International Encyclopaedia of Library Development

Societies and Contemporary democracies especially depend to a great extent on the vast body of knowledge that is needed to sustain and develop the complex scientific and technological societies of the world today. In view of the fast developing technology in the modern world the value of information has increased many fold. The libraries thus have acquired now a very catalytic role in the preservation and dissemination of information and knowledge. We have tried here in this Encyclopaedia to present all the aspects of library development and the need to develop libraries on scientific lines and to conduct research for further improvement.
The teaching of the principle and tools of management including statistical methods, systems analysis and operations research and their application to the management of library systems and documentation centres for increasing the efficiency of the library and documentation services have been extensively discussed in different volumes of the Encyclopaedia.
There is a growing realization of the need to tailor library and documentation services to the scientific needs of different categories of persons such as research workers, production technologists and management personnel. Documentation service to industries and management information systems are among the subjects which have received emphasis recently in the courses in documentation. An Understanding of the structure and development of subjects is considered basic to the design and development of scheme for library classification, subject analysis, classifying, preparation of subject headings and reference service.
The use of electronics devices in the Libraries has seen a dramatic rise. The document retrieval and document finding systems are increasingly dependent on electronic devices. In speeding up various library routines the use of such devices like computers is discussed in these volumes.
The dissemination and communication of information and of ideas through documents is only one component of the total system of communication of information and of ideas, and forms the highlight of this Encyclopaedia.
There has been a long felt need of a comprehensive Encyclopaedia in library science covering all the aspects of library research and development and this Encyclopaedia serves this purpose quite well besides covering the aspect in a most compact and clear manner.
The international character of the work is clear from the list of contributors to the set, each one of whom is a recognized expert on the subject.
It is hoped that this comprehensive Encyclopaedia will fulfil the needs of teachers and students of Library and Information Science, Researchers and Educational Planners, and Administrators to their entire satisfaction.
About the Editor
Dr. Masood Ali Khan (B. 1947) obtained his M.A. Ph.D in Sociology from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Marathawada University, Aurangabad (1979). He started his academic career as U.G.C. Fellow, Dept. of Sociology of the same University. At present he is working as Dt. Director, Southern Regional Centre, Osmania University.
His Areas of interest are Information Technology in Social Sciences, Bibliography and Documentation, and growing interest in Library Sciences, Press and Media. He has been associated with a large number of survey and research projects.