| A '''library''' is a collection of sources, resources, and services, and the [[structure]] in which it is housed: it is organized for use and maintained by a [[public]] [[body]], an [[institution]], or a [[private]] [[individual]]. In the more [[tradition]]al sense, a library is a collection of [[books]]. The term can mean the collection, the building that houses such a collection, or both. | | A '''library''' is a collection of sources, resources, and services, and the [[structure]] in which it is housed: it is organized for use and maintained by a [[public]] [[body]], an [[institution]], or a [[private]] [[individual]]. In the more [[tradition]]al sense, a library is a collection of [[books]]. The term can mean the collection, the building that houses such a collection, or both. |
| Public and institutional collections and services may be intended for use by people who choose not to — or cannot afford to — purchase an extensive collection themselves, who need [[material]] no individual can reasonably be expected to have, or who require professional assistance with their [[research]]. However, with the sets and collection of media and of media other than books for storing [[information]], many libraries are now also repositories and access points for maps, prints, or other documents and various storage media such as microform (microfilm/microfiche), audio tapes, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, and DVDs. Libraries may also provide public facilities to access subscription databases and the Internet. | | Public and institutional collections and services may be intended for use by people who choose not to — or cannot afford to — purchase an extensive collection themselves, who need [[material]] no individual can reasonably be expected to have, or who require professional assistance with their [[research]]. However, with the sets and collection of media and of media other than books for storing [[information]], many libraries are now also repositories and access points for maps, prints, or other documents and various storage media such as microform (microfilm/microfiche), audio tapes, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, and DVDs. Libraries may also provide public facilities to access subscription databases and the Internet. |