ORGANIZATION OF MATERIALS

The library's HARDCOVER AND PAPERBACK FICTION collections are organized alphabetically by the author's last name.

PAPERBACK FICTION collections are also organized by genre such as romance, western, mystery, etc.

HARDCOVER NONFICTION collections are organized by the Dewey Decimal Classification System.  

PAPERBACK NONFICTION collections are organized by the Paperback Subject Guide. 

COLLECTIONS

ADULT COLLECTIONS

The library's Adult Print collections are housed at the Thomas Library and the Hageman Library. The titles are separated into Hardcover Fiction and Nonfiction, and Paperback Fiction and Nonfiction collections. The library also has collections of Large Print and Oversized books shelved separately.

YOUNG ADULT COLLECTIONS

Special collections of titles recommended for young adult readers have been developed at both libraries and are shelved separately. 

CHILDREN'S COLLECTIONS

Both libraries also contain special collections for children in separate areas. Baby Talk books are selected for use with infants. Picture Book and Easy Reader collections are also available as well as the traditional Fiction and Nonfiction collections. You will also find many children's series shelved separately by series title.

The library also maintains collections of toys, magazines and resources for parents in the Children's areas.

REFERENCE COLLECTIONS

Reference materials are of such value and in such demand that they do not circulate to patrons and must be used in the library. Photocopiers are available. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, atlases, directories, handbooks and other pertinent materials are maintained in the reference areas.  

SERIALS COLLECTIONS

Newspapers and magazines are available at both libraries. The serials collections at the Thomas Library are in the Serials Department on the second floor of the building. Back issues of the magazines may be borrowed. The Thomas Library also has a collection of titles available on microfilm in the Serials Department, including the Chesterton Tribune.

AUDIO VISUAL COLLECTION

Videos, Audio Tapes, and Audio Compact Discs are available. The Audio Visual Department of the Thomas Library is on the second floor and also contains circulating DVD's and CD-Rom's. 

LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES

The Westchester Township History Museum, an educational service of Westchester Public Library, is the primary location for the library’s local history reference services and collections. In addition to a library of books and files relating to the area’s history, the museum maintains a collection of Westchester Township oral histories, historic photographs and maps, and special archives for the Prairie Club, The Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Duneland Historical Society. The museum also includes a permanent exhibit tracing the history of the township, as well as temporary displays on related topics and a museum store. The museum is housed in the historic 1885 Brown Mansion at 700 W. Porter Ave., Chesterton, IN and is open for tours and research Wednesday - Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m., or by appointment, (219) 983-9715, www.wpl.lib.in.us/museum, e-mail: museum@wpl.lib.in.us.

Thomas Library maintains a collection of Chesterton High School yearbooks, recent local city directories, and a few basic local history resources. The Chesterton Tribune, published in Chesterton since 1884, is available on microfilm in the Serials Department at Thomas Library. A partial subject index to the paper is also available in the department.

PDB
11/09

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