in the reference collection. You still have many options available to you. First, you can use the book here at the library and take notes from it. Second, we have 2 photocopiers you may use to make copies so that you can take the information outside of the library. Don't forget it is $.10 a page to photocopy here. Third, many times there are older editions of the same resource that are made circulating. So if the information you need is the same in an older edition you can take the resource home. Fourth, some of the information found in our reference collection can also be found electronically in our databases which you can access here in the library or from home with the last 5-digits of your library card.

Finally, don't forget...when in doubt or in cases of information emergency always dial 4611 (589-4611 that is) or stop by the reference desk and speak with a librarian.