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Unit 9: National Libraries

9.3.3 British Library Notes

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is more than just a library.
It has the world’s leading resources for scholarship, research and innovation, with incomparable
collection, and expertise of staff. It occupies a central position in the library and information
network of UK. It reflects the intellectual, cultural and socio-economic life of the country. The
library aims to serve scholarship, research and development, industry, commerce and all other
major users of information. Its services are based on the wealth of materials collected by the
British Library System.

Objectives

The British Library was created with an aim to provide the best possible central library services
for the country. The objectives of the British Library:

Preserving and making available for reference at least one copy of every, book and
periodical of domestic origin and of as many overseas publications as possible. The aim
will be to provide as comprehensive a reference service as possible. If a reader cannot get
what he wants near at hand, he will know he can find it in the British Library.
Providing an efficient central lending and photocopying service in support of other libraries
and information systems of the country; and
Providing central cataloguing and other bibliographic services related not only to the
needs of the central libraries but to those of libraries and information centres throughout
the country, in close cooperation with central libraries overseas.

Functions

To achieve these objectives, the British Library Act specifies the functions of the British Library.
In short, the functions are as follows:

The British Library shall constitute a comprehensive collection of books, manuscripts,
periodicals; films and the recorded matter, whether printed or otherwise;

The library shall act as a National Centre for reference, study and bibliographical and
other information services in relation to scientific and technological matters and to the
humanities; and
The services of the Library shall be available in particular to institution of education and
learning, other libraries and industry.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
11. Calcutta Public Library was established in 1846.
12. The National Library became a department of the Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
13. The Library is organised on a functional basis.
14. The majority of books are in foreign languages.
15. The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom.

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