Walking Tour of Kent Library

Welcome to Kent Library!  Kent Library is the library of Southeast Missouri State University.  This tour will introduce you to some of the key areas and services within the Library.  It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.  If you have questions as you take the tour, just ask for assistance at the Reference Desk or any other service desk.

This tour is arranged by floors.  Tour stops and key information about each stop are listed below. Most areas in the Library are marked with large signage.  As you take the tour, look up to locate large hanging signs and signs above doorways to guide you to the various tour areas. There are activity questions throughout the tour to help you become more familiar with the Library. 

►  This tour begins and ends at the Reference Desk, located on the third floor.

Third Floor

Reference Desk & Computer Lab Area

Group Study
  • Group study rooms area available on a first-come first-served basis (scheduled to open spring 2008)
  • Soft seating and tables for group and individual work are located throughout the 3rd floor.
  • There is a wireless network here and throughout the Library with laptops available for three-hour checkout at Circulation.
  • Food and drink are permitted here and throughout the Library.

Reference Collection  (large sign reads Reference)

  • Contains print subject & specialized encyclopedias, dictionaries, statistical sources, and more.  Good place to start a research project!  Ask an Information Services/Reference Librarian for suggestions.
  • Books are arranged by subject, using the Dewey Decimal System, and have an R (stands for Reference) in front of the call number.
  • These books may not be checked out.

►Activity #1   Find the reference book with the call number R 100 R765.  Write down the title.
 

Special Collections & Archives

  • This separate area contains cool old stuff about Southeast and the surrounding region.
  • Special Collections & Archives is open limited hours, so check availability in advance.

Quiet Reading Room  (glassed in room)

  • This area offers relaxing space for groups to gather and work and for individuals to engage in quiet study.
  • Food and drink are permitted here and throughout the Library.

Stay on the third floor and continue across the library, in front of the staircase and down the hall.
 

Instructional Materials Center (sign reads Roger F. Rhodes Center for Teaching & Learning)

  • The Instructional Materials Center houses the Library's collection of educational videos, current & classic feature films on DVD and video, textbooks, curriculum material and children's books.
  • Over 10,000 videos and DVDs - your on campus movie center and it's free!


►Activity #2  Go to the Browsing Bin for DVDs and Books on CD. Select a title that sounds interesting to you. Write down the name of that title.

 

Restrooms & Bulletin Boards

  • Restrooms are located along the back west wall on both the 3rd and 4th floor.
  • Bulletin Boards are available on the 3rd, & 4th floors for your use. They are located near the elevator.  Post any University-related activity information here.  No pre-approval needed! 

Continue the tour to the 4th floor via the main central staircase or the elevator, located in the small hallway underneath the main central staircase. 

Fourth Floor

General Book Collection (Stacks)

  • Often referred to as stacks, this collection is the circulating collection of the Library and is organized using the Dewey Decimal System. Oversize or large books, called Q's for quarto, are also shelved on this floor.
  • A popular paperback collection is also housed here for in-library reading or for check out.  Walk towards the orange carpeted seating area where these books are located and notice the variety of titles.


► Activity #3  At the top of the stairs on the pillar you will see a sign for the Dewey Decimal Schedule.  What number section in the 700s is dedicated to photography?

 

Government Documents  (sign reads Government Documents)

  • Print copies of United States and Missouri government materials are shelved in this area.
  • The Library is an official U.S. Government Document Depository.
  • Information Services/Reference Librarians can assist you in using this collection.


►Activity #4 In the Government Documents area, find the chart labeled "How to find a U.S. Government Publication."  Which agency in the federal government issues publications with the call number beginning with GA ?
 

Writing Center

  • Provides face-to-face writing support. Located in room 412.  Writing Center hours are different from regular Library hours.
     

Continue the tour down to the 2nd floor (Main Floor ) via the main central staircase across or you can use the elevator, located in the small hallway underneath the main central staircase. 

Main (second) Floor

Note!  The main floor of the library is the 2nd floor.  The ground floor, or basement, is the 1st floor.

Main Floor Corridor  (no sign)

  • Contains the Library Director's Office, library staff work space, public restrooms, telephones, and the original staircase to the 3rd floor.
  • The Rare Book Room houses the University's Faulkner collection and other historical or rare works.  You must have an appointment to use the room.
  • Little Theater (Room 215) is a computer classroom used mainly by librarians to teach information literacy classes. This is not an open lab.

Circulation & Reserves Desk  (no sign)

  • Check out, renew, return, & place holds on books.  Books circulate for 21 days.
  • Check out articles & books your professor has placed "on reserve" for your class.  Return "reserve items" to this desk & on time!  Fines on overdue reserve items can get expensive.
  • Interlibrary Loan is located here. This service obtains books & articles from other libraries for your use.
  • Pick up books obtained from other libraries via MOBIUS or Interlibrary Loan.
  • Check out headphones to use at computer workstations.
  • Library lost & found located here.
  • Check out laptops for use in the building.
  • Check out video cameras (coming in spring 2008).

