Libraries fall into a number of categories-each different purpose and readership. These include:

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Funded and managed by the Department of Education and Culture to encourage reading, are usually housed in vast buildings, with many different sections. They run a range of services for the public, including a mobile lending library and smaller area branches.

ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

In universities, colleges, schools polytechnics offer services to staff and students, and special cases to outsiders-mostly other academicians and researchers.

SPECIALIST LIBRARIES

Often attached to research institutions, or catering to a specific readership, concentrate on particular subjects like engineering, medicine, art, music or types of books such as Braille or children's books.

ARCHIVES

Contain public records and documents of historical importance.

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Usually of a department, club institution or organization, sometimes owned by an individual or family, used only by members or employees.

NEWSPAPERS/NEWS AGENCIES

Keep indexed records of their own stories and articles, as well as those from other journals, for the reference of their writing and editorial staff.

INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

Require good information on which to base decisions. Collections are usually specific to the organization's areas of operation.

INFORMATION CENTRES

Set up by foreign missions in various cities, to promote understanding of their country's culture.