Role of libraries in access of information and freedom of expression- challenges and prospects

It is beyond any doubt that the functions of the libraries are diverse, but essentially they all refer to providing information access, encouraging literacy, education and intellectual development of individual and society, preservation of cultural and documentary heritage and support of cultural development. Since it is a period of freedom of information, there is the need for libraries and librarians to use adequate methods to store information in order to enable libraries to carry out their traditional functions of disseminating information for education, study and public service. The present paper focuses on the use of libraries as centres that provide affordable and meaningful access to information and on reorienting libraries towards effective participation in the process of free access to information and freedom of expression despite its possible numerous challenges.