Fiction is shelved with other literature, primarily in the PS and PZ sections.  To locate a work by its author, use the catalog to retrieve the call number of the book desired. (Information on searching for books by using call numbers.)

Reference materials include dictionaries, encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, directories, handbooks, and a number of other publications that may be used to find answers to a wide variety of questions, from word definitions, statistics, or dates of historical events to general background information about a subject.  Most of the items in the Reference collection are located in their own section, within sight of the Circulation desk and just ahead of the circulating collection.  Reference materials are available on a large number of topics such as: philosophy, religion, history, science, sociology, medicine, biography, literature, mythology, government, and technology.  Some Reference titles consist of a single book; others have multiple volumes.  Although Reference materials are non-circulating, they are a very important part of the library collection.  Articles in Reference books may be photocopied as desired.

The library subscribes to 175 current periodicals (publications which consist of sequential issues produced under the same title, such as magazines, journals and newspapers).  Current-subscription magazines and journals are arranged alphabetically by title on the shelves around the walls of the Periodicals Reading Room.  The current issue of each title is located on the slanted outside shelf, which lifts up to provide access to back issues, most of which are kept for up to two years.  Issues from the earliest year are removed at the end of each year, although back issues of titles judged to be of special research value are retained for longer periods.

The library also subscribes to a selection of local, regional, and national newspapers, the most current of which are located on a rotating stand just outside the Old Tryon Room.  Back issues are stored for about two weeks on shelves nearby.  Periodicals and newspapers are not circulated; however, articles may be copied using the photocopier in the lobby.

The Isothermal Community College Library Periodicals Holdings list contains information regarding the periodicals to which the library currently subscribes, as well as the library's archival newspapers on microfilm.  A paper copy of the current Isothermal Community College Library Periodicals Holdings list, in a dark blue binder, is located on the index shelf to the left of the entrance area of the Periodicals Reading Room.  The same list is accessible in electronic format from the library home page.

Microfilm
The library's microfilm collection and a reader/printer system, which allows viewing and printing of microfilm, are located in the Old Tryon Room.  The microfilm collection includes older issues of the New York Times newspaper, local newspapers and other historical records. 

Upon entering the Old Tryon Room, the reader/printer is situated on the left beyond the microfilm cabinets.  A small diagram on the reel loader shows how to load the microfilm.  A computer program allows the user to move, magnify and print from the microfilm, among other functions.  An operation manual is located on the table nearby to assist in using the equipment. If you need further assistance using it, come to the Circulation desk; the staff will be happy to help.  There is no charge for making photocopies of microfilm.

Print Indexes
The Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature, a set of green hardbound and paperback volumes on the index shelves in the Periodicals Reading Room, is an index to articles in general-interest periodicals.  Back issues of other print indexes on specific subject areas are shelved nearby.  Most indexes contain a sample entry and an explanation of how the index is used at the beginning of each volume. 

Periodical Articles Available via NC LIVE
Articles from a large number of periodicals are indexed and/or available in full text via NC LIVE.  (Information on NC LIVE.)