Library and its uses
“My never failing friends are they; with whom I converse day by day” wrote a great English Poet. The friends that he referred to in his verse are books. Books are his never failing friends and he spends all his days in their company.
Library is a place where largo number of books are collected and preserved for the use of the public. We may like to read different kinds of books but we cannot afford to purchase them and store in our shelves.
So, there are very many public libraries run by the government and private bodies.
Books that can be read to while away your leisure time that is hanging heavily on your hands are of one type. They are books of literature, prose, poetry and drama. They are of another variety. There are books used for advanced studies and research known as reference books. And there are books in the vernacular languages of the country and in English.
Libraries buy all books that are current and store them up in shelves assigned for them. They maintain an index of the author as well as the subject of the books kept by them.
By referring to the author’s index, we are able to select from the works of a particular author in whom we are interested. Or by going through the subject index, we can select various backs written by different authors on the same subject and make a comparative study of them.
Some libraries permit readers to come over there and read their books during all working hours. There are also facilities for lending books to readers. In public libraries, a token amount is received as caution deposit and books are lent to readers. At a time one is allowed to take two or three books as the case may be.
There are also facilities for sending books by post to readers living for away from the libraries. As the libraries maintain a catalogue of their books, it is easier to choose from the same. As the government is interested in spreading adult and rural education, there are circulating libraries moving around the villages and suburban areas and lending books to prospective reader. Education is continuing process.
It does not stop with schools and colleges. Latest developments in science and other walks of life are useful in this process.
It is for us to choose the books and make use of the felicities offered by a good library to equip ourselves with the modern trends.
