libraries

A library is an institution that collects, preserves, and provides access to a curated collection of information resources and services. Libraries host books, journals, media, and increasingly digital materials, offering spaces for study and collaboration as well as reference assistance, information literacy training, and community programs.

There are several types of libraries, including public libraries serving broad communities; academic libraries serving colleges and universities; school libraries for primary and secondary education; and special libraries that support specific organizations such as government agencies, hospitals, or corporations. National libraries preserve a country’s documentary heritage and national bibliographies.

Operations include collection development, cataloging, and metadata creation, and circulation management. Materials are organized using classification schemes such as Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress. Services commonly include reference and research assistance, interlibrary loan, digital lending, archives and special collections, and catalog search interfaces.

The modern library traces its roots to ancient temples and monasteries and expanded with public lending in the 19th and 20th centuries. The digital era has introduced online catalogs, e-books, digital repositories, and open access resources, broadening access beyond physical buildings.

Libraries contribute to education, information literacy, and equitable access to knowledge. They face funding pressures, copyright and licensing challenges, privacy concerns, and the need to preserve digital formats while adapting to changing user needs.