Global Health and Library
29.05.2017
The collection and storage of knowledge and information is a practice as old as civilization, and some evidence exist to support this. Over 5,000 years ago, approximately 30,000 clay tablets which contained information sources were found in ancient Mesopotamia. Also, papyrus scrolls, from 1300-1200BC and clay tablets, from 704-681BC have been uncovered by Archeologists in ancient cities of Egypt and Assyria respectively.
In recent times, the method of collecting and storing information has changed, and the term, Library is used to represent this practice. By definition, a Library is a collection or group of collections of educative resources and repositories organized in a variety of formats. Libraries may also refer to buildings, rooms, facilities or just cabinets that contain a collection of books or other print or non-print materials, periodicals, films and music organized and maintained for use (entertainment, study, research, etc.) within, or for borrowing. They are found in communities, institutions and homes and can be classified as either public or private. Sometimes, the room, building, or facility that houses a library is not necessarily built for that purpose but merely provides access to a collection of information sources.
Librarians are information professionals and other experts who are trained to provide convenient physical, digital, bibliographic or intellectual access to the people who use the library. Institutional libraries, such as university and school libraries, designed for a specific audience are staffed by librarians and other personnel trained to provide services that meet the needs of users. They mange and offer specific services or assistance with the purpose of educating, informing and entertaining various audiences who need the library and require their support.
Libraries are built or created for the goal of inspiring individual learning and creativity as well as advancing societies as a whole. They are usually the only easily available source of comprehensive information essential for personal and professional development. Libraries are important sources of information for all sectors of the society and areas of life including health, socio-economic, environmental, physical and spiritual. They are particularly important for research, knowledge acquisition and information sharing. Communities benefit when members use library resources to make smart business decisions, improve job skills and develop their talents because these actions create empowered citizens and pave ways that enrich the economy. Furthermore, libraries can act as community and cultural centers where struggling or depressed neighbors and colleagues can meet people and revitalize themselves, thereby improving the quality of life.
The directory containing information on libraries is available in an alphabetical order by country in World Guide to Libraries, published by K.G. Saur. Two of the comprehensive worldwide online directories of library homepages are Libdex and Libweb.