Page:ABC of Library Science.pdf/28

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14 provide facilities to improve their knowledge in the respective fields of their specialization. This is the primary duty of a librarian. In other words the book selection should be based on the wants of individual readers. A school library should contain not only the prescribed text books but also all other useful re- ference and relevant books in various branches of learning. Similarly, a public library should also contain books of general interest as well as infor- mative literature. As "books are for all", and "as the interests of the people vary in multitudinous ways", all useful books in all branches of knowledge should be found in a public library. Then only every individual will feel that his interest has not been overlooked and thus will make the maximum use of the library. Classics required by scholars should find a proper place along with popular bocks written in a simple style. Children's interest should not be lost sight of. Books printed in bold type and with plenty of illustrations should be made available to the children. The supreme advantage of this law "Books for all" came to be recognised only after the advent of democracy. In a democratic country, as we know, every citizen should have an equal opportunity to continue his self education all through his life with the help of libraries. Hence library service should be extended even to the in-patients of hospitals, to the prisoners in jails, to the sailors in ships and to the blind. In order to provide books for one and all, the second law visualizes that the library provision of a nation should be placed on a statu- words this law would plead for the passing of a library Act for the provision tory basis. In other