A Guide to Vertical Files, Book Structure, and Library Resources
Vertical Files
A vertical file is a system for storing and organizing printed materials such as brochures, press releases, magazines, photographs, drawings, maps, clippings, and other documents useful for research and educational activities. It’s called “vertical” because materials are filed upright.
Organizing a Vertical File
- Use a filing cabinet with multiple drawers.
- Utilize large desk drawers.
- Create custom folders from cardboard boxes (15″ x 24″).
- Use large cardboard folders for classroom materials.
Filing Steps
- Mark articles to be cut with colored pencils.
- Cut along the marked lines.
- Paste clippings onto sheets of paper or cardboard.
- Stamp the top left corner with the library or institution’s name.
- Record the publication name and date at the bottom.
- Group similar materials in folders.
- File alphabetically.
Book Structure
Key Roles in Book Creation
- Author: Creates the book’s content.
- Editor: Prepares the content for publication.
- Designer: Organizes the layout of the book.
- Printer: Produces the physical book.
- Distributor: Promotes and sells the book.
- Reader: The intended audience.
- Library: Stores and organizes books.
Physical Parts of a Book
- Leaves: Individual sheets of paper.
- Pages: One side of a leaf.
- Cover: Outer protective layer.
- Spine: Connects the covers.
- Title Page: First printed page with author and title.
- Copyright Page: Contains copyright information.
- Preface: Explains the book’s purpose.
- Introduction: Overview of the book’s content.
- Dedication: Author’s dedication to someone.
- Table of Contents: Lists chapters and sections.
- Glossary: Defines unfamiliar terms.
- Bibliography: Lists cited sources.
- Appendix: Supplementary material.
- Colophon: Information about the printing process.
- Errata: List of corrections.
Page Elements
- Margins: Blank space around the text.
- Lines: Rows of text.
- Paragraphs: Groups of related sentences.
- Indentation: Space at the beginning of a paragraph.
Types of Books
- Textbooks: Used for educational purposes.
- Specialized Books: Focus on specific subjects.
- Reference Books: Provide facts and information (e.g., dictionaries, atlases, encyclopedias).
Library Catalog Cards
Catalog cards are used to record information about books and other library resources. Different types of cards exist, including author cards, title cards, and subject cards.
Periodicals
Periodicals are publications released regularly, such as newspapers, magazines, and journals.
Types of Periodicals
- Newspapers: Daily publications.
- Magazines: Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly publications.
- Supplements: Additional sections of newspapers.
Research
Research involves gathering information on a specific topic. Steps include selecting a topic, designing the research, conducting the research, presenting the findings, and evaluating the results.