Types of Libraries and their functions, Introduction, 2.2 Genesis and Growth of Libraries, 2.3 Types of Libraries, 2.3.1 Academic Libraries, 2.3.2 Public Libraries, 2.3.3 Special Libraries, 2.3.4 Government Libraries, 2.3.5 National Libraries, 2.3.6 Other types of Libraries, 2.4 Types of Library Models, 2.4.1 Physical Library, 2.4.2 Electronic Library, 2.4.3 Digital Library, 2.4.4 Virtual Library, 2.4.5 Hybrid Library, 2.5 Functions of Different Types of Libraries, 2.5.1 Academic Libraries, 2.5.2 Public Libraries, 2.5.3 Special Libraries, 2.5.4 Government Libraries, 2.6 Some Illustrative Examples, 2.7 Types of Libraries in India, 2.8 Summary, 2.9 Answers to Self Check Exercises, 2.10 Keywords,

1. 21
UNIT 2 TYPES OF LIBRARIES AND THEIR
FUNCTIONS
Structure
2.0 LearningOutcomes
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Genesis and Growth ofLibraries
2.3 Types ofLibraries
2.3.1 Academic Libraries
2.3.2 Public Libraries
2.3.3 Special Libraries
2.3.4 Government Libraries
2.3.5 National Libraries
2.3.6 Other types of Libraries
2.4 Types ofLibraryModels
2.4.1 Physical Library
2.4.2 Electronic Library
2.4.3 Digital Library
2.4.4 Virtual Library
2.4.5 Hybrid Library
2.5 Functions ofDifferentTypes ofLibraries
2.5.1 Academic Libraries
2.5.2 Public Libraries
2.5.3 Special Libraries
2.5.4 Government Libraries
2.6 Some Illustrative Examples
2.7 Types ofLibraries in India
2.8 Summary
2.9 Answers to SelfCheck Exercises
2.10 Keywords
2.11 References and Further Reading
2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
This Unit givesanoverview oflibrarytypes and the functions librariesperformso that
libraryresources and services are easilyaccessible to the users for retrievaland use.
After reading this Unit, you willbe able to:
 describe the genesis and growth oflibraries;
 identifythefeatures ofthe different types oflibraries;
 describe theirdistinct functions;
 give illustrative examplesoflibraries;and
 discuss the different libraries inIndia.

2. 22
2.1 INTRODUCTION
In Unit 1ofthis Block, you havebeen exposed to generallevelunderstanding ofwhat
libraries are, why they are invaluable and important to the society, in particular to
institutions engaged ineducation, life-long learning, research, culture, recreation and
entertainment.
InthisUnit, we willdiscussthe originand growthofvarious types oflibraries and learn
about factorsthat have contributed to their growth and developments. Starting with a
discussionontypesoflibraries, followed bytypes oflibrarymodels,thisUnit introduces
you to theirfunctions, document resources that users need and theunique services that
libraries offer.
2.2 GENESIS AND GROWTH OF LIBRARIES
InUnit 1, a few important pointsabout libraries, having invaluableimplications to their
growthand development, were mentioned. These are:
i) Societalinstitutions constantlyundergo transformations as societies advance. In
this transformation process, new societal institutions get formed or the existing
ones get refined or expanded; and
ii) Libraries beingsocietalinstitutions and beingverymuchanintegralpart ofsocietal
growth and development they too get transformed or new off-shoots of them
appear.
InthisUnit, we shallbrieflystatethefactorsthatcausedthechanges inwesternsocieties
and to which changes allsocietalinstitutions had responded includinglibraries. These
are:
 Cultural, literaryand intellectualrevolution (Renaissance)and religious reforms
(Reformation)inthe15thand16thcenturieshadbrought aboutremarkablechanges
in societies inWesterncountries.
 Almost simultaneously, search for new knowledge throughresearch in science
and their applications to technologyhad resulted in a number of inventions and
discoveries.
 Synchronisingwiththisperiod,industrialrevolutionhadstartedwiththeintroduction
ofsteamengineinEngland that gavea tremendous spurt to industrialgrowthand
development.
 Colonialpowerswereabletoacquireenormousmaterialresourceswiththecolonial
occupations ofwesterncountries inAsia,Africaand America
Alltheseimportanthistoricaleventshadgivenriseto multitudeofnewideasandthoughts
in literature, politicalphilosophyand had contributed to improve economic and social
life. Withthe inventionofmovabletypeprinting, almost at the same periodoftime book
publishing started ina big way. Bookswere published in large numbers and circulated;
books became tools ofinformation disseminationand started disseminating new ideas
and thoughts among the intellectual classes. Slowly these new ideas and thoughts
percolated downto the ordinarypeople. These developments put togetherhad brought
aboutsignificantchangesinthelivesofthepeopleinwesternEuropeancountries.Societal
institutions respondedto these changes, madeadvancesintheir functionsand activities.
Libraries too responded;in order to meet the changing needs and expectations ofthe
societytheystarted making their facilitiesand services accessible to the peoples.
Libraries: Basics and Contexts

