Unit 2: Public Libraries: Role and Functions

1) State the six factors that caused the evolution of public libraries. 
The factors that caused the evolution of public libraries are :
i) Urge for knowledge;
ii) Literacy;
iii) Universal Public Education;
iv) Enlightened leadership and Philanthropy;
v) Rapid advancement in science and technology; and
vi) Fruitful Utilisation of Leisure.

2) Define and explain the concept of public library as per the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, 1994. 
 Definition of Public Libraries:
i) living force of education, information and culture;
ii) life long learning institution; and
iii) free to all sections of the community.

3) State the characteristic  of public libraries:
i) Socio-economic features;
ii) Politico-historical features;
iii) Educational features; and
iv) Socio-psychological features.

4. Functions of Public Libraries:
i) Serving as Centre for Information;
ii) Serving as Centre for Self-Education;
iii) Serving as Centre for Culture;
iv) Serving as Centre for Local Cultural Materials;
v) Development of understanding democratic spirit; and
vi) Being an impartial service agency.

KEY WORDS
Audio-Visual : Hearing and Seeing.
Auxiliary : Helpful, assisting, subsidiary.
Cultural Materials : Literary contributions in the form of prose, poetry, drama fiction; or contributions in fine arts like music,dance, drawing, painting and sculpture; or contributions
in philosophy, religion, history, etc.
Fatalism : Belief that all events are predetermined by arbitrary decree; sub' mission to all that happens as inevitable.
Inculcate : Urge, impress.
Innovative : Bring in novelties; make changes in.
Mass Media : Means of communicating to large number of individuals. Film, Radio and Television, etc.
Semitic : Belonging to group of the races supposed to be descendants of Jews, Arabs, Assyrians, etc.

Source: IGNOU Study Material