No, there is an innate difference between a library and just a room full of books. You yourself could have a room full of books - I know I do - but that doesn't make that room a library. So, what does constitute a library? Organization.
How are libraries organized in a way that people can find the content that they need and/or want?
- Technique 1: Use of known call numbers. Many people understand that books are stored in libraries using call numbers.
- Technique 2: Trusting in "serendipitous" discovery. Many people understand that books are stored in libraries in a way that groups books together by subject allowing for discover of previously unknown titles.
- Technique 3: Use of catalog. Many people understand that a catalog is available for the search of a library's collection.
If you recall an experience when you walked into a library and found the exact paragraphs you needed for research, this designed environment helped you along the way. Likely, you:
- Found front door
- Located catalog and determined call numbers
- Followed signage to stacks
- Located books in stacks
- Used table of contents and/or book index to locate needed paragraphs in each book
This ability to walk into any professionally-managed library and locate/relocate specific information within a book collection can be referred to as the "Great Reduction Phenomenon." Such a complex activity as outlined above is reduced to a monotonous, run-of-the-mill event that once we know how to do it, and if it is implemented correctly with signage, stacks, indexes, and tables of contents, we don't think about the process.
Thanks to the networked profession of librarianship, there is a national network of librarians that share their work, and help standardize practices so we usually don't have to think about this process when going to a library for research or leisure. And for that, we thank you.
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