3. 23
2.3 TYPES OF LIBRARIES
2.3.1 Academic Libraries
Learning and educationtakingprecedenceover everythingelse, educationalinstitutions
started appearing first and libraries later. Schools, colleges and universitieswere set up
forsystematiclearningatalllevelsofeducation,followedbyinstitutionsofhighereducation
and research. The emerging scenario necessitated the creation ofacademiclibraries at
schools, colleges, universities, as wellasat professionaland researchinstitutions. The
academic libraries assumed the responsibility to provide access to the sources of
informationfromwhichteaching and learningcould develop.
2.3.2 Public Libraries
With large scale production of books, fast changing living conditions, widespread
education andlearning and increased levels ofliteracyhave hadcumulative impact on
the society. As a result, we saw the rise ofa reading public. The combined forces of
neo politicalthoughts, democratic aspirations ofpeople in social, literaryand cultural
fieldsledto the creationofawareness inpublic oftheneed to havefreereadingfacilities.
With the demand for libraries as a place for reading and borrowing books, a public
librarymovement had started, pursued mainlybyan intellectualcommunity.Apublic
librarysystemwith centraland branchlibraries was designed and developed through
the legislation rout and financed bygovernments. Public libraries, thus created were
distinct fromothertypes oflibraries havinga clear responsibilityandauthorityto serve
the public needs generallysupported bypublic funds.
2.3.3 Special Libraries
Rapid industrial developments catalysed by advances in scientific and technological
researchinthe post-industrialera, a number ofindustrialenterpriseswere established.
This created the demand for specialised literature for mass scale industrialproduction
of goods and services. Consequently business and commercial activities increased.
Thus, emerged the need for speciallibraries. Speciallibraries were intended to serve a
particular institutionthat has aspecific roleto playand theyweretherefore mainly“one
subject” libraries. For example, they could serve a hospital, or a law practice, or an
industrialcompany.Theyalso variedinsize,dependinginpartonthesizeoftheinstitution
theyserved. But manyofthese librarieswere runby“solos”, that is, librarians working
alone or maybe withonlyclericalassistance.
2.3.4 Government Libraries
Beginning fromthe twentieth century, the responsibilityofgovernments increased in
several areas ofnationalgrowth and development for the welfare ofthe people. This
againcreated the need for librarysupport for various types ofinformationto dealwith
the workofdifferent ministries anddepartmentsofgovernments. Naturallygovernment
ministries and departments organised libraries to meet their functional requirements,
distinctlydifferent fromother types oflibraries.
2.3.5 National Libraries
Allthese new developments led to the need for publication ofavarietyofdocuments,
reflecting theintellectual, scientific, literaryand culturalactivities ofacountry. These
noteworthyfeatureswere thecauses forthe creationofnationallibraries, particularlyin
western countries, symbolising their culture and literaryheritage to be preserved for
posterity.
Types of Libraries and
their Functions

