M1L1: Library and Information Centres: Concept and Role in Society

NIOS 12th Senior Secondary Library and Information Science Module 1 Library, Information, and Society Lesson 1 Chapter 1

latin origin of library (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• comes from the latin word ‘libraria’ (a book place)

• originates from ‘liber’ meaning book

oxford companion to the english language (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• library is a collection of books, periodicals and / or other materials, primarily written and printed

harrod’s librarian’s glossary and reference book (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• a collection of books kepts for reading, study and consultation

• a place, building or room specifically used to store a collection of books

• a number of books issued by one publisher generally have a common characteristic such as subject, binding or typography

• a collection of non book materials such as films, photographs, plastic / metal tapes, disks, programs etc

loeb classical library (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• a collection of texts first accumulated by James Loeb, now overseen by the Harvard University Press, the common characteristic being that the texts are all greek and latin with literal translations to make them more accessible

summarised version (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• a place where literary and artistic materials (books, periodicals, pamphlets, prints, artefacts) for reading, reference or lending

• a collection of literary materials when systematically arranged

• a room in a private home for such a collection

• institution or foundation maintaining a collection of literary materials

Dr S R Ranganathan - father of library science of India (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• says that a library is a public institution responsible with the care of a collection of books and making them accessible

library → organisation of records of thought (definition of a library)

(definition of a library)

• human thoughts can be in the form of manuscripts, books, periodicals, audio-visual records, microfilms, graphs, charts, etc

• organised for effective use by potential users

purpose (purpose and functions of a library)

(purpose and functions of a library)

• purpose of establishing a library is to serve the society through the records of human thoughts and expressions by making them accessible to all

functions (purpose and functions of a library)

(purpose and functions of a library)

• collect and provide book and non book materials to help people be aware of other perspectives / thought processes in order to think and act independently

• promoting the spread of knowledge, education and culture

• provide a forum for life-long self education (formal and informal)

• preserve literary and cultural heritage for the future in the forms of vehicles of culture and research materials

• provide reliable information for everyone irrespective of social status

education (functions of a library)

(functions of a library)

• libraries provide sources for self-development for individuals and groups → aiming to be accessible to everyone regardless of their educational level

• the intention is to close the gap between individual and recorded knowledge

• libraries support all types of education, including formal, non formal, adult and life-long

• these goals are achieved by stocking books and other educational materials for the community

promotion of culture (functions of a library)

(functions of a library)

• libraries are centres of cultural life as they provide a space for the participation, enjoyment and appreciation of various arts

• promotion of culture has 2 main aspects

  • reading and thinking, to expand thinking and foster creativity

  • organising cultural events, such as lectures, seminars, symposia, cultural gatherings, book exhibitions, etc for cultural enrichment

information dissemination (functions of a library)

(functions of a library)

• libraries aim to provide accurate and current information on all topics of interest

• these information services have to include the socio-economic needs of the community

• they serve as an information or referral centre for specialised sources of information

• information about employment opportunities, public utility services, and social awareness programmes is disseminated to the general public through libraries

recreation (functions of a library)

(functions of a library)

• libraries promote the positive use of leisure time by providing relaxing materials

• recreational reading is facilitated by reading materials such as books of fiction, magazines, newspapers, etc

• audio visual materials such as films, television, radio, audio-video casettes, etc also promote positive leisure

• various forms of performing arts can also be organised in the library

role of library in society and education

• libraries are vital to the socio-economic, cultural and education development of a society

libraries as a social institution (role of library in society and education)

(role of library in society and education)

• it helps the life-long self education for everyone

• it provides updated information on all subjects to everyone

• its services sharing recorded perspectives and ideas are provided for everyone in an unbiased and balanced way

• inspires the positive use of leisure time

• preserves the literary and cultural heritage of humanity for antiquarian research

• is an agency responsible for socialised recorded thoughts

libraries for raising cultural levels (libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

(libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

• libraries improve the overall level of intelligence in members of society

• it also increases the amount of common sense in the common man

• also enhances reading habits and cultural knowledge / involvement

• to make a community erudite is dependant on having access to vast sources of reading materials

• libraries provide recreation and information to all classes of people, improving the community overall

libraries promote the desire for books (libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

(libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

• since libraries are a social institution, they promote the desire to read

• this makes people library-minded and increases the demand for books

• libraries also depend on the desire and requirement of books to expand their stock and collection of books

libraries - an instrument for creating refined citizens (libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

(libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

• a civilised society is expected to have a literate community who understand the value of libraries

