Keywords

Internet, Electronic Devices, Library, Libraries Types, Libraries Benefits.

Introduction

Now only 35 to 55 users come to any library per day, before that the number of users coming daily was close to 100+. Today, especially after COVID-19, people have become disillusioned with the library due to the increasing trend of the Internet and the rush of life. Instead of going to the library, people now find it easier to read books on mobile. At the same time, the elderly have also started avoiding going to the library by not going to the library and reading their favorite books - newspapers on computers and Android mobiles only.

It can also be seen that today a student has to prepare for competition. It becomes difficult to find the books related to preparation in the library. The main reason for this is that now many apps related to books are downloaded on mobile itself. Which are easily available on play store or Google from that they read and save whatever is necessary on the mobile itself. Who always stays with you.

When it was tried to find out why people's interest in going to the library and reading books, magazines, news papers etc. is decreasing, then very shocking results came out, that due to the rapid growth of this part of life and electronic devices, TV etc. With the increasing trend, now people prefer to go to the library only when they get time. Now there are many apps related to books on mobile itself. In that, they read the books and copy what they think is necessary and save it in the mobile. Who always stays with you?

A fact also came to the fore that people were fond of reading books 15-20 years ago, but now it is difficult to buy them due to rising prices of books as well as time. Now from books to newspapers can be read on mobile only.

Another fact came to the fore that earlier people had to go to the library for books, but now there are many such apps/websites available on mobile/laptop in which books ranging from courses to competition can be read. Now there is no need to buy books nor run to the library.

Assume that the number of people coming to the library has decreased in comparison to the previous days. Earlier, where around several hundred people used to come daily, now only thirty to forty people are coming every day. But at the same time, many other shocking facts also came to the fore that many people still prefer to read the West Source Book with their hands. The fun of reading with paper in hands does not come on mobile or laptop devices.

They say that reading a digital book or a news paper on the device is not that fun that comes in a real book or news paper. Along with this, people also say that reading on a digital device has a bad effect on eyes and health.

It is clear from all these types of facts that whatever is served on mobile or computer through internet in an effective manner, but the pleasure or satisfaction of reading book and news paper or magazine in hand. Not so with these devices.

But this should not mean at all that the importance or existence of the library is slowly dying out. But it should also not be forgotten that during the two-year Covid-19 pandemic period or due to the ban on all public sector by the government, its use has definitely decreased.

And this condition has happened not only in the library but also for all those public systems where there was a ban on gathering of people in large numbers. Whether it is a public library, or public transport, school, college, cinema hall, market etc. But now after about two years, all these public sectors are slowly returning to their old times.

Although the Library is different from all these public issues. It has its own importance. But it should also not be forgotten that the worst effect of this epidemic is big on cinema halls and libraries.

The way people continued their entertainment by moving away from cinema halls to digital devices such as mobile, laptop, TV, through various types of websites, apps, games and continues till now. In the same way, the library has also managed to maintain its existence through e-newspapers, e-magazines, e-books, e-journals etc. to the people through online.

But there is a different pleasure of reading in the library by sitting peacefully among the books. We all know this thing. Despite this, the question arises whether people's fascination with the library has really started decreasing.

Due to this it becomes necessary to know the facts that after all the library which was once considered to be revered and a storehouse of knowledge and where all of us gave a lot of time of our life and achieved the best. Now what has happened that people are shying away from going to the library?

Knowing this and making it accessible to the people has also become very important because we all know that without the library our knowledge and goals will remain incomplete. Something better has to be done to make the concepts of the library last for our future generations in a better way?

Introduction to Library

A library is a place where a collection of various types of knowledge, information, sources, services, study material, etc., resides. It’s called Library or ‘house of books’.The word library is derived from the Latin word 'liver', which means 'inner bark of plants'. Which was used for writing work in ancient times. The word 'Bibliotheca' was used for the library in Roman and other languages. Which originated from the Greek word ‘Bibliotheca’.

Definition of Library

According to Dr. S.R. Ranganthan - “A Library is a public institution or establishment charged with the care of collection of books, the duty of making them accessible to those who require the use of them and the task of converting every person in it’s neighborhood into a habitual library goers and reader of books.”

According to Webster’s New World Dictionary and Thesaurus – “A collection of books, periodicals, musical scores, films, phonograph records etc., esp. a large, systematically arranged collections is kept.”

According to Encarta: World English Dictionary – “Place where books are kept the room, building, or institution where a collection of books or other research materials is kept.”

Types of Library

There are many types of libraries. In today's era the format and type of library has changed. Today many types of libraries are seen:

The first type of libraries are in schools, colleges and universities, ‘academic libraries’ is called. Only students and teachers benefit from these libraries. Students get a lot of help from these libraries in education dissemination and knowledge enhancement, especially poor students who are unable to buy books; they benefit a lot from these libraries Ranganathan (1931); Kishore (2014).

