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Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes Describe the purpose and functions of College Libraries
Discuss the purpose and functions of University Libraries

Introduction

In the previous unit, we dealt with the concept, purpose, elements and functions of Public
Library. Use of books for reading and reference is an integral part of learning, teaching and
research. Libraries in schools and colleges provide facilities for students and teachers to read
books or consult them for reference, thus widening the scope of classroom learning and teaching.
University libraries provide additional facilities for higher learning, research and dissemination
of knowledge. The purpose of this unit is to enable the students to comprehend basic expressions.
At the end of this unit, you should be able to understand the definition, purpose and function of
Academic Libraries along with the purpose and functions of School, College and University
Libraries.

7.1 Academic Libraries in India

Education is a process of learning, with the aim to develop the capabilities in the people at all
levels. In this process schools, colleges and universities play a vital role. The present educational
system in India comprises both academic and professional studies by offering courses leading to
bachelors and master’s degrees. India has a large higher education system. The growth rate of
educational institutions in India was very slow before independence in 1947. Today there are a
total of 237 universities, including 116 general universities, 12 science and technology universities,
7 open universities, 33 agricultural universities, 5 women’s universities, 1 language universities
and 11 medical universities along with 12,600 colleges that provide education in all disciplines.
The number of teachers is 3.1 million, and 7.8 million students are enrolled in higher education.
Education aims to impart knowledge and makes good citizens. Libraries are the repositories of
knowledge and form an integral part of education. Libraries have a long history, starting with
the chained and closed-access libraries of earlier times to the present-day hybrid, digital, and
virtual libraries that use the latest technology for provision of information through various
services. Accordingly, librarians have also changed from storekeepers who were concerned
with protection of books against theft, mutilation, and pilferage, to that of information officers,
navigators, and cybrarians who find themselves in the vast ocean of reading material and are
busy in satisfying their clients who want anytime and anywhere information.

In the last fifty years, the educational system has been reviewed by high powered commissions
set up by the Government of India at different times, in order to introduce appropriate measures
to improve the quality of education and make it more relevant to the country’s requirements. In
recent years, the government has been very much concerned with educational reforms, especially
at the school level. The nation adopted a new educational policy in 1986 in order to provide the
best education to our children, wherein we are in tune with our national heritage as well as
modern with advances in science, technology and management.
In all these efforts to modernize our educational system, libraries and self-learning have been
considered vital components and integral parts of the entire educational process. Considerable
thought and attention have been given to the planning and development of academic libraries
and self-learning at all levels. As principal instruments of the modern educational system; there
is, however, still scope for improvement in terms of their effectiveness.

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