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Unit 9: National Libraries

9.4 Summary Notes

National libraries have originated, grown and developed in the last two or three centuries.
Almost all countries of the world today, have a national library, representing or reflecting
their cultural, literary, socio-economic, scientific and technological advancements.
A National Library keeps all documents of and about a nation under some legal provision
and thus represents publications of and about the whole nation.

The early characteristics of these National Libraries were that they were the focal points of
the nation in each country.

Historical traditions, socio-economic, scientific and technological developments have
determined the nature of emerging National Libraries.
Both Indian and foreign books, especially from Britain, were purchased for the library.

The National Library became a department of the Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
The National Library has some notable gift collections which have enriched its holdings
considerably.
The National Library has exchange relations with 170 institutions in 56 countries all over
the world, and with a number of institutions within the country.
The National Library extends its services through its various reading rooms, lending
section, bibliography and reference divisions.

The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. which is at present considered as the national
library of the United States of America, was originally created to serve the U.S. Congress.
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom.

9.5 Keywords

Bibliography: A bibliography is a list of books, articles, and other sources you use when
researching a topic and writing a paper.
Current bibliographies: Current bibliographies are usually compiled on request from scholars
and institutions on current topics, most of which may be short and selective.
Journals: A journal is a scholarly publication containing articles written by researchers,
professors and other experts.

Manuscripts: A manuscript is any document written by hand, as opposed to being printed or
reproduced in some other way.
Microforms: Microforms are any forms, either films or paper, containing micro reproductions
of documents for transmission, storage, reading, and printing.
National Library: A national library is a library specifically established by the government of
a country to serve as the preeminent repository of information for that country.
Publications: Communication of a message, statement, or text through any means: audio, video,
print, electronically as an e-book or on the web.
Reader: A person who reads or who is fond of reading.
Retrospective bibliographies: Retrospective bibliographies include past publications over a
period of time, while current ones confine only to current publications.

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