Types of library service and library

Abstract

Introduction This chapter outlines the generic services that libraries offer and the internal processes they need to run in order to offer those services. Academic (including university) libraries and public libraries are examined in more detail, and special libraries, essentially libraries attached to organizations or to political entities, are introduced. Special libraries include national libraries. Institutions that perform roles related to that of libraries are also covered. Library services User services provide users with the value that they expect from libraries: 1 Information services : lending books and other materials as sources of information, maintaining institutional and community information listings, conserving and digitizing organizational and local heritage collections, and setting up and running websites and intranets supporting the host organization, the local community or even local government services. 2 Learning services : fostering reader development; offering information literacy or user education programmes, homework clubs and family learning programmes; developing lifelong learning in the community by means of basic literacy and numeracy initiatives, ICT skills training, and the provision of a wide range of networked learning resources, some of which may be library-produced. 3 Advice services : offering personal guidance on obtaining services or rights. This might involve areas such as health, careers, social security/pensions, housing, consumer rights or family matters. Advice can be seen as general information tailored to an individual need. It may involve referral (e.g. to another agency) or an action (e.g. help in completing a form). Advice might be delivered by an expert or by someone who has had the same need. 4 Leisure services : lending books or other materials for leisure reading/consumption. These materials are chiefly fiction, but leisure reading can also encompass many types of non-fiction: cookery books, do-it-yourself manuals, history, biography and so on. Such materials can be consulted within the library, for example by offering drop-in access to read newspapers and magazines. Leisure does not involve just reading: libraries can maintain listings of local clubs and events, where like-minded individuals can meet and exchange knowledge. Finally, the library can offer itself as a venue for meetings of interest-based user or community groups. Internal functions are performed by the library to maintain its user services, outlined above: 1 Acquisitions : a library needs to acquire stock, or access to remote resources, which involves selection, ordering and receiving.