4. 24
2.3.6 Other Types of Libraries
Averynotablefeature ofthe development oflibraries, beginning fromthemiddle ofthe
twentiethcentury, has beenthe activegrowthofscientific and technologicalliterature.
Most ofthenewknowledgearisingoutofresearcheffortswaspublishedthroughlearned
periodicals. This shifted the needs ofactive research workers and others associated
with them, to look for more and more articles and research papers appearing in the
periodicals and other documents which are different from books. New types of
institutions, branching offfromlibraries were created. These were knownbydifferent
names basedontheir activities andservices such as documentationcentres, document
deliverycentres, informationcentres, informationanalysiscentres, knowledge centres
and so on. Commercialinformation services, like informationbrokers andother types
of information business institutions also started coming up. We are, however, not
discussing these types of institutions in this Unit but merelymentioning themhere to
make you aware ofthese off-shoots oflibraries.
Table 2.1: Types of Libraries
Academic Public Special National Government
School State Industrial General Ministries
College District Business Agriculture Departments
University City Trade Medicine Others
Professional
Institution
Town Arts
Research
Institution
Village Music
Mobile Blind
Prison
2.4 TYPES OF LIBRARY MODELS
In Section2.3 ontypes oflibraries we have seenthat libraries differ mainlyinthe types
ofuserbase theyserve. Besides, we should note that libraries also differ inthe types of
publicationmedia ofresources intheir collections. For example, we have resources in
print, electronicand digitalmedia.Accordinglywe have libraries withdifferent types of
librarymodels such as physicallibrary(print media), electronic library, digitallibrary,
virtuallibraryand hybrid library.
2.4.1 Physical Library
A physicallibrary(aka traditionallibrary) is a viewed as a learning place that houses
collections ofbooks, periodicals, newspapers andother publications inprint media and
used for education, learning and awareness. Physical libraries exist in various sizes
ranging fromsingle-roomsize libraryto multi-rooms, multi-floors, or multi-floors and
multi-building libraries. Bulk ofthe librariesinthe librarylandscapeinIndia constitutes
smallsizephysicallibraries located largelyinvillages, towns and smallcities.
2.4.2 Electronic Library
Alibrarywhichcomprises collections of‘born-digital’electronic resources iscalled an
electronic library. As books evolvedinto the electronic world, libraries have emerged
aselectroniclibraries, digitallibrariesandvirtuallibraries. Theword‘electronic’connotes
‘electronicmedia’-suchasacomputerdisk, CD,DVD,magnetictape.Weuseelectronic
mediato storeinformationindigitalformat. Collections/resourcesthat are‘born-digital’
Libraries: Basics and Contexts

5. 25
are called electronic collections/resources. Born-digitalresources are items created
originallyindigitalformand not inprint form. We makedistinctionbetweenelectronic,
digitaland virtuallibraryin terms ofmode used to store collections in the electronic
media and the means by which technical services function. In an electronic library
collection, resources are onlyof‘born-digital’ electronic resources. Hence, the term
“electronic library” does not encompass resources such as digital versions of print
resources.
2.4.3 Digital Library
Collectionsthatarecreationofdigitalversionsofphysicalmaterialsthroughdigitisation
process are called digitalcollections. Ina digitallibrary, collectiondevelopment is not
primarilyconcernedwithbookselection, but ratherwiththe selectionofboth(i)physical
items to digitise, and(ii)selectionof‘born-digital’materialsinanynumber ofelectronic
formats. Thetermdigitallibraryismoreinclusive;it coversmixedcollections–collections
ofdigitised materialswhich have physicalcounterpart pluselectronic collections that
are ‘born-digital’–aswellas digitalservicessuchas digitisationandelectronic reference
service. Institutionalrepositoriesonthe internet are digitisedcollections ofinstitutions
and illustrate as examples ofdigitallibraries.
Themajordifference betweenphysicalandelectronic/digitallibraries isthat the “space”
in whichdigitalcollections are stored is virtualand not physicalspace as ina physical
library.
2.4.4 Virtual Library
The termvirtuallibrarywas initiallyusedinterchangeablywithdigitallibrary, but now it
isusedprimarilyforlibrariesthatarevirtualinothersenses(suchaslibrariesthataggregate
distributed content froma varietyofseparate digitaland electronic librariesina virtual
space using computers and computer networks). For example, subject gateways that
search remote locations for information. Virtuallibrary has no physical counterpart
such as CD, DVD and computer disk.
2.4.5 Hybrid Library
These days, most libraries are hybrid type libraries since the resource that theyhold in
their collectionsare in print as wellas inelectronic and digitalformat. Hybrid libraryis
also about creating a single user interface to access electronic resources and allother
resources in a varietyofformats.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the spacegiven below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the endofthis Unit.
1) Trace the originand growth ofthe different types oflibraries.
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2) Fillup the blanks inthe followingstatements withappropriate orphrases givenin
the brackets:
Types of Libraries and
their Functions

