Project 1: Reference Observation

Tustin Library is a branch library that is located at 345 E. Main Street Tustin, CA. 92780. The hours are Monday - Thursday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday – 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Tustin Library is an average size library; it is a very friendly, quite, clean environment. There is a huge selection of books, and computers for people to use. The librarians, assistant librarians, and other staff are very helpful and friendly.
There are sections of shelves full of take-out books, reference books, and miscellaneous that is categorized by subjects which are: Audio books, Auto Biography, Career center, Children, Concept books, DVD’s, C.D’s, VHS’s, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Foreign Languages, Large Print, Oversized books, Parenting books, Picture books, Teens, Young Adults and more.
Tustin Library has a bookstore is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The bookstore welcomes tax-deductible donation of used books, CD’s, DVD’s and videos.
There is a relaxation reading center where patrons may sit and read magazines (200 different magazines), newspaper titles and books. There is a fireplace, couches, and chairs for patrons to relax and enjoy their reading.
The teen area is a new addition to the Tustin Library, it consists of graphic novels, homework support, and a meeting space for high school students.
The typical patrons at the library are ordinary people; they may be looking for books, textbooks, encyclopedias to read, study, and or personal pleasure. They may also use the internet access to look up research, do homework, read e-mail, play games, and more. There are also magazines’ and newspapers for patrons to read at the library.
There is no referenced area in the library because the patrons had walk back and forth to find reference books and check out books. Over a year ago the librarians decided to have the reference books on the shelves with the check out books. The reference books are labeled with a green sticker that says “Reference”.
Tustin Library does have online reference/resources on the Orange County Public Library website at http://www.ocpl.org/randr.asp. The reference/resources are in 3 categories which are books, research, and local information. In the research category there are World Book Encyclopedia, Mergent Online, California Libraries Catalog, Full Text General, Business and Health Magazines-EbscoHost, Greenwood Daily Life Online/World Cultures Today, Newspaper Articles-Newsbank, Literature Resources-Literature Resource Center, Proquest/LA Times, Reference USA, and California Statistics-Rand.
The reference services are mainly textbooks and encyclopedias, magazines, and newspapers; reference books remain in the library at all times. The business/financial references are Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Investor’s Business Daily, OC Business Journal, Business Week, Consumer Reports, Economist, Fast Company, Forbes, Fortune, Home Business, Kiplinger's, Small Business Opportunities, Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities, ValueLine, and, Morningstar 500 Funds.
Tustin Library workshops consist of children, teens, and adults programs.
The children’s program provides an environment for children for all ages and their parents. The program includes story times for preschool children, evening PJ Story times presented by the Tustin Tellers, the annual Summer Reading Celebration with a "Read Aloud/Read Along" component for pre-readers, and other book-related programs throughout the year. Now they are offering a monthly crafty kids story hour for children ages 6-10.
The Teen program consists of a variety of interest; there are art programs, game nights and S.A.T. practice tests. During the school year teens meet for a weekly Animanga Club and a bi-weekly Teen Writer's Club. Teens can contribute to the Tustin Library by serving on the Teen Advisory Board, being Homework Helpers to children, or by general volunteering. They also offer a summer reading program. Teen Services aims to educate, entertain, and encourage teens to make the library an important part of their lives.
Tustin Library has a book discussion club for adults which is every month. Members choose the books they will read and discuss. Topics-on-Demand workshops are offered periodically. The most recent was an Ikebana flower arranging workshop, accompanied by Japanese tea and treats. The Tustin Library staff responds to patron interests and requests.
Tustin Library online catalog system is on the Orange County Public Library website at http://orca.ocpl.org/uhtbin/cgisirsi/X/0/0/57/49?user_id=webserver . There is a quick search to look up books at Tustin Library.
In the internet section there is children internet access and unfiltered internet access, both have wi-fi. Patrons need a library card to access the internet and they may only use the internet for an hour a day. There are 8 computers for adults and 4 computers for children.
There is an information desk in the center of the Library, there are two librarian assistants who help patrons, work on the computer, and answer phones, put books away. When a patron would ask a librarian for help they would help them find the book by telling the patron what area the book is, showing them where the book is or let the patron use book index. The librarians would also answer the patron’s questions. There are also two librarians at the book check out.
Tustin Library has plenty of strengths, they have a bookstore, a relaxation area with a fireplace, and I have never seen a library with a fireplace. The librarians’ and staff are very friendly and they help patrons when they need help, they are approach patrons with help when the patron seems to be confused or lost. The library had a very comforting and friendly environment and I would go to this library again when I need to check out a book or do research.