PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Outline:
1. Introduction: Meaning and Kind.
2. Rules, Regulations and Sections.
3. Uses of Public Libraries.
4. Source of knowledge.
5. Self-education.
6. Amusement.
7. Sale and purchase of books.
A Library means a room or building comprising books
for reading or reference. But, today, it is not necessary that a library must
have a room or buildings. There are circulating or travelling libraries. Libraries
may be of three kinds:
1. Personal
2. public
3. institutional.
The public library is very popular and has the
widest range of influence. A public library, by its name, is open to the public
in general.
There is a public library in every city in Pakistan.
Usually, they are established and run by the Municipal Committees. Some of them
are run by public men. Anyone may become a member and it charges nothing or is very slight to borrow books. One or two books can be rented at a time. These
books can be saved for a fortnight. If at the end of the fortnight, we have not
finished reading a book, we may renew. it for another fortnight. If the book we
need is out we may ask for it to be kept for us. These libraries contain books
of different varieties and subjects to meet the needs and tastes of the public.
Most public libraries also have a study room and a reference library. In the
reading room, we can sit and read the daily paper and all other important periodicals.
In the reference library, there are encyclopedias dictionaries, atlases and
numerous other books. These may not be taken away.
There are many uses of public libraries. First,
these libraries are treasures of wisdom. They provide knowledge and practical guidance
to the people. Because of these libraries, the public has easy access to
books. They inspire the habit of reading among the people. All the people
cannot get all the books they need to read. Public libraries are the inexpensive
source of getting books. They also help in research work.
Secondly: they have educative values also. Everyone
does not get the opportunity to study in schools and colleges. These libraries aid
the people in their self-education. A man reads books on various subjects and
becomes learned after a few years. His knowledge of the world and men is
greatly increased. He develops thinking power and intelligence. Carlyle has
rightly said:
“The
true university of these days is a collection of books Travelling public
libraries can spread education in the villages.”
Thirdly:
they provide amusement to the public. William Godwin writes,
"He those revels in a well-chosen library has innumerable dishes and all the admirable favour. In their leisure hour, almost all the people read novels, short stories, dramas, poetry and interesting news Historical, romantic and detective novels and stories have the greatest appeal for the people.”
Lastly:
public libraries stimulate the purchase of books. With the growth of the habit
of reading, the reader develops the instinct of possessing the books. So
indirectly, they encourage the writer and the publisher.
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