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Libraries
play a fundamental role in our society. They are the collectors and stewards of
our heritage; they are organizers of the knowledge in the books they collect –
adding value by cataloging, classifying and describing them; and, as public
institutions, they assure equality of access for all citizens. They take the
knowledge of the past and present, and lay it down for the future. Europe’s
libraries and archives contain a wealth of material representing the richness
of Europe’s history, acquired over the centuries. These materials cover a range
of forms - books, newspapers, films, photographs and
maps. By bringing it online, we make it easier for citizens to appreciate their
own culture as well as our common European history. Library collections in the
different countries represent their cultural identities. Language is at the
heart of these identities. In other words, libraries are social institutions
offering services based upon books and information for various public groups on
social, political, economic, cultural and other matters. Among the different
types of libraries evolved by the society in modern times, public libraries are
the most popular because of the functions they perform. They play a significant
role in the welfare of the society.
Public Libraries have a social mission and are devoted to the
development of the community. It has been providing information for education,
leisure and entertainment for decades and will continue this function for many
more years. Users are able to read and borrow anything available in the
institution. The library is seen as a safe place for people to meet or simply
browse through rows of books (Hendrix, 1998). Whatever may be the changes that
are taking place, Public libraries cannot set back from their established roles
i.e. culture, education, reading, literacy, and information.
ROLES
OF THE LIBRARY IN THE SOCIETY
The
society is of multi-lingual and multi-cultural nature. In such type of society
a sense of respect and regard for other linguistic and cultural groups is
essential to strengthen the cultural unity in diversity. Hence, a public
library needs to address itself in organizing functions and get-together
meetings of different cultural groups to give vent to the aspirations and
contributions of different cultures. Occasions like national festivals,
religious festivals, and birthdays of national or religious leaders could be
utilized to serve such an objective. Another notable role a public library
plays in this sphere is the work relating to the preservation of local cultural
materials. In order to identify and procure such materials, a public library
solicits the assistance of historians, archaeologists, literary persons and
leaders of the area. Thus the library serves as a link between the past and
future. The UNESCO Manifesto declares that the public library is concerned with
the refreshment of man‘s spirit by the provision of books for relaxation and
pleasure (UNESCO 2004). The term book is interpreted here in the widest sense
to include all recorded materials of mankind depicting his excellence in prose,
poetry, drama, music, painting, dance and sculpture and collected together to
provide a soothing effect to the working mind. As a public library is required
to meet the individual needs of the local public, local or regional cultural
materials are given a place of utmost prominence. Thus, a Public library is
essentially a free library financed by public funds providing impartial service
to all the members of a local community despite its cast and creed and a
democratic institution providing information, education and culture to each
user according to needs.
Generally,
the library plays the following functions in the society;
1. Access to Tools of information and
Education- It is the primary function of a public library to select and to organize
need-based literature and other means of information and education suitable to
the requirements of the local community in which the library is located.
2. Instrumental in Informal
Self-Education-Public library is one of the agencies on which an adult heavily
relies. It proves him/her suitable learning material to develop his/her skill
and competence in areas of interests. Self education may be obtained through a
public library such as methods of agricultural operations, scientific methods
of poultry, bee keeping etc.
3. To
Promote Cultural and Social Activities- A public library lends active support
to many socio-cultural groups, such as children‘s club, youth forum, dramatic
club, teachers association, lawyers or doctors associations, film society etc.
to conduct their activities through its premises or through its rich
informative, educative and cultural materials.
4. Preservation of Local Material- Another
important function fulfilled by a modern public library is to identify and
collect cultural material of importance available in its jurisdiction. These
may be works of art or sculpture, paintings, documents, musical instruments
etc. In a nutshell, a public library goes in search of all such materials which
link the people of the locality with its cultural past.
5. Strengthening of Democratic Spirit- By
bringing together in its socio-cultural activities seemingly different segments
of the society on a single platform, the library slowly develops a sense of
amity, a sense of respect for other groups, an appreciation of the differences
in languages, religion,customs and manners. Thus sectarian life styles are
substituted by democratic life patterns. In this sense, a public library
justifies its existence as a democratic institution.
CONCLUSION
Libraries
face real challenges in coping with the transition to the digital age. To avoid
becoming the dinosaurs of the future, they have to adapt, to attract new and young
users, and to develop new business models. This implies profound changes in the
organizations, in the skills and sometimes in attitude. Therefore, the library
system should be properly funded by governments of various countries so they
can live up to expectation.
REFERENCES
Hendrix, F. (2008)
―The Role of Public Libraries in the Information Society‖, Humanities
Computing Unit, Oxford University. http://www.hcu.ox.ac.uk/events/beyondl/public.html
UNESCO (2004) ―The
UNESCO Public library Manifesto‖
available at www.unesco.org/webworld/libraries/manifestos/libraman.html