6. 26
a) Academic libraries attached to different educational institutions were
established at different levels for__________________ ( i)rapid spread of
education, ii) changesinsociety, iii) new systemsofpoliticalphilosophy).
b) Concepts ofdemocracy, increased literacy, reading public, production ofa
great variety of books in different subjects caused the
creation_____________________ ( i) school libraries, ii) government
libraries, iii)public libraries).
c) National libraries came to be established for_______________________
(i) preserving national heritage and culture, ii) to introduce a new political
philosophy, iii) to resolve socialconflicts).
d) Industrialrevolutionand consequent establishment ofindustrialenterprises
and trade activities brought about the necessityfor__________________
(i) speciallibraries (ii) college libraries(iii) schoollibraries).
e) Increased governmentalactivitiesindifferent areas ofgovernance resulted in
the establishment of______________________ ( i) government libraries,
ii) commercialinformationcentres, iii) document deliverycentres.)
3) MatchColumnAwithColumnB
Column A ColumnB
1) Academic libraries 1) Industrialdevelopment
2) Nationallibraries 2) Schoollibraries
3) Speciallibraries 3) Preserving Nationalheritage
4) Government libraries 4) Informationinstitutions
5) Offshoot oflibraries 5) Ministries andin their departments
2.5 FUNCTIONS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF
LIBRARIES
The most important basic objective ofanylibraryis to offer the best possibleservice to
its users to enable them to make the fullest use of its books and other documents.
Based onthis basic objective, the common functions ofa libraryare:
 Build a collection of books and other documents in line with the needs of the
users;
 Process and organise the collection systematically in the stack room, ensuring
their easylocation and replacement bysubject approach; and
 Provide assistance and services such as lending and reference servicesto put the
collectionto the best use.
Keeping the above functions as primary, let us discuss the specific functions that are
specialto different types oflibraries.
2.5.1 Academic Libraries
Academic libraries are those that serve students in schools, colleges, universities and
other academicinstitutions. Table 2.2 indicatesthe different kinds ofacademic libraries
inIndia.
Libraries: Basics and Contexts

7. 27
Table 2.2:Academic Institution Libraries in India
No. Schools Colleges Universities
1 Primary Junior Conventional
2 Middle Undergraduate Institutes of Science
3 Secondary Postgraduate Institutes of
Technology
4 Higher
Secondary
Institutes of
Management
Agriculture
5 Polytechnics Engineering Medical
6 Open Schools Business Agriculture
7 Others Others Distance Education
Others
School Libraries
The idealfunctions of school libraries are brieflystated here. The formative years of
children at the primaryand pupils at secondarylevels are also the foundation years of
learning to inculcateinthemgood readinghabits and goodconduct as invaluableassets.
Whateverhabit iscultivated at these stages,willobviouslystayinthemthroughout their
lives. The idealfunctions ofschoollibraries frompre-schoolto higher secondaryare
presented below inTable 2.3.
Table 2.3: Services and Resources of School Libraries
Levels Learners Services Resources
Pre-school
(2 years)
Children
(3-5 yrs.)
Play and learn Toys, picture books,
posters
Primary school
Children
(5-10 yrs.)
Children
(5-10 yrs.)
Play and learn.
Love for books
is created
Learning toys, picture
books, posters, very
simple books
Middle Children
(5-8th
standards)
Reading-cum-
study
rooms.
Guided use of
books.
Cultivation of
reading habits
Illustrated books;
simple
reading books, picture
posters, etc.
Secondary
level
Pupils
(9-10th
standards)
Introduction to
library. Use of
reference book.
Simple activities
Illustrated reference
books. Additional
textbooks. Guided
reading
Higher
Secondary
Students
(11 -12th
standards)
Typical library
Intensive use
Of books.
Reading
room open for
long
hours Extensive
use
of reference
books
Projects guidance.
Advance text books.
General reading
Types of Libraries and
their Functions

