Public Services
Connecting Users with Information
Libraries provide resources and services. The number and types of services and the content and size of the collection depend on the community. Services usually come in two categories:
Public or user information services.
Technical services and systems management.
For users these two categories may seem like "people we see" and "people we don't see." With more remote services offered through the Web, the library may be completely virtual for your users, consisting of "people we talk with but don't see" or "people just a click away"!
For the community
Public services connect users to library resources and information. Each library offers a unique set of services for the community. Public libraries have been known to offer toys, tools, or art for circulation; to provide art exhibits, concerts, brunches, lunches, and travel programs; or to offer programs so tempting that TV addicts may kick the habit for an hour or two!
Libraries offer access to the world in the resources of local collections, through regional and state networks, and with world-wide resources available on the Internet. Services offered by your library reflect the needs of the community, and no two communities are the same.
We live to serve!
Services for users may be offered in the library, on the Internet, or throughout the community with special programs and events. Typical user services include the following:
Reference and Information Services (in-house or remote) -- helping users locate information for
school, business, research, or entertainment in the library's collection of materials,
online databases, or the Internet. 
Learn more about providing reference service with OLC's "Ohio Reference Excellence" training.
Children's, Young Adult, or Adult Services -- providing programs, events, or
training targeted at different groups of library users.
Web services for all ages: online book clubs, eBooks, virtual 24/7 reference, book recommendations,
blogs, webcasts, or homework help, and Web pages letting users know "what's new" at the library. 
Learn more about services marketed by Ohio libraries with OLC's "Marketing the Library" training.
Circulation -- checking out materials to users, keeping track of patron
records, handling fines, handling materials users have asked to be held for them.
What's New?
Some libraries now provide services for their users who are active in online communities using social software. Some examples are wireless, virtual reference, blogs, RSS, webcasts (Podcasts), or wikis (collaborative software). For basic services, the Public Library Association now identifies 13 library service priorities:
- Basic literacy
- Business and career information
- Commons environment for meetings
- Community referral
- Consumer information
- Cultural awareness
- Current topics and titles
- Formal learning support
- General information
- Government information
- Information literacy
- Lifelong learning
- Local history and genealogy
PLA, New Planning for Results: A Streamlined Approach, online course version.
For reference, ALA has created Guidelines for Implementing and Maintaining Virtual Reference Services, 2004, that define virtual reference as "reference service initiated electronically, often in real-time, where patrons employ computers or other Internet technology to communicate with reference staff, without being physically present. Communication channels used frequently in virtual reference include chat, videoconferencing, Voice over IP, co-browsing, e-mail, and instant messaging." Your library may also provide roving reference or other services that take advantage of laptops, PDAs, and WiFi (wireless) technology.
What's New in Ohio?
Libraries Connect Ohio is a collaborative effort of Ohio's library organizations. Ohio Web Library provides a list of available resources, background information, and a gateway to help Ohioans connect to the electronic resources via INFOhio, OhioLINK, OPLIN and the State Library of Ohio. Both sites link to a "for librarians" page which features a promotional toolkit of bookmarks, brochures, web logos and buttons, a news release template and more.
Virtual reference in Ohio:
KnowItNow "unites the information expertise of librarians, the comprehensive resources of Ohio's public libraries and advanced technology to meet your information needs whenever you need it, wherever you are. KnowItNow is a service of the State Library of Ohio and your local Ohio Public Library."
Need Homework Help? Visit HomeworkNow
Looking for a good book? Visit ReadThisNow
New technologies help libraries deliver services to the community when and where needed.
What Now?
Complete the Activity, try the Explore section, and then go on to the next page: Technical Services.
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