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• A Library provides information resources in the form of books, journals, newspapers, magazines, videos, DVDs and other types of media. A library is usually one of 4 types, public library, medical library, school library or special library. Libraries can be found in every continent of the world and in every major country; most are organized around a system or network of other libraries. For example, public libraries in the United States are usually part of a system of libraries within each state.

• Background

  Libraries were organized to hold the written information of humankind and to ensure that information was preserved for future generations. Public libraries have existed in various forms since ancient times. The Great Library of Alexandria was established in approximately 300 BCE. In its time, the Great Library was the largest organized library in the world.http://www.history-magazine.com/libraries.html Today the Library of Congress in the United States is the largest library in the world. http://www.loc.gov/about/

  []Medical libraries]] may be found in hospitals and or medical schools. Medical libraries are not as common now as they have been in the past; many hospitals have discontinued their libraries. School libraries include those in elementary though high school, as well as community college and university libraries. Special libraries are those that do not fit into any other category, such as corporate libraries. A museum is different from a library, but the name library is occasionally applied to a museum, as is the case with presidential libraries which are actually museums. With the advance of technology and the Internet, there are now digital libraries and online libraries.

• Fast Facts

  1. Debut: Libraries have existed in various forms since ancient times http://www.history-magazine.com/librarie...
  2. Number sold/in use: Millions of libraries, in every major country of the world http://www.history-magazine.com/librarie...
  3. Fact 5: Library of Congress is currenlty the largest library in the world http://www.loc.gov/about/

• Uses

  • Providing information for current and future generations.
  • Social gathering place in many communities
  • Preserves books and other types of media

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Library of Congress | How to become a librarian | How to become a school librarian | Librarything | How to get a library card

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