The second type of libraries is 'private libraries'. Knowledge-loving rich people spend lakhs of rupees to collect books according to their interest and requirement. Only a few people are able to benefit from these libraries. Most of the lawyers, spokespersons, doctors, etc. Highly educated persons get such libraries built in their big cells Jain (1996); Neufeldt (1994).

A other type new library service concept has been added to this private library. Today we see that many people have started giving reading room service in the name of library. They charge a hefty fee from the users just for sitting and these facilities run 7x24. You must have also seen this type of library around you or near the University Campus.

The third type of libraries is 'state libraries', which are controlled by the government. These libraries are in big buildings, but the general public does not get any benefit from these libraries because only a limited number of people have access to these libraries Wiersema (1999).

The fourth type of libraries is 'public libraries'. The maximum benefit comes from these libraries because anyone can study in these libraries. Whether it is sitting there or by bringing the books home or by saying that they are borrowed or issued, they can be read. Such libraries are quite huge and books on almost all subjects are stored here. Here books are very expensive and priceless. Books can be borrowed for a couple of days, a whole week or even fifteen to twenty days by making a membership card from here.Public libraries also have reading rooms.

The fifth type of libraries is 'movable libraries'. Such libraries are now rarely found in our country. The place of these libraries is in a moving vehicle. These types of libraries go to different places and give information about new literature to the public.

The Need, Importance and Benefits of Libraries thorough for Future Generations

Today we can say that in this changed era, especially after this Covid-19 pandemic, the concepts of the Library have changed completely. Today people have very little time. The main reason for this has become our running life. This internet age has absorbed the whole world in our mobile, laptop or device’s. Today every man wants that every information should be with him as soon as he pinches.

Use and Importance of Internet in Libraries

However, in this two-year lockdown period, the important role of internet was appreciated all over the world. The people associated with the academic field were benefited from the excellent service sitting at home through the library, which is still available and continues in the form of various types of library services. Whether they are e-books, e-newspapers, e-magazines, e-articles, or academic information database links. People from almost all countries all over the world must have received this type of Libraries service.

In modern times, Internet technology is being used by libraries to provide information to their users, libraries are facilitating in providing many services through Internet. We can see the importance of internet in library service in this way : articles search, catalogues (OPAC) search, fast information connectivity, commercial transactions, community information, message exchange through e-mail, combination of home page.

Thus we see that a lot of development of library service is possible through the use of internet. There are several resources or directories available to guide the proper use of Internet resources in libraries. Information services designed to empower library and information professionals are available in various forms. Through this the Internet resources can be used efficiently by the library.

Why is a Library Important?

Today, with the passage of time, the need and importance of a library is changing. Even in this internet and digital age, the library has its own distinct role. Through library we can do self-purification and self-refinement. By studying in a solitary and quiet environment, one can easily acquire the gems of knowledge. Due to today's inflation or even due to lack of money, we cannot buy all the books. Then even at home that atmosphere of study is not created which can be felt by sitting in the library.

Nevertheless, Libraries have their own innumerable benefits and advantages. It is an infinite storehouse of knowledge. The library is such a medium, where the pure stream of knowledge always flows. Ramchandra Shukla had said about the usefulness of libraries – “We cannot know a great man through books as much as his friends and sons can know.” Books related to different languages, religions, subjects, scientific inventions and historical facts are available only in the library at one place.

The books you want can be studied through libraries by paying a nominal fee or by getting free membership. It is because of libraries that higher education and special abilities in any subject like Ph.D. and the students who got the degree of D.Lit. etc. spend most of their time in these libraries.

Along with studying, we also get enough entertainment by going to the libraries. Here we can make good use of our leisure moments. Sitting in the library encourages study ethic, as well as leads to intensive study.

Then famous people had said about the importance of books and libraries, "Libraries, in the past, the present, and the future, are the memory and workshop of humanity."- Christian Lauersen.

"Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world."- Jeanette Winterson.

References

1. Ranganathan, S.R. (1931). The five laws of library science. Madras Library Association (Madras, India) and Edward Goldston (London, UK).
2. Kishore, A. (2014). Library and Information science Q&A. Fast Print Publication. Bhagalpur. 
3. Jain, M.K., & Jain, N.K. (1996). Library Manual: Practical Approach to Management. Shipra Publications.
4. Neufeldt, V., & Guralnik, D.B. (1994). Webster's new world dictionary of American English. Prentice Hall.
5. Wiersema, J.H., & León, B. (1999). World economic plants: a standard reference. CRC press.