• libraries are a driving force to the educational development of a community based on the quality of its service

• it enables individuals to broaden their outlook, knowledge and potential for ideas

• this is especially important in democracy as it requires educated citizens regardless of social status, in order to have moral judgement

• allows individuals to learn and grow so they can solve their crucial problems at a practical pace

libraries facilitate social integration (libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

(libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

• as a social institutions, library users are encouraged to interact amongst themselves

• libraries provide the right forum for social get-togethers as it is available to all members on equal terms

• this is aided by organising events for socialisation

libraries preserve knowledge (libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

(libraries as social institutions and their purposes)

• libraries archive old and rare documents and preserve literary heritage for prosterity

• it helps researchers understand historical aspects and records

the role of libraries in education (role of library in society and education)

(role of library in society and education)

• education and training of the individual is necessary to foster economic and social development

• people need an effective educational system to be erudite

• libraries are essential to schools, colleges, university and the life-long education of adults

• informal education and life-long learning can only be maintained long-term with an adequate library service

libraries as the people's universities (the multiple roles of libraries in education)

(the multiple roles of libraries in education)

• education aims to aid self-development by providing knowledge and skills

• it also aims to inculcate civic and social responsibilities

• people need to be contributing to the development of the nation, which requires education, which requires libraries, justifying the phrase 'Universities of the People'

libraries as centres of mass education (the multiple roles of libraries in education)

(the multiple roles of libraries in education)

• political awareness, socio-economic growth, cultural and educational enlightment are vital to the development of a nation , all of which require libraries

• library services caters to all classes of people, acting as an intellectual catalyst for individuals seeking resources for education, information, recreation, aesthetic appreciation and research

• the services are available to all irrespective of age and sex, improving the welfare of society as a whole

libraries as centres of continuing education (the multiple roles of libraries in education)

(the multiple roles of libraries in education)

• reading habits perservering depends on the public's desire, capacity and need

• libraries help develop vocational, professional and learning skills which improve problem solving skills

• a library provides life-long continuing education to individuals

information centres

• an information centre is defined as an organisation that

  • selects, acquires, stores and retrieves information in response to requests

  • prepares abstracts, extracts, indexes of information and

  • disseminates information in anticipation and in response to requests

• information centres also contain highly specialised Research and Development (R&D) organisations

• information centres provide services that include referral service, literature search, translations, bibliographies, abstracts, etc

information analysis centres (varied forms of information centres)

(varied forms of information centres)

• they collect literature produced in a specific field

• evaluate the usefulness of the literature

• they provide it to researchers when needed

• they verify all the collected information for validity, reliability and accuracy

• the reports of these centres are vital to strengthening research, finding gaps in knowledge and recognising shortcomings

clearing houses (varied forms of information centres)

(varied forms of information centres)

• they are set up on a cooperative basis or by a national / international agency

• they provide a single space to access information from different sources, countries and languages

• they compile bibliographies of particular disciplines and circulate them

• also circulate documents if requested

data centres and data banks (varied forms of information centres)

(varied forms of information centres)

• they collect, organise, store and retrieve numerical data for a specific subject field

• they collect information in anticipation of future requirements

• usually work with a broader subject field and work with raw data

• they keep structured files accessible to users whenever needed

libraries (differences between libraries and information centres)

(differences between libraries and information centres)

• provide macro documents

• provides documents rather than information

• renders services to internal and external users

• not involved in analysis and presentation of info

• offers only the document

• provides book with needed info

information centres (differences between libraries and information centres)

(differences between libraries and information centres)

• provide micro documents

• provides information

• renders services only to internal users

• involved in analysis and presentation of info

• offers document with details and contents of it

• provides needed info without whole book

libraries and information centres of information age

• the modern library’s basic functions have changed - especially methods used for collection, processing, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utility of info

• these changes are implemented through new information, collecting, networking technologies - sophisticated technologies

• users can access info at their desks or at home through Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) - no need to be physically present

• libraries are considered service institutions

• due to technological development, librarians have to adapt and grow to provide efficient services and effectively use the available resources

factors that cause the transformation of libraries’ functions and roles (libraries and information centres of information age)

(libraries and information centres of information age)

• political and social stability (or lack of)

• expanding educational facilities - high rate of literacy

• urbanisation and globalisation of population due to migration

• growth in trade, commerce, industry and business

• encouragement from government

• standard of living

• influence of leaders in various fields

• established book trade

• mass communication

• communication technology (like computers)