Many libraries have an area where the magazines are shelved in alphabetical order. Some libraries mix the magazines with the books on the shelves. If you don't see a magazine area in your library, just ask a librarian to show you where the magazines are kept. Fiction books are often shelved alphabetically by the author's last name. Novels, short stories, poems and plays are examples of fiction.
Nonfiction books describe real things or real events.
The reference section is another important part of the library. It contains nonfiction books that can help you find out about a topic. The reference section includes books such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, Who's Who, atlases and maps. Reference books usually can't be checked out of the library. That way they are always there for people to use.