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Paper No : 12 Special and Research Libraries Principal Investigator Module : 06 The Emergence& of Hybrid Special Library Subject Coordinator Development Team Paper Coordinator Principal Investigator Dr. Jagdish Arora, Director & Content Writer INFLIBNET Centre, Gandhinagar Subject Coordinator Content Reviewer Prof I V Malhan Paper Coordinator Professor and Head, Central University of Himachal Pradesh Dr Anjali Gulati Content Writer Senior Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Library and Information Science, Isabella Thoburn College Prof I V Malhan Content Reviewer Professor and Head, Central University of Himachal Pradesh 1 Library and Special and Research Libraries Information Science The Emergence of Hybrid Special Library Content Reviewer Description of Module Subject Name Library and Information Science Paper Name 12 Special and Research Libraries Module Name/Title The Emergence of Hybrid Special Library Module Id LIS/SRL-T /06 Pre-requisites Objectives Keywords 2 Library and Special and Research Libraries Information Science The Emergence of Hybrid Special Library 1. Introduction At the outset, this module has been designed to highlight several components such as, the concept of different types of libraries, what is hybrid library and special library, development of hybrid library and hybrid special library, prerequisites of hybrid special library design, elements of hybrid special library design and services of hybrid special library. The topics and sub topics of the module have specially focused on evolution and expansion of hybrid library. The development of hybrid library will depends on the type of institution and rate of development varies from library to library. It has been observed for a decade that there has been a shift to more and more electronic resources, but hybrid library scenario is likely to be around for several more years (Oppenheim & Smithson, 1999). After reading this module you will be able to: Demonstrate your understanding about the evolution, expansion and multi-faceted dimensions of hybrid special library. Categorically identify and select several facets and elements before getting started with the design of a hybrid special library. Design and develop significant services of hybrid special library as per the users’ information needs. 2. Types of Libraries A library is organized and maintained by a public body, government, an institution, a corporation, or a private individual. At its core, the mission of any library is to facilitate user access to the resources contained in the library collection; however, the structure of the library differs based upon the unique needs of the patrons and the expectations of the library’s oversight organization. As libraries have evolved, the concept of information environment has changed dramatically. There are several types of library environments: traditional ones, e.g., academic, public, school, special libraries, archives; and nontraditional ones, known variously as digital, electronic or virtual, and hybrid. 2.1 Academic Libraries Academic libraries are the nerve centers of academic institutions and support the information and research needs of their faculty, students and staff; their functions are directly associated with degree granting institutions of higher education. Primarily, these libraries serve two aspects of academic institutions: to support the school’s curriculum and to support the research of faculty and students. Moreover, some academic libraries also provide services to local community by the way of making materials available to local citizens. The collection of an academic library includes books, periodicals, microforms, software, recordings, electronic formats, and multicultural materials. In the present electronic age, the resources are becoming entirely electronic thus the academic librarian is required to become proficient in searching these resources and teaching users to search these resources (electronic databases). It is also important for the academic librarian to provide proactive information services to the users, for example, developing the topical subject guides for various disciplines starting from Accounting to Women Studies. These guides usually prove to be a starting point of research (for their respective subjects) for the students and faculty. It is also interesting to note that that the websites of many academic libraries (including access to electronic databases, OPAC and subject guides) are available through 3 Library and Special and Research Libraries Information Science The Emergence of Hybrid Special Library various mobile modes, such as, smart phones and I-pad. Thus, the academic librarian has to keep up with the vibrant information needs of his/her patrons by being innovative in devising proactive information services. 2.2 School Libraries Like academic libraries, school libraries serve the students, teachers and administrative staff of their schools. The school library encourages learners to be independent lifelong learners and promotes reading as a foundational skill for learning, personal growth and enjoyment (AASL, 2012). The school library provides informational, reference and recreational materials. Typically, the collection of a school library includes books and other information sources, ranging from the fictional to the documentary and from print to electronic. Moreover, the school library also provides access to online databases (through online hosts) and online reference resources; it serves as a place for students to do independent work, access internet, use computer and research materials. It is also an excellent place for hosting special events such as author visits, book talks, and book fairs. In many schools, school libraries are staffed by librarians, teacher-librarians, or school library media specialists. The school librarian should be a professionally qualified staff member who would be competent in planning and teaching different information-handling skills to both teachers and students (IFLA, 2006). He is responsible for collection development, circulation and cataloging and also facilitates interlibrary loans, performs inventory and instructs in information literacy skills. The school librarian collaborates with classroom teachers to create independent learning by fostering students' research, information literacy, technology, and critical thinking skills. Thus, to sustain and increase knowledge and skills, the school administration should support for professional development of the school librarian. 2.3 Public Libraries Unlike an academic or school library, the public library serves the information needs of lay public. Public library provides free and equal access to information to the general public. It is primarily established by state law, supported by taxes, governed by a board and open to all (Rubin, 2004, p. 284). The fundamental services of a public library are: circulation service, reference service, electronic reference service (online, e-mail, phone), reader’s advisory service (also offered by academic library), mobile library service, children’s library service, cataloging, OPAC, interlibrary loan, homework help, development and management of digital resources and periodicals and use of internet. Public Libraries also provide several free services such as providing free internet access, training in use of the Internet, conducting preschool story times (for infants, toddlers) to encourage early literacy, providing quiet study and work areas for students and professionals, or organizing book clubs (also provided in academic library) to encourage appreciation of literature in adults. In the contemporary times, public libraries are using web 2.0 (blogs, wikis, twitter, social networking sites etc) in various ways; it is enabling the libraries become a part of people’s everyday lives. The public libraries do replicate their traditional fun programs, story times, and reader’s advisory services through blogs and wikis for all age groups. Public librarians also create podcasts, screen casts, or videos of stories in the public domain, which allow children to benefit from story time anytime. Moreover, public librarians also make themselves available to patrons at their point of need by offering synchronous reference services, ranging from providing IM reference for a few hours a day to being part of a 24/7 chat reference cooperative (Farkas, 2007). 2.4 Special libraries However, Special libraries tend to contain a smaller, more specialized collection, serve a much narrower discipline or clientele than the other types of library mentioned; they consist of a very small and specialized staff and provide restricted access (not open to public). They tend to be sponsored by private companies, government 4 Library and Special and Research Libraries Information Science The Emergence of Hybrid Special Library agencies, and organizations or associations to serve the specific information needs of their employees and members with the organization’s mission and goals in mind. Some common types of special libraries often seen include law libraries, government libraries, Engineering libraries, medical libraries, corporate libraries, museum libraries or military libraries. 2.5 Digital libraries Lastly, Digital libraries have emerged as the proliferation of digital technologies has increased. The collections of Digital library are stored in digital formats and are generally made accessible through an online interface that allows the user to search the collection; it maintains procedures