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Introduction:
Having looked at the history of libraries in the first term, you may agree with me that, Libraries
of the past are different from libraries of nowadays. One of the differences lies in the
information resources found in these libraries. In the old days, people used to write on animal
skins, stones, clay and even on leaves but with time man became modern and discovered modern
writing materials which are more convenient compared to the ancient writing materials. This unit
equips you with knowledge about the different types of information resources found in libraries.
Modern Libraries have collections of information materials that fall under two different groups.
These are:
1. Print Media, and
2. Non-Print Media
Print media information materials
When you hear the word print media, what comes to your mind? Anyway, Print media consists
of all information materials printed on paper.
Examples include:
⮚ Books
⮚ Pamphlets
⮚ Posters
⮚ Maps
⮚ Etc.
BOOKS
A book is a collection of sheets of paper printed and bound together. It consists of 50 pages or
more and can either be hardcover or paperback. Books are a principle means of preserving
information as well as transmitting information.
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PAMPHLETS
A Pamphlet is a complete and bound booklet which has not less than 5 pages and not more than
48 pages exclusive of the cover pages. It is a periodical publication and it is usually produced to
comment on a new development or contemporary issue.
MANUSCRIPTS AND TYPESCRIPTS
Have you ever used a manuscript in your life? If yes, what does it look like?
A manuscript is an originally written material usually on paper. It is written by hand and includes
information materials such as a draft book. A typescript is usually a material on paper and
produced by a typewriter. Both are used for keeping recorded information on administration,
business as well as transactions. They are also used for storing historical information.
SERIALS / PERIODICALS
From the word serials, you may have an idea that serials are publications that are issued at
varying intervals. It can either be regular or irregular intervals. They usually have an overall title
but contain different information from one issue to the other. These materials include:
✔ Journals
✔ Magazines
✔ Newspapers, etc.
They are used for current information and research purposes.
Serial – these are publications such as newspapers, journals, bulletins and they are usually
published continuously everyday with sequential numbers. A publication can be issued in
successful parts usually at regular intervals. Some examples of series are: annuals, reports,
yearbooks, proceedings, transactions etc.
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Periodicals- this is a publication with a distinctive title intended to appear in successful numbers
of packs at stated or regular intervals for an indefinite time. Each part generally contains articles
by several contributors e.g. most magazines
Journal – this is a periodical publication dealing with matters which are relatively current often
used for official or semi official publication of special groups
Magazine – this is a periodical that usually contains a miscellaneous collection of articles,
stories, poems and pictures and it’s directed to the general reading public.
MAPS, DIAGRAMS AND POSTERS
These are large sheets of paper printed on and can be folded. They are used for specific purposes
such as constructions, reference for directions, teaching aids, etc
Having looked at print media materials, let us now examine their merits and demerits.
Advantages of Print media materials
1. They are user friendly (no special skill required)
2. They are durable
3. They are easy to maintain in case of any damages
4. They are cost effective in terms of maintenance
Disadvantages of Print media materials
1. They are not portable (some)
2. Only one person can use them at a time
3. Not good for illiterate people
4. Occupy too much space in the library.
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Non-print media information materials
Since we said print-media materials are those materials where information is printed on paper,
obviously, non-print media materials are those library materials not printed on paper. They
contain information that can be retrieved or accessed only with the use of an aid such as a
computer.
Non Print Media Materials include the following:
FILMS
Films are photographical images that can be developed on a lengthy transparent material. They
are mainly for entertainment and education purposes.
MICROFORMS
These are documents that are photographically recorded or reproduced.
They are usually very small in size and weight. Information can be retrieved by means of a
projector.
Types of microforms
✔ Microfilm
It is a roll or strip of images that are developed on a film and has a number of pages on each
film e.g. photo film.
✔ Microfiche
These are photographic images recorded on a sheet of film and contain different pages.
✔ Micro card
These are photographic images recorded on a card and contain different pages.
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SOUND RECORDS
This includes different types of sounds that are recorded on different media such as audio
records, CDs, audio tapes, etc.
They are used for educational and entertainment purposes.
VIDEO RECORDINGS
These are photographic images and motion pictures that are recorded on media such as DVDs,
VCDs, Video tapes, etc. They are used for entertainment and educational purposes.
Advantages of non-print media materials
1. They can be used by a lot of people at the same time
2. They are portable
3. They can be used by the physically challenged e.g. the deaf and the blind
4. They do not occupy too much storage space
Disadvantages of non-print media materials
1. They are fragile
2. They are not user friendly
3. They are expensive to maintain in terms of machinery used to retrieve the information.
4. They require special storage facilities
5. They require trained manpower to operate them.
