The common basic purpose of work in any library is to ensure that relevant information is available and used effectively.

Nature Of Work

All library activities center on the acquiring, organizing and dissemination of information. Specific duties depend on the type of library and position held.

Major Tasks Performed

A wide range of tasks is covered by these broad areas, and include:

ACQUIRING

Keeping in touch with the latest developments in various subjects; maintaining a balanced collection, or seeking out specialist literature; selection and purchase of materials within a given budget.

ORGANISING

Classification; cataloguing; storage; record keeping; shelving; and maintenance of books and materials in the library.

DISSEMINATION

Includes routine work like answering queries; accessing requisitions; issuing and receiving books
well as planning and organizing activities to encourage use of the library like inviting a children's author to read stories to young members, or issuing a newsletter to keep readers in touch with new acquisitions.
Besides these, the planning and coordination of the library's financial operations are also important and essential tasks performed.

Specialist Areas

Librarians/information scientists can also specialize in areas such as administration; bibliography; abstraction; translation; technical writing-including consolidation and repacking of information; computation and evaluation of data; compilation of union catalogues; and reprography (reproduction by photocopying).