Use of a Library

The word "library" seems to be used in so many different aspects now, from the brick-and-mortar public library to the
digital library. Public libraries—and indeed, all libraries--are changing and dynamic places where librarians help people find
the best source of information whether it's a book, a web site, or database entry.

Library is the store-house of knowledge for posterior use. Human knowledge can be recorded and preserved in
different media. Some years back, documents written or printed in paper were considered as the best medium.
But with the development of science and technology today electronic multimedia have been widely used for
preservation of knowledge in the libraries of any kind whether it may be public, academic, national or special
library. Since the beginning of civilization human beings have been putting emphasis on storing of information in
different ways. However it must be admitted that libraries in ancient times were not like those of the present
days. Libraries are dynamic and grow along with human civilization. The urge of social, economic, intellectual
and cultural improvement necessitates the development of different kinds of libraries.

Since knowledge and information are so vital for all round development, libraries that handle and manage
knowledge and information are invaluable indeed. The present knowledge society has been, as understood,
characterized by the competition, the supply and demand for knowledge to meet the varied and complex needs of
the individuals, which are expected from the library. Dissemination of right information to the right reader /user
at the right time is the dictum of all the library and information centers. In short library is an agency for
dissemination of information. The basic function of library is education. The purpose of a library in modern
society is to educate the community in a wider sense. Libraries play a very important role in the educational
process of formal and non-formal learning, in research and development, in cultural activities, in spiritual and
ideological realms, in recreation and entertainment etc. With the spectacular advances in information technology
and increasing categories of users and their information needs in different situations, modern society is heading
towards an information society in which the central instrument of change, force and direction of change are
knowledge and information.

Types of Libraries

 Academic libraries serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty. Larger institutions may
have several libraries on their campuses dedicated to serving particular schools such as law and science libraries.
Many academic librarians become specialists in an area of knowledge and can have faculty status.

 Public libraries serve communities of all sizes and types. Wherever you live, there's bound to be a local
public library nearby! As the name implies, public libraries serve the general public, "from cradle to grave" as more
than one public librarian has been heard to say. Public libraries often have departments that focus on areas of
service, such as youth, teens and adults.

 School libraries are usually part of a school system, and serve students between Kindergarten and grade
12. Many are called media centers, and librarians are often required to have a second degree in education or a
certificate in school media.
 Special Library:
Special library became popular since the beginning of 20th century. A special library is one which serves a
particular group of people, such as the employees of a firm of government department, or the staff and
members of a professional or research organization. Such a library deals essentially in information (Krishan
Kumar; 1987; 72)
  National Library:
A national library is a library specifically established by the government of a country to serve as the
preeminent repository of information for that country. Unlike public libraries, these rarely allow citizens to
borrow books. Often, they include numerous rare, valuable, or significant works. A National Library is that
library which has the duty of collecting and preserving the literature of the nation within and outside the
country, Thus, National Library are those libraries whose community is the nation at large.

Digital Library
New technology is changing the ways we create, access and use information. The design and development of digital
libraries depend on computer, communication and other technical skills. Successful digital libraries leading to a global
digital environment can only happen when enough practitioners have the skills to design, build and manage them. This
a holistic view of the global digital library scene covers: the nature and growth of digital libraries, the technological
infrastructure, digital library collections, digitization and document management, organization of digital information,
information retrieval, users, interfaces and user-centered digital libraries, issues summary, archiving and preservation,
services and social issues, evaluation, and the impact of digital libraries on the information professions are discussed
in detail. An invaluable text for both students and practitioners.

Uses/ Benefits of a Library

Many consider libraries to be dead because of today’s focus on technology. This is a
common misconception; in fact, many libraries are thriving across the country. As a
teacher, offering the chance for your students to spend time in their local library will
continue the support that is needed for libraries to keep their doors open.

Including a visit to your local library in your curriculum can benefit your students. It is
there they have access to the news stories and history of their town that they cannot
find in any other library. Today, many of the libraries’ newspaper collections and
historical photographs are being digitized and are available on their websites.
However, research being conducted on students shows that information retention for
data obtained in print is greater than digital media.

By enabling your students to become library patrons, you are empowering them to
utilize a space that can act as more than just a place to study. In addition to access to
information, libraries offer many benefits as an institution:

 They serve as a community hub and meeting place.

 They can offer a place for oral histories and storytelling.
 Libraries create ties and partnerships between community members and organizations.
The Internet’s Role in Change
Many people aren’t going to the library anymore because they can find answers to
questions online so easily. The danger of the age of the internet, however, is the lack
of credible sources. This has created a need for instilling critical analysis skills to
enable our students to conduct effective research. Although there are a number of
perks of the age of information, access to credible resources available at the library
simply can’t be beat.

With a deliberate focus on sustainability in schools around the globe, many teachers
and students are asking themselves how to lessen their carbon footprint — and the
answer can be found in supporting their local library. For example, much of the
population believes that by purchasing a book to read on their tablet, they’re helping to
reduce waste. Many people also prefer to own their books, rather than renting them —
but neither of these things are necessarily good for the environment. Especially after
the rise of big booksellers like Amazon, it turns out that purchasing books online is
actually worse for the environment than just borrowing the physical book from the
library — whether digitally or not.

However, a lessened impact may be true when purchasing or reading books online in
some communities. For those that live in rural areas, the combination of technology
and library support can be found online. If a student or teacher possess a library card,
they can gain access to any of the digitized material on the library’s website, including
e-books. Making information gathering available to all populations has always been
the goal of public libraries.

New Discoveries
Libraries provide a safe space for students to focus on their learning as well as access
information from their numerous resources, including librarians, texts, and
technological offerings. One study found that students whose first language is
something other than English benefit from libraries the most. As a teacher, making
libraries feel more available and beneficial may open new pathways for students you
couldn’t have anticipated before.

As a teacher, placing your student in a library can offer an opportunity for them to
discover new interests. What students see in their feeds and their searches on the
internet are all tailored to their previous preferences. They see the same advertisements
in their social media for video games and clothing lines as a result of their search
history. Their newsfeeds are filled with reports from questionable sources and
saturated with pop culture.

Due to the diverse offerings at the library, there is something to appeal to every
learning style and individual student. As a teacher, the numerous educational tools are
invaluable resources, enabling you to develop more cohesive and engaging lessons in
your classroom. If you don’t have a library within your own school, consider
scheduling your next field trip to explore your local library.