Types of Libraries and Library Systems
What the domain covers
This domain classifies libraries by purpose and ownership and explains how individual libraries form systems through branches, departments, consortia and networks. The exam tests typology, funding, user groups and resource-sharing arrangements.
Core rules and concepts
- Academic libraries: school, college and university libraries; support curricula and research.
- Public libraries: open to all, usually funded by local or state government; include district, branch, mobile and rural libraries.
- Special libraries: attached to organisations-CSIR laboratories, DRDO, hospitals, courts, media houses; focus on specialised information.
- National libraries: preserve national heritage; India's National Library, Kolkata, receives legal deposit under the Delivery of Books Act.
- Library systems: central library with branches/departments; public library systems; university library systems; consortia such as DELNET and e-ShodhSindhu for sharing resources.
Worked example
A district has a central library, four branches, a mobile van and a braille section. Classify it. Reasoning: it is a public library system because it serves the general public, is publicly funded and operates as a network from a central library. It is not a special library-special libraries serve a parent organisation-and not a national library, which has legal deposit and heritage functions.
Traps that cost marks
Do not label a university library "public" just because students use it; do not treat a school library as a public library; do not confuse "library system" with "library network"-a system is administrative, a network is cooperative. Ignore legal deposit and you lose marks on national libraries.