biblioteca

A biblioteca is a collection of sources and a place that provides access to books, periodicals, and other information resources for study and reading. The word derives from Greek bibliotheke, meaning "book storage," via Latin bibliotheca and Romance languages. In practice, a biblioteca may be public, academic, school, or special.

Most libraries offer lending services, reference assistance, access to digital resources, study spaces, and information literacy programs. They curate collections to reflect local languages and needs, preserve rare materials, and host events. Staff aid users in research, readers' advisory, and navigating catalogs and databases.

Libraries come in several types: public libraries serving communities; academic libraries supporting higher education; school libraries for K-12 students; national libraries preserving a country's published output; and special libraries in domains such as law, medicine, or business. Some institutions function as archives or national heritage centers.

Organization relies on cataloging and classification. Common systems include the Dewey Decimal Classification and the Library of Congress Classification, along with subject indexing and metadata standards. Modern libraries use online public access catalogs (OPACs) and digital catalogs to locate items and to manage acquisitions, holdings, and circulation.

Historically, libraries appeared in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, with significant centers in Alexandria and at medieval monasteries. The advent of printing expanded collections, and public libraries emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries. The late 20th century saw digitization, online catalogs, and the growth of digital libraries.

In the digital era, libraries provide electronic resources, e-books, and remote access; access policies vary by institution. They face challenges such as copyright, funding, digital preservation, and bridging the digital divide, yet they remain central to education, research, and cultural preservation.