Libraries, the storehouse of information resources are systematically organized and maintained by any individual, public body or institution for everybody's use. Libraries are helpful as they provide all the necessary materials for those who cannot afford to buy the required books. Libraries were initially known as archives as they used to store unpublished books and records. The first private or personal library which comprised fiction and non-fiction books made its appearance in Greece. From then onwards, libraries gained popularity and spread to almost all the corners of the world. There is nothing as convenient and useful as a library.
Libraries are classified into different categories. There can be tribal libraries, school libraries, private libraries, corporate libraries, government libraries, academic libraries or historical society libraries depending on the body that supports them. The digital libraries, data libraries, picture (photograph) libraries, slide libraries or tool libraries all are classifications based on the type of document they preserve. Libraries are categorized as architecture libraries, fine arts libraries, law libraries, medical libraries, military libraries and theological libraries depending on the subject matter which they deal with. Libraries cater to the needs of persons belonging to different backgrounds so there are libraries for the military communities as well. Apart from all these categories there are the traditional professional divisions of academic libraries, school libraries, research libraries, public libraries which are also known as public lending libraries, and special libraries.
There are different departments for the efficient running of the libraries. These departments are looked after by professionals who make it very smooth for the people availing of the library services. The circulation department looks after the accounts and the loaning or returning and shelving of the materials , technical services department deals with the cataloging and processing of new materials and deaccessioning weeded materials, reference section handles the reference desk answering the user queries, and the collection development section is related to the ordering of books and materials and maintaining budgets for the same.
Libraries have become so famous that they are sometimes even regarded as tourist spots because of their historical importance as well as for the wealth of knowledge they store.
The British Museum Reading Room, London is now a museum exhibit itself.
