Locate Materials
Below is a description of the subjects found on each floor of the library. The Ames Library uses the Library of Congress Classification.
Lower Level, Call Number Range A – F
- General works – back editions of encyclopedias, almanacs, etc.
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Religion
- History (World and US)
Entry Level
- Current issues of journals and magazines (arranged alphabetically, by title)
- Current issues of print newspapers
- Browsing Collection (best sellers and popular leisure reading)
Floor 2, Call Number Range G– L
- Recreation / Theory of Sport
- Economics
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Law
- Education
- Geography & Maps
- Folklore
- Anthropology
Floor 3, Call Number Range M – P
- Music
- Fine Arts (visual arts – excluding photography)
- Architecture
- Decorative arts
- Linguistics
- Languages
- Literature (all)
Floor 4, Call Number Range Q– Z
- Astronomy
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Biology
- Zoology
- Anatomy and physiology
- Medicine
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Photography
- Military and naval science
- Books, book industry, library science, and bibliographies
For assistance locating material on a specific topic, please ask at the Library Services Desk, located on the entry level.
Scholarly Workstations
The Scholarly Workstations are computers with unique functions that relate to the physical collection surrounding them. There are four workstation clusters throughout the library, each with four computers, and a printer/scanner is nearby in the Service Center. Each computer runs application software for writing, creating presentations, or working on spreadsheets. In addition, these computers have subject specific software and resources pertaining to the disciplines in the area, integrating spatially the print with the electronic collection.
Self-directed researchers are encouraged to use the Scholarly Workstations for extended periods of time and to gather together all of the relevant print and electronic sources that are appropriate for the project at hand.
Novice researchers are encouraged to use computers located in the Information Commons so that they may interact with library faculty when assistance or direction is needed. Library Faculty are available to assist with search strategies, identification of the best materials, and evaluation of sources.
There are seven workstations clusters throughout the library: one on the lower level and two each on floors 2, 3, and 4. The subject specific software on the scholarly workstations correspond to the print collection around them, integrating the print and electronic collections.