8. 28
What has beensuggested above is idealand rarely possible inthe present conditions
that exist inschoollibraries inIndia, with possible exceptions inprivate public schools.
Such built-in facilities are however operating in schools of western countries with
appropriate trainedteacher-cum-librarystaff.
College Libraries
Colleges performoneofthemostimportant functions oftheeducationprocess. College
students do not get muchindividualattention, as theyareused to getting it in schools.
Self-learning andself-studybecomes almost compulsory.This implies that theyhave to
dependveryheavilyonlibraryfacilities. MostofthecollegesinIndiaofferlibraryfacilities
for the benefit ofstudents, teachers, the administrative and management staffand for
others who havepermissionto use thesefacilities. Table2.4 gives asummaryofcollege
libraryservices whichare illustrative, not exhaustive.
Table 2.4: College Library Services
No. Colleges Users Services Resources
1 Junior colleges
offering courses of
11th
and 12th
standards in some
states in India
Students,
teachers and
others
Textbook
services
Reading
room
facilities.
Reference
service.
Additional
text
books.
Reference
Collection
2 Graduate and Post
Grad Students
Teachers and
others
Reading
room
facilities
for long
hours.
Reference
services.
Introduction
to
collections
and facilities
Extensive
general
collection
and reference
books
3 Professional
Colleges Students
teachers and others
Students,
teachers and
others
User service.
Reference.
Service.
Data service
Extensive
collections of
professional
books and
Reference
Sources
Textbookservice:Inadditionto prescribedtextbooks, additionaltitlesforfurtherstudies
and consultationare necessaryin textbook service. Reading room (RR) facilities for
extended hours are necessary.
Collectionbuildingincollege libraries shouldnaturallybeorientedtowardsthe subjects
taught. Technical manuals, scientific and technical data sources, national and other
standards are necessary; books on industry and business are also necessary for
professionalcolleges. Introductionto the libraryresources andfacilitiesconstitute user
education service.
University Libraries
University libraries all over the world not only have been able to develop rich and
Libraries: Basics and Contexts

9. 29
extensivecollections,buthavealsoestablishedspecialisedservices.Researchfordoctoral
and post-doctoraldegreesis normalinuniversities. Universities produce publications
whichappearinlearned periodicals, researchreports, etc. The librariesextend facilities
to support suchspecialised researchactivities inuniversities. Most universitylibraries
are automated and offer a varietyofcomputer-based services.
2.5.2 Public Libraries
Public libraries are distinctlydifferent fromother libraries as mentioned earlier.Apart
fromlending and reference services which are common to allother types oflibraries,
services inpublic libraries include anumber ofextension services, suchas community
meeting rooms, servicesto children, lecturesontopics ofcurrent interest to the general
public and cultural programmes. Many public library activities are guided by the
UNESCO’s definitionofa public library. According to UNESCO, public libraries are
the “local gateway to knowledge, provide basic condition for lifelong learning,
independent decision-making and culturaldevelopment ofthe individualand social
groups.”
2.5.3 Special Libraries
Avarietyofspecialisedservices withconsiderable speed are typicalfunctions ofspecial
libraries. A notable service is personalised service offered to select groups such as
researchand marketing staffinindustrialand business enterprises.
2.5.4 Government Libraries
As indicatedearlier, government librarieshavea responsibilityto collect allgovernment
publicationsoftheirrespectiveministriesanddepartments. Theyorganisespecialservices
at short notice in supplying appropriate material to senior levelofficers and provide
short and condensed reports for them.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write youranswer inthe space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answers givenat the endofthis Unit.
4) Give the UNESCO definitionofa public library.
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2.6 SOME ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
Most countries have their own patternoflibraries with suitable modifications in tune
withnationalprioritiesand requirements. InthisUnit we are discussingonlylibraries in
the United States ofAmerica (USA) and Great Britain. These countries have made
significant and substantialcontributionsinalmost alldimensionsoflibrarydevelopment,
serving as the best modelfor other countries to follow United States ofAmerica. The
USA isa land oflibraries. Most ofthe different types oflibraries discussedabove have
originated fromthe US. Alloftheminvariablyofferhighqualityservicesineveryaspect
ofprofessionalservices.
Types of Libraries and
their Functions

