The Reference Desk faces the east end of the Delivery Hall, between the Reading Room and the Periodical Room. The function of the department is to give assistance to readers in their search for information or for books. Readers should apply here for aid in the use of the catalogue or for direction in finding the resources of the library upon any subject under investigation. The Reference Department has supervision over reference books, periodicals, maps, United States government documents, university archives and publications, and the “New Books” shelf.

Reading Room Collection.—Reference books are shelved in the Reading Room. Dictionaries, encyclopaedias, yearbooks, indexes, and bibliographies will be found in the two floor cases (A and B) directly back of the center desk. The collection of atlases will be found in the atlas case (C). Other works of reference, together with a collection of general literature, are arranged by subjects in the wall cases around the room. Those reclassified by the Library of Congress system begin with case 1 to the left as one enters, and the books arranged by the Rowell classification follow them. The Mary Lake collection of English and American literature occupies cases 112 to 116.

Periodicals.—The library receives approximately 8000 serials. The current numbers of 1200 of these are placed on the shelves around the Periodical Room and in the adjoining stack. These periodicals are grouped by subjects. The general magazines are in cases 1 to 4, art journals in case 5, etc. A directory of the location of subjects will be found on the bulletin board. A collection of the 296 sets of bound periodicals most frequently called for is shelved in alphabetical order in the adjoining stack room or Annex, to which readers have free access.

Recent issues of newspapers are filed in the Annex. The General Library does not subscribe to California papers as they fall within the field of the Bancroft Library.

The general indexes to periodical literature, such as Poole’s Index, The Readers’ Guide, Magazine Subject Index, and the Book Review Digest are shelved in cases 77 to 79 at the right of the entrance to the Periodical Room. Instruction in the use of these will be given to any applicant at the Reference Desk.

Periodicals are not to be taken from the room. The rules governing their circulation and use will be found on page 30-36 of this handbook.

United States Government Publications.—The library is a depository for the publications of the United States government. The bound volumes are catalogued and shelved in the stack with other books on the same subject. Unbound publications are recorded at the Reference Desk and may be consulted by applying there.

Indexes to the United States documents, covering the period from the formation of the government to the present time, will be found in case 76, at the right of the entrance to the Periodical Room.

Maps.—The map collection is located in the Map Room (318). The United States topographic and coast and geodetic survey maps, a selection of the United States hydrographic maps and of those of the British general staff, together with the maps of the principal countries of the world, the states of the United States, and the counties of California make up the greater part of the collection. A card catalogue of all maps in the Map Room has been compiled and serves as a geographic index to the collection. To use this catalogue or to see maps apply to the Reference Department.

University Publications.—The library receives many publications of other universities. Catalogues, administrative reports, theses, department and student publications come unbound. These are recorded in the serial record and are filed alphabetically under the name of the university on the first floor of the stack. A collection of the latest catalogues of the larger American universities is kept at the Reference Desk.

New Books.—New books added to the library before going to their regular places in the stack are displayed on shelves back of the Reference Desk. These books are placed there on Monday and are on exhibition for one week. Readers may reserve new books for home use by making out a “Home Use Slip” and filing it at the Reference Desk. Such books will be held at the Loan Desk for three days following the succeeding Monday.