Circulation / Reference/ Reserves / Media Desk

First floor map showing location of Circulation / Reference/ Reserves/E-reserves / Media Desk 

The Architecture Studies Library has just one service desk, located near the entrance, staffed to assist you. The staff at this desk handle a variety of functions.

Functions of the Circulation / Reference / Reserves / Media Desk

• checkout books you wish to borrow
• checkin books you return
• retrieve and checkout reserve materials your instructor has requested be set aside for your use
• retrieve and checkout videos for use in the library (including video viewing equipment, should you wish to view videos in the study rooms
• assist with problems with the copier, microform equipment, or any other library equipment
• register you as a library patron and issue you a library card
• assist you in finding the material you need in the library or on the Internet – whether it is a specific title or information on a topic
• page books from the Lied Library or any of the CCSN libraries
• recall or place a hold on books checked out by someone else

  Policies relating to borrowing and obtaining materials are online.

Reference Section

Types of books in the Reference Section

• Encyclopedias
• Dictionaries
• Codes and standards
• Directories
• Sweet's manufacturer catalogs
• Bibliographies
• Style guides
• Atlases

Reference books are used in the library, except under special circumstances.

Do not confuse reference books with reserve books!! Reserve items are those your instructor has determined all the students in the class need to read or look at. They are kept behind the circulation desk, and circulate for the period of time your instructor has designated.

The Reference Section is located across from the Circulation Desk.

Additional information on reference tools

• Newspaper clippings
• Brochures
• Magazine issues or articles on a single topic
• Bibliographies
• Product Catalogs
• Associations’ information
• Building Types files
• Las Vegas and Nevada architecture and planning information

Use in the library only
Vertical file items are used in the library, except under special circumstances.

First floor map showing location of the Vertical Files

The Vertical Files items are kept in filing cabinets near the Reference Section. A table of contents list of the ASL vertical file list can be found at: http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/rsrce/resguide/vfile.html

Books on landscape architecture, building and construction, urban planning, and miscellaneous other topics are on the first floor. All the books start with call numbers A-L, P-Z (no Ns -- the Ns are on the second floor).

When the library has enough issues of a magazine to bind together, the issues are sent to the bindery. They return weeks later as "bound periodicals" and are shelved in a separate section on the first floor in call number order. Usually, since the Architecture Studies Library waits until between semesters or summer to send to the bindery, these issues are at least a year old. Magazines are variously referred to by librarians and others as periodicals, journals, and serials.

Bound Periodicals are located past the vertical files, across from the copier alcove.

How are Bound Periodicals arranged?

By call number.

The list of the periodicals we subscribe to is online.  You can also check the online catalog for individual titles. 

Recent magazines, not yet bound – usually those published in the last year.

Our current subscriptions are kept on display shelving in the northwest corner.

The most recent issue is on top, but the rest of the year's issues are on the shelf UNDER the display shelf. The display shelf lifts up (many students are surprised to learn this!!).

The titles are in alphabetical order by the title of the magazine (also called periodical, journal, serial).

The list of the periodicals we subscribe to is online. 

You can also check the online catalog for individual titles. 

Microforms may be either film (on reels, 16mm or 35 mm) or fiche (squares of film roughly 3"x5").

• Early twentieth century photographs of French architecture
• Furniture design from the 1600s to the early twentieth century, including pattern books
• Architectural projects of Las Vegas architects Zick and Sharp
• Historic American Building Survey
• Architecture books published before 1895
• Back issues of periodicals
• Additional titles on microform can be found in the online list of research collections in the Architecture Studies Library
• AIA Honors awards

The library has a microform reader/printer that handles both film and fiche. Copies are 10 cents per page.

The microforms reader/printer is past the water fountain, in the same alcove as the copier.

The public copier in the Architecture Studies Library is serviced by UNLV Reprographics. The copier accepts only a Rebel ID card [or a Guest copy card which may be purchased at the ASL service desk]. You must activate your Rebel ID for cash at the student union. Cash may be added to either type of card at the student union, dining commons, dormitory office or Lied Library.

Copies are 10 cents per page with the use of a UNLV Rebel ID Card or guest copy card

The copier is in the alcove past the water fountain, past the elevator. A sign hanging from the ceiling directs you to the copier!

Office Items

• Stapler (in front of the circulation desk, copier alcove, computer lab)
• 3-hole punch (in front of the circulation desk, computer lab)
• Pencil sharpener (copier alcove, computer lab)
• Paper cutter (copier alcove)
• Typewriter (First floor copier room area)

The area in front of the Circulation Desk has many computer workstations. All access the Libraries' databases – indexes and the online catalog.

CD-ROM reference materials and DVDs may be used by checking the CD-ROM or DVD out at the ASL service desk. For instance, Architectural Graphic Standards is available on CD as well as in book format in the Reference section (older editions, which are available for checkout, are in the books stacks).

Three computer stations with Adobe products (Photoshop, etc.) and the Macromedia MX suites are connected to a public scanner and as color laser printer.

The Head Librarian Caroline Smith, whose office is tucked away near the group study rooms, works an 8-5pm schedule. When she is in her office you are welcome to come in and ask questions, make comments or suggestions, or even complain!

The Library Supervisor Paulette Nelson, and Library Assistant Supervioser Jason Aubin, have offices located off the Circulation Desk, and are likewise available to answer questions, provide assistance and take comments.

There are two rooms available for group study, located in the southeast corner of the library. The circulation desk maintains a schedule of classes and meetings that have "booked" the rooms.

What's on 2nd floor? All books starting with call number of "N" Instruction/computers Special Collections

Architecture books (with call numbers starting NA) and interior design books (with call numbers starting NK) as well as all other books with call numbers starting with "N" are on the 2nd floor. See: Understanding call number classifications to determine subject areas which you may want to browse.The web page How to read a call number can help you locate a specific call number.

Second floor map showing location of the Instruction/computer room

There is a networked printer, and copies can be made for 2 cents per page. A Rebel Card is required for making copies. Guest print/copy cards may be purchased at the ASL Service Desk. All ASL stations give an option to print color for .25 cents per page. Color copies should be picked up at the ASL Service Desk.

The computer lab is also equipped with an instructor's station and ceiling mounted projection equipment, and may be used for teaching or presentations.

Second floor map showing location of ASL Special Collections/Las Vegas materials room

• aerial and planning maps back to the 1960s, topographic and quad maps
• materials documenting the architecture and landscape architecture of Las Vegas
• local planning materials

Additions to the local planning materials, and materials documenting the architecture and landscape architecture of Las Vegas are gratefully accepted! Please contact Caroline Smith: 895-4369.