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Briefly discuss the types of Libraries.

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Libraries are categorized by the purposes they serve. The main types are summarized as follows.

a) Public Libraries

Public libraries serve the general public at all levels. Their aim is to provide information over the whole range of human knowledge, promote culture and play a positive part in encouraging an active use of leisure and recreational time. Examples of public libraries are the Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) and the Macmillan Library.

b) Academic Libraries

Academic Libraries are found in various institutions of learning but with similar aims. In institutions of higher learning such as the universities, colleges, and polytechnics, their main aim is to support learning, teaching and research activities. It supports these activities by providing:

- Relevant and up to date information

- Services in a relaxed

and good atmosphere for study which are user-specific and depend on the type of the library in which the service are provided. The purposes, services, equipment and other physical facilities of these libraries are determined by the nature of the curriculum and size of the faculty and students

c) National Libraries

The main function of a national library is to ensure that all the publications of a particular country are acquired and preserved for posterity. The law requires that publishers deposit copies of all materials published in the country with the national library. National libraries also purchase books published in other countries. Other functions of a national library are:
- Production of a current bibliography
- Compile union catalogues
- Provision of national reference service
- Publishing
- Research and development in librarianship and information sciences Examples of
national libraries are the British library, Library of Congress and the Kenya National Library Services. The Kenya National Library Services serves both as a public as well as national library.

d) Special Libraries

These are libraries that serve specific subject fields. They include libraries in government ministries, parastatals, research institutes, industrial and commercial concerns ad international bodies. Examples include ICIPE, ILARD, KIE, ICRAF, AMREF, UNESCO and Bankers’ Institute Libraries.

e) Digital Libraries

These are mainly accessed through computers with Internet facilities. They store up to date information on diversified fields. Organized academic institutions provide such facilities but some charge a fee for the services. At Kenyatta University, such services are provided at the Kenyatta Virtual University (KVU) and the Cyber Café.

marto answered the question on April 2, 2019 at 05:46

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Briefly discuss the types of Libraries.

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