FORMAT OF LIBRARY INFORMATION MATERIALS

The fundamental purpose of library is to acquire process, store, preserve and disseminate information in all its varied forms to meet user’s needs. Formerly large part of the collection was formed by print (handwritten) materials, but today’s libraries include a variety of material print and non- print sources.

Why do we need a variety of resources in the library? These varieties of media have been included in libraries because their characteristics enable library users to acquire information according to his or her; own ability, interest and needs.

Types of library materials:

Information acquired by users appears in a variety of formats such as: books, serials, maps, compact disks, etc. 

These formats are collectively called information packages or information carrier.

The broad categories of information formats are:-

PRINT MEDIA: These are printed texts and they include books, pamphlets, serials, etc.

MANUSCRIPT: these are handwritten or transcript of any kind (Boadi, 1988). They include letters, minutes of meetings.

CARTOGRAPHIC MEDIA: These are geographical references sources of information. These are materials representing the whole or part of the earth surface or any celestial body at any surface. They include two and three dimensional objects such as Atlas, globes and plans

Map is a flat representative of a whole or part of the earth surface and celestial bodies.

Types of maps.

Political maps are the one that shows the government boundaries of the states or countries

Physical maps are that shows physical features such as mountains, rivers, valleys, plateaus, etc

Thematic maps are the one that shows theme oriented.

Additional

Topical map it shows the vegetation, population, economic activities of a place.

Globes: It is similar to a map, but this one appears in a spherical shape representing the whole or part of the earth surface or celestial body. I t has also categories under maps.

Plan: Is a drawing of a building, bridge, etc. Its includes; measurements, layout of walls, windows, etc

GRAPHIC MEDIA

This is the generic term for; photographs, drawings, charts, postcards, posters, slides, filmstrips, realia, transparencies, etc. Those which can be viewed without projectors are; photographs, drawings charts, posters, and poster cards. Those projected without motion by means of optical devices are: filmstrips, slides and transparencies.

Picture; embraces photographs, paintings, drawings and posters

Realia; real objects example games, puzzle, specimen, toys, models.

Photograph; an image of an object taken by the use of electronic gadgets such as camera.

Filmstrip; a series of photographic films, each frame is single frame which can be projected independently.

AUDIO RECORDINGS

Are the information materials/carriers with pre- recorded sound vibrations. Also called sound recordings, they are recorded in sound discs, sound cassette, tape real, gramophone records CD and they need devices such as radio, record player, etc.

AUDIO- VISUAL MEDIA

They offer materials which can be seen and heard. Offer sound image and text,

MICROFORMS

A term used to describe materials which have been photographed or filmed in a miniature size. Microforms appear as; microfiche, microfilm, micro card and also they require special viewing devices. Materials appear in microform to reduce degree of deterioration and as backup.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Materials created, stored, manipulated and used in electronic format. They are stored in electronic devices such as; floppy disks, flashes USB, CD, CD-ROM, computer files and internet resources such as database.