" A library is a collection of
sources, resources, and services, and the structure in which it is
housed; it is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an
institution, or a private individual. In the more traditional sense, a
library is a
collection
of
books.
It can mean the collection, the building or room that houses such a
collection, or both. The term "library" has itself acquired a secondary
meaning: "a collection of useful material for common use." This sense is
used in fields such as
computer science,
mathematics,
statistics,
electronics
and
biology.
It can also be used by publishers in naming series of related books,
e.g. The Library of
Anglo-Catholic Theology.
Libraries often provide a place of
silence
for studying. Public and institutional collections and services may be
intended for use by people who choose not to — or cannot afford to —
purchase an extensive collection themselves, who need material no
individual can reasonably be expected to have, or who require
professional assistance with their research. In addition to providing
materials, libraries also provide the services of
librarians
who are experts at finding and organizing information and at
interpreting information needs."
Source:
Wikipedia
Library of Congress
stats: 142 million items, 650 miles of shelves
Source:
Library of Congress |
