There are different styles of libraries that exist:
1. Public- This type of library is accessible to the public and is funded from public money. The purpose of the public library is to serve the needs of their community, this includes information, entertainment and leisure. These types of libraries are lending libraries in that patrons can temporarily check-out books and materials for a certain period of time. Public libraries offer print materials, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, e-books, video games, and access to the Internet.
2. School- This type of library is located within educational buildings. The purpose of the school library is to provide services for children. Such libraries strive to ensure all students have equitable access to book, information and information technology. These libraries differ from public libraries in that they are learner-oriented environments that support and extend the school's curriculum.
3. Academic- Similar to a school library, this type of library goes beyond secondary education. Academic libraries are a part of an institution or university The purpose of these libraries is to support the curriculum and support the research of the faculty and students.
4. Other- Additional aspects of libraries exist but aren't necessarily an entity themselves. Such parts are archives, medical libraries, government libraries, special collections, and preservation. These exist to target the specificity of certain industries. They often target a small fraction of the information at large. For example, a medical library can be housed in a hospital. Law libraries, science and engineering, music, and government libraries can exist.
History of Libraries
Sumerians are believed to have developed the first writing system around 3500 BCE. By 2700 BCE, they had established temple, private, and governmental libraries.
1876 - Melville Dewey established the first standardized classification system for libraries (DDC)
1876- the American Library Association was founded
1876- Library Journal began publication
1876- Melvin Dewey's Decimal System is published
1882 - first ALA library conference held
1887 - Dewey established the first library school at Columbia University (which has since closed down)
1905- The first library on wheels is horse-drawn wagon
1965 - MAchine Readable Coding (MARC) coding was introduced
(http://www.ibiblio.org/librariesfaq/sect2.htm)
What public library is the largest in the world?....
The New York Public Library
Where was the world's first library science school was located? .... Columbia University
What famous lover once worked as a librarian? ...
Casanova (librarian for Count Von Waldstein)
For more detailed information about the history of libraries, please visit the Encyclopedia Britannica's online.
