Archive for category Public Library

Help Others Find The Information They Are Looking For By Earning A Library Science Degree!

The role of the librarian is changing. It is true that a librarian is skillful and adept in finding the information anyone needs efficiently. The job of these information experts allows them to help a child mesmerized by science fiction to a Doctorate applicant doing research for a thesis. The librarian is the most resourceful person to seek to find information fast.

Librarians are responsible for ensuring information is verified and from quality sources. The modern version of a librarian is now tasked with helping develop a user-friendly integrated system of accurate knowledge that is readily available. Many libraries have their own databases, and they are essential to the proper maintenance of these databases.

If you are interested in a degree in library science, it is important to also consider which type of library would suit you best. Librarian jobs are categorized by the type of library facilities they work in. Some work in the school libraries of colleges, public libraries or even a library that is specifically devoted to one topic. Some librarians work directly with teachers to help them develop classroom curricula by acquiring appropriate materials and information that would facilitate lesson plans.

A library science degree can provide the appropriate education to work in libraries run by corporations, law firms, government agencies, medical centers or hospitals. A medical librarian could, for example, investigate potential new treatments for patients or circulate the results of recent clinical trials to physicians and their staff. A librarian who works for the government may be tasked with preserving records and other valuable publications that involve the historical record of decision making by government agencies. Read the rest of this entry »

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African Libraries – Museums For Artifacts!

Information Science which is primarily concerned with the analysis, collection, classification, manipulation, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information helped so much in the areas of information preservation. The need to preserve information led to the discovery of libraries. There would have been information chaos had man not come to the discovery of managing information. The word “library” came from a Greek word “liber” meaning, book. Library therefore means a collection of sources of information such as books, audio visuals, etc which are usually kept in a house.

Education which is the bedrock of any nation is dependent on information which can be sourced from the libraries. It is unfortunate that these institutions have been left for so long unattended to, thus jeopardizing information acquisition and its subsequent dissemination. Public libraries in most African countries, which could be a source of invaluable knowledge to users especially students, have over the years suffered total neglect by government at various levels. It is surprising to hear about the huge sums of money allocated to the education sector each year but there is always nothing to show for these allocations.

Because these libraries are owned and funded by the government and their uses, free for all people, adequate attention has not been given to public libraries over the years. Most public libraries do not provide the needed conducive reading environment and are not accessible to their users. Out of sheer ignorance on the parts of some countries’ Educational Ministries they do not see the library as an integral part of learning; hence most libraries today in most of these African countries are nothing more than museums for antiquities, where you readily see books of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

The criteria for selecting those who are saddled with the responsibility of manning the education ministries are a wonder to so many well-meaning people of Africa and beyond. When people who are qualified to hold such sensitive positions are put in place, things will look different in terms of overhauling, rebuilding, rehabilitating and re-equipping these libraries with up-to-date books and even computerize them. Read the rest of this entry »

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Libraries As a Resource for Writers

Libraries can be a fantastic resource for writers…if used properly. Unfortunately many writers are put off of using libraries as a research or resource tool because they aren’t too sure how best to use the resource and so hours can be wasted strolling around the library shelves. But there is a way to use libraries effectively and efficiently.

Finding a library the ‘works’ for you: You firstly have to decide which library or libraries would work best for you and for your needs. When drawing up a list of potential libraries or narrowing down your search for your ‘local’ library you need to first think about what sort of material each of your potential candidate libraries stock.

Public libraries allow free access to all, they almost if not all of their material open on their shelves for every budding writer to use. However the scope of their resource will vary. Most of them excel in the amount of stock or resource they have that relates to their own local area or history. That’s great if the book or manuscript you’re working on is in some way linked to your local area or history…not so great if you are working on a different subject matter all together.

Research libraries are often attached to Universities or other research-led establishments. Whilst the scope of information they hold is likely to be much greater than that found in smaller, local public libraries, research libraries often operate with restricted access. It may be that you need to be a student at that particular University for example before you can gain access. Don’t be afraid to ask for access however, as you may find that if you explain your visit is for research purposes for the book you are writing or if you pay a small fee, access will be granted! Read the rest of this entry »

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