College libraries are essential academic resources within educational institutions, serving diverse objectives, embodying specific characteristics, and performing crucial functions. These libraries are dedicated to supporting academic curricula by providing a comprehensive range of resources tailored to the disciplines and courses offered by the institution. They also play a pivotal role in facilitating research endeavors by offering access to scholarly journals, books, databases, and other materials necessary for academic inquiry. The nature of college libraries is characterized by their academic focus, dynamic and evolving collections, integration of technology, and provision of a supportive study environment. They continuously adapt their collections to reflect evolving trends and incorporate digital resources to enhance accessibility. Furthermore, college libraries perform vital functions such as acquisition and collection development, reference and information services, user support and outreach, collaboration with academic programs, and preservation and conservation of valuable materials. Together, these objectives, nature, and functions underscore the crucial role that college libraries play in enriching the educational experience and advancing knowledge within the college community.
2. What is college library?
A college is considered as an academic institution of higher learning offering three
year degree courses. The library within the college campus, mainly focused on the
academic works and assistance of the concerned college is considered as college
library.
“It is the pulsing heart which is to quicken every activity which goes on upon the
campus; it is the easily accessible mentor to which every alumnus should look for
guidance; and it is a bacon light whose rays should illumine more and more the
path of those leaders of men who are entrusted with the conservation of equality of
opportunity and the solution of problems of civilization that daily assumes a greater
and ever increasing degree of complexity.”
-J.K. Khanna
3. OBJECTIVES
According to “Education commission” 1966, the objectives of the college library are:
1. To provide resources necessary for research in the field of interest to the college;
2. To help the teacher in keeping abreast of developments in his field;
3. To provide library facilities and services necessary for the success of all formal programmes of the
institution;
4. To open the door to the worldwide of books that lie beyond the borders of one’s own field of
specialization; and
5. To bring books, students and scholars together under conditions, which encourage reading for
pleasure, self-discovery, personal growth and sharpening of intellectual curiosity.
4. • FUNCTION
1. service to the college community
2. duty towards the alumnus
3. positive influence in society for the
expansion of knowledge
5. NATURE
It is not merely a depository of books, but an active workshop instrument in the production of
or original thinking. The aim of college education and college libraries is inter-related. College
library extends opportunities for self-education to the deserving and enthusiastic students
without any distinction. These libraries develop in each student a sense of responsibility in the
pursuit of knowledge. College library stimulates the students to obtain, evaluate and
recognize knowledge and to familiarize themselves with the trends of knowledge for further
education and learning new disciplines.
