Libraries have been created since ancient times. People quickly realized the value of recorded information, the need to store and reproduce it. Modern libraries differ from each other in the size of storage funds, budget and purpose. There are several main types of these institutions.
Instructions
Step 1
State libraries. All significant printed products of the country are accumulated here, for example, the Library of Congress in the United States or the Russian State Library. State libraries are established by the authorities. In Russia, this type of institution also includes: federal libraries, libraries of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, libraries of ministries and other federal executive bodies.
Step 2
Scientific libraries are located, for the most part, in educational institutions. They provide students and teachers with the necessary materials, help in the learning process and in research work. Scientific libraries differ greatly from each other in terms of the number of collections. These can be very modest book depositories in small colleges, and huge libraries in major research centers like Harvard or Moscow State University.
Step 3
Public libraries are created to serve the widest possible audience. Funding for them comes mainly from the local budget. Public libraries aim to meet the needs of the people. Various thematic events are often held here, sometimes you can even get advice on legal issues. Such institutions are designed to ensure free access of citizens to cultural values.
Step 4
School libraries are created by local education authorities and provide students and teachers with all the necessary material.
Step 5
Specialized libraries serve specialists and related enterprises of a narrow focus. For example, the All-Russian State Library of Foreign Literature. In recent years, it has become a real cultural center, taking on a number of peripheral functions for the library.
Step 6
Libraries for the blind provide access to information for the blind and visually impaired. The books are typed here in a special embossed Braille, and there is also a large number of audiobooks in various media. In addition to literature, libraries for the blind have a large collection of volumetric models that allow visually impaired people to recognize the appearance of various objects.
Step 7
Electronic libraries have appeared relatively recently, namely in 1971 the Gutenberg project was launched. The first electronic library on the Russian Internet was a project by Maxim Moshkov. Every year, thanks to the development of technology, the number of visitors to electronic libraries is growing steadily. This leads to the fact that many well-known libraries have created their electronic versions. Now you can visit the US Library of Congress without leaving your home.
