BUSINESS LIBRARIES
Business information cannot be discussed without including business libraries, a traditional “purveyor” of business information and still a locus for expert advice about this specialized area of research. Throughout this book, we refer to certain sources as “typically available in public and academic libraries.” This phrase is intended to highlight sources which the authors, both of whom are academic business librarians, know to be commonly available in business departments of public
libraries or in college and university libraries supporting degree programs in business. In the public library sector, there are only a very few entire libraries devoted exclusively to business. New York Public Library’s Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) is the preeminent
example. Throughout the rest of the United States, many large municipal or county library systems have a major reference department serving the business community. These are more likely than small neighborhood branches to own the most specialized sources. In any case, it is always worth calling a local branch to ask a librarian whether a specific resource may be available and, if not, what would be the best regional library for business information, or whether interlibrary borrowing is possible.
In some cases, the best local library will be an academic library serving students and faculty involved in learning and teaching business subjects. Within academic libraries, there are some distinctions. The most extensive collections are generally located in separate business libraries
serving universities with MBA and doctoral programs. An important caveat is that some are private and not open to the public, or even if they are open, some resources may be restricted to currently enrolled students and faculty only. College libraries serving even undergraduate
business programs will have many business reference resources, though again some may be restricted.
Another type of business library is known as the “special library.” Often called “information centers,” these are libraries that support the information needs of corporations, associations, or agencies. Because they are rarely open to the general public, they cannot be considered an
access point, but nonetheless they play an important role. Many of the sources named in this book, as well as additional sources, are likely to be available in the marketing collections of corporate libraries, or in information centers of advertising agencies. Furthermore, special librarians are likely to be the most knowledgeable specialists in the intricacies of business research and the hundreds of available databases. If you are an employee of a corporation with a well-staffed library or information center, do not overlook this valuable resource.
Business information cannot be discussed without including business libraries, a traditional “purveyor” of business information and still a locus for expert advice about this specialized area of research. Throughout this book, we refer to certain sources as “typically available in public and academic libraries.” This phrase is intended to highlight sources which the authors, both of whom are academic business librarians, know to be commonly available in business departments of public
libraries or in college and university libraries supporting degree programs in business. In the public library sector, there are only a very few entire libraries devoted exclusively to business. New York Public Library’s Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) is the preeminent
example. Throughout the rest of the United States, many large municipal or county library systems have a major reference department serving the business community. These are more likely than small neighborhood branches to own the most specialized sources. In any case, it is always worth calling a local branch to ask a librarian whether a specific resource may be available and, if not, what would be the best regional library for business information, or whether interlibrary borrowing is possible.
In some cases, the best local library will be an academic library serving students and faculty involved in learning and teaching business subjects. Within academic libraries, there are some distinctions. The most extensive collections are generally located in separate business libraries
serving universities with MBA and doctoral programs. An important caveat is that some are private and not open to the public, or even if they are open, some resources may be restricted to currently enrolled students and faculty only. College libraries serving even undergraduate
business programs will have many business reference resources, though again some may be restricted.
Another type of business library is known as the “special library.” Often called “information centers,” these are libraries that support the information needs of corporations, associations, or agencies. Because they are rarely open to the general public, they cannot be considered an
access point, but nonetheless they play an important role. Many of the sources named in this book, as well as additional sources, are likely to be available in the marketing collections of corporate libraries, or in information centers of advertising agencies. Furthermore, special librarians are likely to be the most knowledgeable specialists in the intricacies of business research and the hundreds of available databases. If you are an employee of a corporation with a well-staffed library or information center, do not overlook this valuable resource.
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