Library Tips For Magic Practitioners
As a Missouri librarian, I've gotten to know my library district pretty well. So here are some tips for you!
Tip 1: Dewey is your friend.
And by that I mean the Dewey Decimal System (a more in-depth list is in that link) is your friend. It breaks down as follows:
000: General Knowledge (encyclopedias, newspapers, almanacs, etc)
100: Psychology & Philosophy (feelings, logic, friendships, etc)
200: Religions & Mythology (Bible stories, Native American myths, classical mythology, etc)
300: Social Sciences & Folklore (families, career, money, government, etc)
400: Languages (English, Spanish, American Sign Language, grammar, etc)
500: Math & Science (arithmetic, animals, rocks, plants, fossils, etc)
600: Medicine & Technology (inventions, machines, farming, health, etc)
700: Arts & Recreation (crafts, painting, music, games, sports, etc)
800: Literature (poetry, plays, novels from other countries, etc)
900: Geography & History (countries, biographies, etc)
If you're looking for ghosts, divination, and witchcraft specifically, look around 133. That's where I've found most of my magic-based books to borrow. You'll also find books talking about people's near-death experiences or reincarnation around this point.
While fiction technically falls in the 800s, most libraries will have it separate from nonfiction. You may still find things like poems or memoirs in the nonfiction section. Some libraries will have the biographies separated into their own section. A few libraries (at least here in Missouri) will have state-specific sections where you can learn more about local stuff.
Tip 2: There are computers and printers to use.
If you can't research something at home for literally any reason, getting a library card will often grant you access to using the computers and printers in the library.
When using the printer, some libraries will charge based on how much ink you use, other libraries will charge based on how much paper you use, and other libraries will charge based on some other criteria.
Be aware that you lose access to these if you reach a certain level of overdue materials or money is charged to your library card until the materials are returned/paid for or the money is paid off. Luckily, librarians are here to help you and can tell you what's missing.
Tip 3: Libraries have more than books.
Seriously. The main branch of my library district has 3D printers, telescopes, gaming systems to use in-building, and more stuff that I didn't even pay attention to because I was scrambling to learn the behind-the-counter stuff. Feel free to ask us for something and we can see if it's in-county for ya!
Audiobooks are often available on CDs and in the form of Playaways, which are like MP3 players with a single book on them. You will need a wire-connected set of earbuds or a wire-connected headset and batteries. Some libraries sell earbuds, but not batteries.
Large Print books will often have their own special designation as LP, but more often they have their own shelf sections. You'll find a surprising number of Westerns there, but there are Large Print nonfiction books.
Tip 4: Requesting materials.
Not finding something you're looking for? Ask the front desk for help! In Missouri, we have the Missouri Evergreen system, which means we can borrow books from all over the state* on the topic you're looking for.
If we can't find it (or you're in a library that doesn't have such a monumental reach), then you can often fill out a book request form. We will then do our best to order the book for you - but be aware that it could take many months, and most of the time, people will cancel their order of the book well before our budget catches up or we even have time to get the book processed and integrated into the system. Patience is key when ordering a new book.
*At participating branches - not every library district in our state is part of Missouri Evergreen.
Tip 5: Self-checkout is a thing.
At least, it is here in Missouri. If you don't want to interact with the front desk, there are often self-checkout stations for books, DVDs, audiobooks, et cetera. Even my middle-of-nowhere branch has one!
Unfortunately, this won't work for other things, like updating your card once it expires or resolving monetary charges (which will both send you to the front desk).
Tip 6: Search the new shelves.
Some libraries like mine will have specially-designated "New Shelves", where you can find a lot of the most recent releases. If you're trying to find something in a particular number that you saw on the search but can't find it, it may be on the new shelf. These get cycled out whenever new books come in, which may mean that you have several months' worth of new releases to dig through.
In short, I hope this helps you in your search through the library! Best of luck to you!
