What is Library?
In English, the word “Library” means “a collection of books for study, research,
reference and recreation”. It is probably derived from a Latin word ‘liber’ which
means ‘a book’.
The Harrold’s Librarians’ Glossary and Reference Book explains library as:
(a) A collection of books and other literary material kept for reading, studying and
consultation
(b) A place, building, room or rooms set apart for keeping the books
(c) A number of books issued by one publisher under a comprehensive title such as
‘Loeb Classical Library’, and usually having some general characteristic, such
as, subject, binding, or typography
(d) A collection of films, photographs and other non-book materials, plastic or metal
tapes, disks and programs
Functions of a Library
It collects, maintain and make the information sources available to the people of a
society to help them to make themselves aware of the available literature.
It fosters and promote the dissemination of information, and education and
cultural heritage in order to promote enlightened citizenship and enrich their
personal life.
It provides opportunity and facility for formal and informal life-long selfeducation
to the member of a community irrespective of their age, caste, creed,
colour, gender or any other human characteristic.
It preserves the intellectual, literary and cultural heritage of humanity for posterity
as resources for research and development.
It provides reliable information to all citizens without any bias and prejudice.
It facilitates advancement of culture in a community.
Tacit knowledge and Explicit knowledge
Michael Polayani has given two categories of knowledge i.e. tacit knowledge and explicit knowledge.
Tacit knowledge is the knowledge of an individual which may or may not be expressed or shared.
Explicit knowledge is that knowledge which is expressed to others orally, in a recorded form or through
other communication channels.
Role of Library in Society
- Role of Library in Education: Formal Education, Non-formal education, Informal Education
- Role of Library in Research and Development
- Role of Library in Information Dissemination
- Role of Library in Promotion and Development of Culture
- Role of Library in Recreation and Leisure
- Role of Library in Moral, Ideological and Spiritual Development
Ranganathan’s Concept of Trinity and Library
S R Ranganathan, the father of Library and Information Science in India, introduced the concept of “trinity in library”. Ranganathan says that “a library is a trinity made up of books, reader and staff”. According to this concept, the library has three inter-dependent components which make it a social institution. These components are books, reader and staff.
(Reference: Library and Information Science, Class XI NCERT, Chapter 1)