Special Libraries

Special Libraries

Definition of Special Libraries

  • Special libraries are defined as libraries that are designed to meet the specific needs of a parent organization or institution.

  • Examples of special libraries include:

    • Corporate libraries

    • Medical libraries

    • Law libraries

    • Religious libraries

    • Governmental libraries

    • Prison libraries

    • Libraries of not-for-profit organizations

  • Notable individual examples include:

    • Hearst Castle Staff library

    • Smithsonian Institution's research library

    • LDS (Mormon) library of family history located in Utah.

Characteristics of Special Libraries

  • Special libraries can be considered a catch-all term that encompasses any library not classified as public, school, or academic.

  • Three main characteristics define special libraries:

    1. Responsibility to a Parent Organization:

    • Special libraries are accountable to a specific organization.

    1. Specialized Collections:

    • They house specialized collections that cater to the needs of their parent organization.

    1. Specialized Services:

    • They offer services tailored to users, often focusing on narrowly defined research interests.

Examples and Variations of Special Libraries

  • Despite various specializations, special libraries exhibit unlimited variation in types and employment opportunities.

  • For illustration, the role of law libraries can be examined:

    • Firm Libraries:

    • Exclusively serve their organization, necessitating confidentiality due to competitive information needs.

    • Court Libraries:

    • Serve judges and their staffs, prioritizing privacy for sensitive judicial work.

Common Themes in Special Libraries

  • Special libraries share a common core despite diversity in purpose and structure:

    • The collections contain materials on specialized subject areas.

    • They are established to support the goals of the parent organization instead of educational curricula.

    • Special libraries actively seek and provide information relevant to the clientele rather than merely accumulating materials.

Types of Special Libraries

  • Nearly 12,000 libraries fit the definition of special libraries, variously categorized by:

    • Subject Area:

    • Music and art libraries.

    • Forms:

    • Map libraries and archives.

    • Clientele:

    • Medical libraries for patients, prison libraries.

    • Parent Organization:

    • Libraries associated with banks, insurance companies, churches, and federal entities.

  • The existence of a library often aligns with a group’s specific needs for information services.

Terminology and Marketing

  • Special librarians frequently adopt trendy terms to market their services.

    • Current terms associated with special libraries include:

    • Information Centers

    • Knowledge Management

    • Each term presents a unique image and denotes relevance to the associated organization.

Financial Dynamics of Special Libraries

  • The development and growth of special libraries vary significantly, influenced primarily by their parent organizations:

    • The funding and governance of these libraries depend on their perceived importance to organizational objectives.

    • The fortunes of special libraries can fluctuate based on the economic health and status of the parent organization.

Overall Purpose of Libraries

  • All libraries exist to fulfill their parent institutions' objectives and the needs of their communities:

    • The success of a library is profoundly aligned with the economic well-being of those institutions.

    • Libraries that effectively promote their role in facilitating broader goals are more likely to thrive.