Public libraries and their role in modern society: Comments of the reviewer

Every social activity of modern society is an institutionalized. Between the diverse kinds of institutions advanced in present era, public libraries remain the utmost widespread as they acquire, process, organize and disseminate information recorded in various kinds of documents free of cost to the society in large. Public library acts as a social institution of rudimentary knowledge having a task, which evolves in giving collection and services to meet informational needs of the community. It serves as local gateway to information and knowledge and provides conditions for lifelong learning, civic growth and free choice making by an individual and group. It has a mission of providing information for education, leisure and recreation. Thus, public library and its multiple services are essential to achieve the all-round social development, improve the quality of social life, preserve and disseminate the cultural heritage of society. As Indian society is a polyglot and has a very diverse culture, it is very much important for wisdom of veneration and concern for other linguistic and cultural assemblages is vital to reinforce the harmony in diversity. Public library should require addressing itself in establishing purposes and gathering of diverse social groups to provide outlet to the ambition and charities of diverse philosophies.