Some of the basic job assignments you will have while working in the Stacks include shelving books, shelf-reading, straightening books in the stacks, shifting the collection, and picking up books in the building to be reshelved. Lining up books and shelving will be practiced before you shelve on your own.

• Shelving books in their correct place is one of the most important jobs in the library. Careful shelving helps to ensure that the books are in order and in their proper place. A book that cannot be found in its expected place is no good to anyone.
• Straightening the shelves is neccessary for several reasons. Physcial care of books is a must for preservation. Books need to sit upright on the shelves. This prevents warping of the books. Straightening the shelves greatly enhances the appearance of the library and makes it easier to locate materials. We are the only employees responsible for this, so please straighten every section you shelve.
• Clearing the floors/book pick up involves walking around on specific floors in the library and picking up books left by copiers and on tables. The Stack Supervisor will assign book pick up on a daily basis.
• While the tasks above are your general duties, remember that helping patrons is still an important part of your job. If a patron asks you for assistance while you are in the stacks, help them to the best of your capability or direct them to the Public Services Desk for further assistance.

Government Documents are shelved on Reynolds 4 in the Government Documents Department. The Government Document call number is very different from the Library of Congress call number used on other books. The Government Document call number uses a system of colons, dashes, and spaces. The call numbers can look like this: NAS1.21: 474/v.2/Bk. 1 Government Documents include books, bound volumes, maps, pamphlets, and leaflets.

Reference Department books and Current Periodicals are shelved on Wilson 4. The Reference Department books are separate from the Main Stacks. Their call numbers are the same as books in the Main stacks, but indicated with an REF above the call numbers. Example: REF PN1993.5 A6 B55 2007.   They are shelved near the Reference Desk to help Librarians better answer Reference questions.

Current Periodicals can be taken to the reference desk for reshelving. They are in alphabetical order by title on the shelves.