Southeast Missouri Mural

  • Located on wall opposite the Circulation Desk in main entrance lobby area
  • Painted by Jake Wells, Southeast art professor
  • Depicts the heritage of Southeastern Missouri

Sadie's Place & Kent Coffee Cart  (no sign - look for loads of comfortable seating)

  • A comfortable place to gather with friends and classmates to work on projects.  Grab a snack, coffee, or a fruit drink at the Coffee Cart (hours of operation are posted). 
  • Checkers anyone?  Various board games are available for relaxation.  Look for them around the area and in boxes along the wall by the hanging newspapers.
  • There is a wireless network here and throughout the Library with laptops available for three-hour checkout at Circulation, or bring your own.
  • Several computers are also scattered throughout the area for use.
  • Two group study rooms are available on a first-come first-served basis.
  • Sip a drink, relax, and read today's newspaper or grab a current magazine or journal. Over 90 titles are displayed on the shelves and newspaper racks.
  • Best sellers!  This is the place to pick up a best seller for a relaxing read.
  • New books!  Recent additions to the collection are housed here for several weeks after their arrival for casual perusal.
     


►Activity #5   Go to the Best Sellers section. Select a title that sounds interesting to you. Write down the name of that title.
 

Indexes / Abstracts Area  (sign reads Indexes / Abstracts)

  • Indexes & abstracts help you find articles in periodicals.
  • "Periodical" is a library word meaning magazines, journals, and newspapers.
  • Use paper indexes & abstracts to find older articles and subject areas not covered by library subscription databases.  Not everything is online!

Periodicals Desk  (sign reads Periodicals)

  • The staff at this desk help you find periodicals and assist you with using photocopiers and other machines.
  • Current issues of some newspapers are kept at this desk, others are located in Sadie's Place.  Just ask for what you want!
  • You can check out & return general library books at this desk, in addition to the main circulation desk.

Current & Bound Periodicals  (signs read Current Periodicals and Bound Periodicals)

  • The most current print issue of a magazine or journal, usually the latest year or volume, are located in the current periodicals area.  Older years are "bound" together in a book-like manner and are called bound periodicals.
  • Periodicals are arranged alphabetically by title.
  • Periodicals do not leave the library.
  • Current issues of some frequently used titles are kept at the Periodicals Desk, while others are located in Sadie's Place.  Just ask for what you need!


►Activity #6   Browse through the Current Periodicals section (metal shelves near the Periodicals Desk).  Select a title that seems interesting to you that begins with the letter S.  Write down the name of the title.

 

►Activity #7   Locate the journal Farm Journal in the Bound Periodicals section.  What year was volume 107 published?

 

Microform Area & Copiers  (no signage - area is located near the Periodicals Desk)

  • "Microform" refers to microfilm and microfiche.  Many libraries, like ours, keep older periodicals on microfilm and microfiche. Some books, government documents, and education-related materials are also on microfiche or microfilm.
  • Machines, called microform scanners, let you read, save, and/or print from microfilm and microfiche.
  • Copies at photocopiers are $.10 with a copy card or University ID and $.15 when using cash. Printing from the microform scanners cost $.07 with a copy card or University ID.
  • Copy card & change machines located in this area let you get change, buy a copy card, or add money to your University ID.  The Periodicals Desk can make change for big bills.
  • Staff at the Periodicals Desk can help you locate and use materials & machines in this area.

Continue the tour to the down staircase underneath the main central staircase or to the elevator in the hallway.  It is not necessary to go downstairs to see the following items and locations, but you are welcome to.

First Floor (basement)  

  • Pepsi / soda vending machine
  • Southeast Textbook rental center
  • Computer classroom run by Computer Services
  • Several meeting rooms
  • Serves as the building's emergency shelter. 

Do you remember?

Summary Questions
(you're almost finished!)


►Activity #8  On which floor are computers available to use Microsoft Word?

 

►Activity #9  On which floor can you find the popular paperback collection?

 

►Activity #10   On which floor can you find the following book? 370.114 M7922

 

Complete the tour by returning to the Reference Desk on the 3rd floor using the main central staircase or the elevator. 

UI100 students - Bring your completed activity questions to the Reference Desk for grading and receive a dollar-off coupon good on any purchase at the Kent Coffee Cart (during fall & spring semesters only).

 

The End!
Thanks for visiting us.  Come back soon!

 

Kent Library, Information Services/ CR
updated December 2007
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