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Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
6. ………………… bibliographies include past publications over a period of time, while
current ones confine only to current publications.

7. ………………. bibliographies are usually compiled on request from scholars and
institutions on current topics, most of which may be short and selective.
8. Preparation and production of national bibliographies of books and periodicals and other
non-print materials, in printed and/or microforms and machine readable forms is other
formation of the …………………….. library.
9. The Indian Science Abstracts, a record of current literature in Indian science, prepared
from the journals and other documents received by the National Science Library, is being
brought out by the …………………………...
10. National library procures and preserves ……………………….

9.3 Descriptive Account of a Few National Libraries

A library which performs the functions and activities mentioned in the earlier section of this
unit will necessarily have to be at the centre of the nation’s bibliographical activities. Against
this background, profiles of the national libraries of India, the United States of America and
United Kingdom are given below:

9.3.1 National Library of India

The Constitution of India provides for the establishment of a National Library under article 62
of the VII Schedule of the Union List, and declared it as an institution of National importance.
Historical Background

Libraries existed ever since mankind started keeping records of events, activities and
achievements, although they were not necessarily the same as we conceive them today.

First Phase (1835-1903): Calcutta Public Library

Calcutta Public Library was established in 1836. It was not a Government institution. It ran on a
proprietary basis. Any subscriber paying ` 300 at one time or in three instalments was considered
a proprietor. Poor students and others were allowed to use the library free of charge for a
specified period of time. The then Governor General, Lord Metcalf transferred 4,675 volumes
from the library of the College of Fort William to the Calcutta Public Library. These volumes
and donations of books from individuals formed the nucleus of the library. Dwarkanath Tagore
was the first proprietor of Calcutta Public Library.

Notes Both Indian and foreign books, especially from Britain, were purchased for the
library. In the report of 1850, we find that the library has started collecting books in
Gujarati, Marathi, Pali, Simhalese and Punjabi. Donations were regularly received from
individuals and from the Government of Bengal and North Western Provinces.

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