Page 57 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes programmes of oral communication for educating its illiterate clientele. The public library’s
important role in this regard and the need to prepare it adequately to discharge its role should
never be lost sight of.

3.3.4 Education of Working Groups

The library has an educational role in another sense also. It should stock books relevant to the
needs of people engaged in different vocations in its area. By reading such books they will
become better informed and educated in their areas of work and will be able to increase their
work efficiency. This will lead to greater productivity. The public library has to play a
contributory role here also.

3.3.5 Education of Physically Handicapped

The establishment of educational institutions for physically handicapped persons is a special
and mandatory responsibility of society and the government. Appropriate learning and teaching
materials are acquired by these types of institutions, such as books and other types of learning
kits for the blind, in addition to other physical facilities. Libraries attached to these institutions
have the responsibility of stocking these types of library material and help these unfortunate
persons use them and thus get them educated and rehabilitated in society.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
9. Education and library have been inseparables since centuries and civilizations.
10. On 29th December 1963 the University Grants Commission (UGC) was established in
India.
11. In formal education where the help of the teacher is minimal, it is the library that is the
main resource.

12. Literacy is only a means of education, not education –itself.

3.4 Library and Recreation

The library should cater to the recreational needs of its users by stocking books suited for the
purpose. Novels and other forms of literature, works of art, books of travels, biographies,
popular magazines, etc., are primarily books of recreation and they should have a place in every
library. Besides, libraries, especially public libraries, should organise programmes of healthy
recreation and entertainment like the performing arts, musical concerts, etc.
All over the world libraries are dedicated to providing free and equitable access to information
for all, is it in written, electronic or audio-visual form. They play a key role in creating literate
environments and promoting literacy by offering relevant and attractive reading material for
all ages and all literacy levels and by offering adult and family literacy classes. They embrace
the social responsibility to offer services that bridge social, political and economic barriers, and
traditionally make a special effort to extend their services to marginalized people. Libraries
assist in finding, using and interpreting appropriate information that opens up opportunities
for lifelong learning, literacy enhancement, informed citizenship, recreation, creative
imagination, individual research, critical thinking, and ultimately, empowerment in an
increasingly complex world.

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