Types of library
There are different categories of library, this is based on
their collection and the groups of people they serve, but
they all have similar functions.
THE DIFFERENT YPES OF LIBRARY INCLUDE:
Academic libraries
School libraries
Special libraries
Private libraries
Public libraries
National libraries
ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
These are libraries in institution of higher learning
such as Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of
Education
Academic libraries differ from each other in many
respects, but they all have the same basic function,
which is to aid the parent institution in carrying out
its objectives which includes teaching, learning
and research.
The primary aim of academic library is to meet the
needs of its students and staff by providing current
and relevant information resources. Academic
library serves two complementary purposes:
(i) to support the school’s curriculum
(ii) to support the research of the university faculty
and students.
Therefore, it can be said that academic library plays a
key role in the nation building process. Many
academic libraries have departmental branches in
their respective faculties and departments, e.g.,
Science and Technology library, Management and
Social Science Library, Education and Humanities
Library, law library, etc.
Characteristics of Academic Library
Its collection is usually large it reflects the
programmes of the institutions
It offers reference services to its users
It users are usually in number compared to special
library
It gives formal or informal training to its user for
effective use
It is managed by the institution
Academic library is managed by the university
librarian
Basic Functions of Academic Libraries
1. Selecting and acquisiting of information materials for use
by the academic community.
2. Organizing the acquired materials which involves:
•Cataloguing: This is physical description of information
materials/bibliographic description of information materials
such as author, title, publisher, place of publication, collation,
edition statement, etc.
• Classification: This has to do with grouping and
assigning class mark/call number to the material.
• Processing: This involves stamping, carding, typing
and lettering.
3. Circulation of materials through easy access to open
shelving, and reserve section at the circulation desk.
• Giving reference services by assisting users in locating
information resources.
• Offering both formal and informal instruction in the use of
library.
• Conservation of knowledge.
• Promotion of social and economic modernization.
• Providing inter-library services
• etc
School Libraries
These are libraries established in nursery, primary
and secondary schools.
They usually contain books and non-book materials
for teaching, learning, viewing and reference.
They support the programme of the school.
School library have a positive impact on student
achievement
School library aims at promoting and encouraging
reading habits of the pupils. etc
Characteristics of school library
It’s users are made up of pupils, secondary school
students, teachers and members of that community
It’s collection is usually small compered to
academic or public library
It prepares students for future academic challenges
It is headed by a school Librarian or Media
Specialist
Basic Functions of schoolc Libraries
To acquire, organize and disseminate information
resources required for the school curriculum.
To assist in the promotion of reading skills and
learning habits of students
To encourage young people’s interest and zeal to
use the library
Special Libraries
These are libraries established to meet the
specialized needs of professionals and
business groups,
it may be the library of a corporation, a
government department or a research institute
Examples are Nigerian National Petroleum
Commission (NNPC), International Institute for
Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Library, Central Bank
of Nigeria (CBN) Library, etc.
in a nutshell, Special Libraries are usually Research
Libraries.
Characteristics of special library
The librarians in this library are involved in
researching and finding answers for the client rather
than client seeking for information with the
assistance if the library
Its users are usually homogeneous (the same)
It’s collections are directly and narrowly related to
the mission of the organization
It’s users are few
Functions of special libraries
It acquire, process and organize information
resources of its parent organization
it offer current awareness services by
developing a wide range of service to keep
their client abreast of new and current
development
It provides reference and referral services
Private/Personal libraries
This are libraries owned by individuals and
families for their private use. They are
usually not open for public use.
It’s collections can be single or
multi-discipline
It is managed and funded by the owner
Public Libraries
These are libraries fully sponsored with public fund
such as tax. In Nigeria today, these are known as
State Library and Local Government Library. The
public library has unrestricted users unlike the other
libraries. It is open to all the citizens. The public
libraries are regarded as “The People’s
University”.
National library
This is the library established by a sovereign nation,
it is also called the APEX library
It collects, acquires, stores, preserves and
disseminates information resources published
within the country by the country, and for the
country
The national library of Nigeria in situated in Abuja
which is the headquarters
The national library serves as the depository
center
There is a legal depository law of Nigeria
stating that 25 copies of any thing published
by the federal government most be deposited
at the national library, 10 copies form state
government and 3 copies form individuals
Characteristics of national library
•It is responsible for issuance of the ISBN and ISSN
to publishers and authors in a country
•it complies and publishes the national Bibliography
•It collects and provides comprehensive collection
that reflects the national heritage
•etc
