05-29-2011, 03:29 AM
No one can deny the importance of libraries. They are useful for laymen, professionals and scholars. They make ancient and modern writings available to all those who cannot buy them. Costly textbooks and rare manuscripts are stored in libraries for the use of students and research scholars. In the fields of education, libraries play a very important role. Many books which are not readily available in the market, or are so costly that very few students can by them, are available in the libraries. They are lent to the readers, and thus one book serves the needs of many. Similarly foreign publications and journals which are not imported by the book-sellers are directly purchased by the libraries. Teachers borrow these books and keep themselves abreast of all modern developments in the field of humanities and sciences. In this manner the knowledge so acquired is passed on to the students and ultimately contributes to the national progress. But the general libraries which are meant for the use of public are of no less importance. Which the spread of education and increase in the literacy rate demand for reading material increases. Those who want to spend their leisure hours in reading books become members of libraries and at a nominal cost can read likes fiction, tales of adventure, historical narratives and biographies, the librarians keep a good stock of such books. There are libraries exclusively meant for the for the specialists. Books on subjects such as medicines, law , engineering and technology are not kept in general libraries. Special libraries are established for these technical subjects where professional people and scholars can go and derive benefit from the books. These libraries provide the specialists when the with the latest developments in their respective fields.