10. 30
The Library of Congress (LC), their national library, initially instituted to serve the
Congress(ParliamentoftheUS)isindeed the pride ofthecountry. It isahighlycomplex
institutionwithavibrantlyactiveanddynamicknowledgeandinformationcentreendowed
withincomparable and unparalleled richresources and extensive facilities. The school
librariesaremodelswithprogrammesintegratingclassroomlearningandlibraries.College
and universitylibraries are universallywellknownfortheircollectionsand userservices.
The speciallibraries and information institutions are as conspicuous as the other US
libraries. Thepublic librariesare imposingand impressive institutionsandmanyofthem
enjoyinternationalreputation.The activities ofprofessionalassociations likeAmerican
LibraryAssociation, SpecialLibraryAssociationandotherprofessionalbodies preserve
the pride ofthe profession inUS. The literature onlibraryandinformationis extensive
and serves as the world literatureinour profession.
Libraries inGreat Britainare asfamous as libraries ofthe US. The BritishLibrary, their
nationallibraryis ahistoricalinstitution.Their NationalBibliographyrepresentsthe best
modelofnationalbibliographies. Other types oflibrariesand professionalassociations
and literature are also as great as their counterparts inthe US.
2.7 TYPES OF LIBRARIES IN INDIA
In India, we have almost every type of libraries as described above. The National
LibraryofIndia is inKolkata. It started as theCalcutta Public Libraryin1835 founded
bypublicmenand scholars ofCalcutta. In1903, at the behest ofLordCurzon, the then
ViceroyofIndia, the library was merged with the Official ImperialLibrary. With the
dawnofindependent India, theGovernment ofIndia, declared it astheNationalLibrary
of India, as an institution ofnational importance. Built over a period of more than a
century, thecollectionis highlyimpressive, withanumberofprestigiousgift collections.
The Libraryhas been headed by a galaxyofeminent persons.
Withthe passingofthe DeliveryofBooks and Newspaper (PublicLibraries)Act 1954,
theLibraryhasbeenthedepositoryofIndianpublicationsinalltheofficialIndianlanguages
and English. The CentralReference Library, also located within the NationalLibrary
campus, brings out the Indian National Bibliography, a record ofallcurrent Indian
publications. TheNationalLibraryprovides anumber ofuser services. Inkeeping with
modern trends, it is also being automated.
The NationalScience Libraryand the NationalMedicalLibrary both located at New
Delhi are our national libraries in the field of science and medicine respectively. The
IndianAgriculturalResearchInstitute Libraryalso located at Delhi, isalso considered
as our nationallibraryinthefield ofagriculture.
Academic Libraries: Most of the libraries of Indian universities, IndianInstitutes of
Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFSc), Mumbai and
such others haverichcollections and offera varietyofuserservices. These institutions
have internationalstature intheir academic and research activities and therefore their
libraries have also risen to comparable heights.
Colleges, byandlarge, have got librarieswithgood collections and thelibraries offer a
variety of services to their respective readers. Many of the colleges, have also rich
collections and offer user services. For example, St. Xaviers College at Kolkata is
150-year old and has got a rich library with a valuable collection of rare books. The
libraryhas beenautomated and provides a number ofreaders’ services.
Libraries: Basics and Contexts

11. 31
ManyschoolsinIndiahavealso verygoodlibraries. Forexample, thelibraryofBharatiya
Vidya Bhavan, New Delhipossesses veryrich collection.
Special and Research Libraries: India has an excellent set ofresearch institutions in
almost everydiscipline,product,scientificandtechnologicalmissions.Librariespertaining
to researchinstitutions ofCouncilofScientific and IndustrialResearch, IndianCouncil
ofAgriculturalResearch, IndianCouncilofMedicalResearch, Defense Researchand
Development Organisation, etc.haveexcellent collections. Manyofthemare automated
and providingvarieties ofservices.
Industrialand Business Libraries Undertakings bothin public and privatesectors also
have excellent libraries that offer appropriateuser services.
Government Libraries:Theyareservingtherespectiveministriesanddepartments. Many
of them are having good collections and a fine record of user services. The Central
Secretariat Library(CSL), founded in1891 isone ofthe oldest government libraries of
the country. The Libraryhas a huge collection ofbooks and non-print materials over
5.5 lakhvolumes. It is the second largest centralgovernment libraryafter the National
Library, Kolkata. It has a separate Hindiand RegionalLanguages Wing and a branch
library. The Libraryis automated and provides a number ofservices.
Public Libraries : In India, public libraries are yet to rise to the levelof international
standards, despite manystates having the librarylegislation to set up a public library
system. TheDelhiPublic LibrarySystem, started with the support ofUNESCO offers
libraryserviceto the Delhipublic withits branches and mobile libraries.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the spacegiven below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the endofthis Unit.
5) Whyso manygovernment libraries were built up?
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6) Write brieflyabout the different types oflibraries ofIndia.
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2.8 SUMMARY
Inthis Unit, the originand growthoflibraries are described, followed byvarious types
that cameup later. The factorsthat caused the creationofthe different typesoflibraries
are briefly indicated. All these types of libraries were generally initiated in western
societies. Learning and education taking precedence, school, college and university
libraries came upfirst. With large scaleproduction ofbooks andtheir wide circulation,
changinglivingconditions,
Types of Libraries and
their Functions

