Da Studies

Recently I was encouraged to write something interesting about my studies, and so I shall. I think it's quite possible that people do not fully understand what it means to study Library Science as how could it possibly take 2 years to learn how to check some books out and learn the Library of Congress classification system for re-shelving. Oh Contrar.
As a recap of this first semester of studies, I thought I would list (YES LIST!) out my favorite topics, issues, policies and so forth from the last semester.
1. ALA Code of Ethics. Who knew that there is a published code of ethics that librarians must follow. With questions posed to my fellow students and myself such as, "Would you give a 12 year old girl who has noticeably been crying a book on suicide?" or "Would you assist a man of Middle Eastern decent locate bomb making skills on the internet?" and so forth. The answer is yes.
2. The reference desk. Much upcoming discussion surrounds the purpose and necessity of the reference desk being actually a physical desk located somewhere throughout the public or academic library. With the addition of email, text, chatting, facebook, blogs and phones, is it really even necessary to go to the library? Nearly 1/3 of all library personnel are currently reference librarians. This removal of the reference desk would surely change the face of the library facility.
3. Cataloging. Ok, in truth, I still don't fully understand the science behind cataloging. It's more than just learning what everything means as it's all very cryptic, MARC records, AACR2 and IR Systems. It's a fascinatingly organized method in which all sources of information are documented with its own record and then assigned a classification number. Librarians all over the world are continually checking the catalog (this does not refer to your personal library's catalog, but more the universal catalog) for updates, typos and reclassifications that are necessary.
4. Favorite assignments: I had two assignments called Question Sets. The first was based specifically on print reference resources and the second on electronic. Ok, so for my beloved readers, I will give you one of the questions I was assigned. If you can post back the answer in the comment section using only a print resource (that means a book!) then the prize will be yours ;)

I’m an American Civil War aficionado! Can you please tell me how many soldiers Grant had at the FIRST Battle of Vicksburg? Actually, I could use a good map of that battle… do any maps have the battles and number of soldiers together?