What is it that I think makes for a good general purpose library ( as opposed to specialised ones ):
* a good collection of general purpose books
* a good range of general purpose journals/ newspapers
* a knowledgeable and helpful staff
* a cheerful staff
* minimum bureaucracy and red tape in library management
* member - library management interaction on a regular basis
* other extension programmes of the library - kids corner, CDs, DVDs, adult education, braille and other services, visiting authors, writer's workshops etc
* ability to do interlibrary loans ( perhaps to a lesser extent than the scientific library)
* housed in a airy, naturally well lit building with great ambiance
* should feel comfortable using the library i.e not get harassed on the premises
* enough funds to get new books on a regular basis
* showcase a range of authors/ opinions /publishers
* cosy
What I think makes for a good scientific library :
* a good collection of general books on science and technology - appealing to the general reader as well as specialised
* a good collection of special interest books - especially those with relevance to the areas of work conducted in the city
* the ability to do interlibrary loans with great libraries around the world
* subscription to a range of online journal services thus providing the best and most current online information to scientists / techies. Will not do to have Nature arriving 3 weeks after publication. Now a days most people active in the field look at prepublication online articles.
* a staff well - versed in managing such a library
* cheerful and helpful staff
* minimal bureaucracy and red tape in library management
*other extension programmes - IT centre, lectures by local, national and international scientists - at both specialist as well as popular level, kids corner, special interest or general interest courses, outreach to schools, rural areas, research centers in other cities
* management with member- library interaction
* enough funds to get new books on a periodic basis
* should not be harassed on premises
* housed in airy, naturally lit building with comfortable seating
These are just some thoughts - I don't see the British libraries being able to fulfil all of these criteria. Maybe we should think in terms of a split - two libraries being created along the proposed guidelines. See where the British Council can continue to help the city and the state in this regard- by allocating funds, training staff, help acquire books, journals, subscription to online journals, running their education service. So they become part of the greater library project as opposed to the people who run the library. Others too can be involved in the library project - Singapore Library, Commonwealth and so on.
AG
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2 comments:
Am in total agreement about the requirements of a general purpose library, as outlined by AG. Everything has been thought of. It is also now clear that neither the University Library nor the Public Library, good as they are, will qualify as "good general purpose" libraries.
The next step is to make this dream a reality. Government help is needed but it should not stifle the project.
Let's see what ideas come up this evening when we meet.
General pupose library is a good idea.
I presume that the difference is only the Profile of Collections and its availability in electronic media too.
The other charecteristics of the two options are mostly the same.
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