Library Definition and R.A. 9246

Study Notes

A library is an organized collection of materials for use (Feather and Struges). It's a physical space containing books and other materials for easy access.
R.A. 9246 defines a librarian as someone holding a Certificate of Registration and Professional Identification Card issued by the Professional Regulatory Board for Librarians and the Professional Regulation Commission.

Traditional: Librarians were curators of collections, providing conditional access.
Modern: Librarians manage information resources, selecting, processing, and providing access through various channels to diverse users (local and remote). They are mediators of information access.
Gorman's Definition: Librarians select and acquire resources, organize and provide access, preserve and conserve materials, offer user services and training, and manage.

Librarianship: The application of theories, principles, tools, and techniques in information-service activities, including collection, preservation, organization, management, and access to recorded information (Harrod's Librarians Glossary).
Library Science: The profession of a librarian; an interdisciplinary field applying management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries, including collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources, and the political economy of information. Often uses the term "Library and Information Science" (LIS).

Library customers: Users who purchase services.
Clients: Emphasizes the user-professional advisor relationship, with a duty owed to the user.
Patrons: (UK) Similar to "customer" with less currency among users; in British English it means a sponsor or supporter.
Readers: Highlights the library's role in providing reading materials and a place to read.
Members: Suggests ownership but less appropriate in commercially-oriented libraries.

Agent: The library acts on behalf of the user, finding and repackaging information.
Guide: Helps users find useful information and access, focusing on learning processes.
Mediator: Protects users from unstructured resources by interpreting needs and selectively providing materials.
Broker: Uses expertise to acquire information for users; includes advertising and marketing.
Gateway: The library acts as an entrance to information sources.