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Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes thinking and thinking dispels ignorance and hatred and replaces it by understanding, love and
knowledge.
Further, as observed in the previous section, by bringing together in its socio-cultural activities,
seemingly different segments of the society, on a sin & platform, the library slowly but surely
develops a sense of amity, a sense of respect for the other groups, an appreciation of the difference
in language, religion, customs and manners. Thus, sectarian life styles are substituted by
democratic life patterns. In this sense, a public library, justifies its existence as a democratic
institution.

6.4.6 An Impartial Service Agency

The next characteristic of a public library is that its resources (i.e., book and non-book material)
and services are amenable for use by any person irrespective of one’s caste, creed or sex. In this
sense, every person of a sound mind irrespective of one’s age, status, income, language, religion,
sex, literacy or culture is welcome to the doors of a public library and utilise its resources to the
fullest possible extent. Public library, therefore, is deemed as the most democratic of the
democratic institutions founded by mankind.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
13. Dissemination of ……………….. information relating to unhealthy and unsocial practices
in society is likely to bring out the issues into the open.
14. Information relating to ……………………… which could be applied in day-to-day life
needs to be made known by lectures, demonstrations and science exhibitions.

15. The ……………………. Manifesto declares that the public library is concerned with the
refreshment of man’s spirit by the provision of books for relaxation and pleasure.

16. Public library is deemed as the most democratic of the democratic institutions founded by
……………………...

Case Study Use of Information Resources and Services in Public
Libraries

ublic libraries are essential since they improve literacy, stimulate imagination and
expand personal horizons. They also inform and empower citizens, enable access
Pto a common cultural heritage and support education at all levels. Also, a positive
relationship is observed between public library and literacy level, which in turn, contributes
to increase in economic productivity. Extensive studies were undertaken to study the role
of public libraries in information society, value of services offered and use of the resources.
Growth of public libraries in India has been traced by several authors.
Great attention was received by public libraries in India during independence struggle
and their struggle for funds, space and trained staff at present to serve multilingual and
multi-cultural needs of their community. Use of public libraries in different States in India
has been studied extensively. Karnataka is one of the progressive States in India with
Contd....

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