12. 32
growing population of educated and learned peoples, public libraries came up with
government support. Theneed to nurture industrialdevelopment and serve specialised
persons ledto the creation ofspeciallibraries. Increased government activities aiming
towards awelfare state, the government officials needed specialcollectionand service.
Government libraries appeared on the scene to serve this purpose. The functions of
these types oflibraries were distinctly different. Each of these types of libraries had
different collections, served different groups ofusers, offered services appropriate to
their needs and located close to their respective user community. Beginning fromthe
middle ofthetwentiethcentury, new institutionsbeganto be establishedto meet variety
different needs. They can be considered off-shoots ofthe conventionallibraries. The
different typesoflibrariesattachedto schools, colleges,universities, researchinstitutions,
industrial and business enterprises are described. Public libraries have also been
described. Examples ofthese types oflibraries inUSA and Great Britainare provided.
Examples ofIndianlibraries ofthe different typesare also given.
2.9 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES
1) Severalfactorshavebeenattributedto theoriginand growthofthedifferent types
of libraries. Some of them are: i) the invention of printing, ii) large scale book
publishing at alllevels ofeducation and learning, iii) rising populationof reading
public, iv) concept of democracy, changes in social life of people, industrial
development andsuchotherfactors. Initiallyschool, collegeand universitystarted
coming up, followed by public libraries, special libraries, national libraries,
government libraries.
2) a) i; b) iii; c) i; d) i; e) i.
3) a) 2; b) 3; c) 1; d) 5; e) 4.
4) According to UNESCO, public libraries are the localgateway to “Knowledge
and are to provide a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-
making and culturaldevelopment ofthe individualand socialgroups.”
5) Government ministriesanddepartmentshave uniquefunctionsto performbecause
ofthegovernment’sresponsibilitiesforprovidinganumberofservicesto thepeople.
Different officials ofthe government have different dutiesand responsibilities and
they have specialised needs. Only libraries that have the kind of collection,
knowledge of user needs can offer the specialised needs. Hence government
libraries have been set up.
6) Allthe types oflibraries are present in India. The NationalLibrary, Kolkatta, has
a prestigious collection serving national interests and requirements. Libraries
attached to schools, colleges, universities, research institutions, professional
institutionsservestudents,researches, scholarsandothers.Speciallibrariesattached
to Industrialenterprises, business houses serve their users. Government libraries
serve government officials. Thus for everytype ofactivityofthe nation, libraries
have beenoperating inIndia.
2.10 KEYWORDS
Academic Libraries : The libraries associated with educational
institutions.
Browsing Books : To look through a book ina casualmanner.
Libraries: Basics and Contexts

13. 33
Delivery of Books and : This Act of Indian Parliament mandates all
Newspaper (Public Libraries) publishers to deposit a copyoftheir publication
Act 1954 to theNationalLibrary, Kolkata and a few other
libraries inIndia.
National Library : A library that collects and preserves all the
publications ofthe country.
Public Library : Librarymeant tobeusedforfreebyallthepeople
and establishedlegallybygovernments.
Special Library : LibraryofResearchandDevelopmentinstitution,
industrial and business houses and for special
groups ofpeople.
2.11 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING
Central Secretariat Library. Web. 1 June 2011. <http://www.csl.nic.in/>.
IGNOU. Library and Society. BLIS-01. Block 2. Unit 5-8.New Delhi: IGNOU,
1999. Print.
Isaac, K. A. Libraries and Librarianship. Madras: S Viswanathan Printers and
Publishers Ltd, 1987. Print.
Khanna, J. K. Library and Society. Kurukshetra: ResearchPublications, 1987. Print.
Kundu, S R. “Informationas aMarketable Commodity”.IASLIC Bulletin55.2 (2010):
82-87. Print.
Types of Libraries and
their Functions