A library is a collection of books on various subjects, to be
used for supplementing knowledge. It may be private, belonging to an
individual, or public, for the use of all people who pay subscription as
members ; or can read free. A private library reflects the tastes or the
personal likes and dislikes of its owner. Here books are selected according to
the owner's judgement and requirements. Often a good private library is donated
to the public after the owner's death. Such, for example, is the Khuda Buksh
Library of Patna, Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee's private library, is now a part of
the National Library of India in Calcutta. Public libraries may be meant for
the general readers and these contain books on all subjects. Of the former
category is the National Library. Public libraries are generally state-aided ;
books may not be lent out to anyone ; if they are, it is usually against
security deposits. The National Library belongs to this class.
The library of an academic institution is meant for the use
of the teachers and the students as of the University. Schools and Colleges
also have libraries which are used for the same purpose. So it has been rightly
said that a modern university is a collection of books.
We, in India, are not good readers of books. In our Schools
and Colleges we generally confine ourselves to the study of textbooks or light
literature i.e, novels. There is, however, the librarian, one whose duty is to
guide the readers in the choice of books.
Libraries are a necessity for all people who possess some
culture. It is impossible for any one to purchase all the books that are
necessary. In a library we can select the books in which we are interested. A
good library also purchases books selected or recommended by the readers. Hence
membership of a library gives one the opportunity of becoming familiar with a
large variety of books and abreast with current trends of thought.
The proper management of libraries is a necessary system for
the spread of education. In our country every village should have at least one
library where the people can go for knowledge and information.
In order to make books available to the largest number of
people, circulating or travelling libraries have been set up. Long ago Baroda
took the lead in this direction. Books are carried in motor vans and
distributed to their readers in Villages, according to their choice. In
European countries libraries are inter—connected and readers of one library can
requisition books from another. In a poor country like ours, the system has
obvious advantages.
An adjunct of a library which greatly increases its utility
is the reading room with facility for free reading. Readers meet together and
discuss the latest publications. Sometimes enlightening lectures and debates
are held there. But library books should be used carefully. Some Indians have
the bad habit of mishandling books by disfiguring them with odd, an obscene
comments, cutting off and stealing pages or otherwise mutilating the volumes.
Such vandalism practice should be avoided by all means. Group discussion in the
quiet part of the library helps to stimulate intellectual curiosity and makes
the people mentally alert. It raises cultural standards. A spirit of
co-operation is established between the library and its users.
The atmosphere of a library is an incentive to study, When
one find so many readers attentively reading books, one naturally develops a
desire to read on one's own account. It is thus that the library habit is cultivated
among casual readers. We can then create a habit of using libraries for
knowledge as well as for recreation.
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