A special library is generally (1) a library containing books on a subject which is not of general interest, but in which only professional, technical or industrial readers are particularly concerned, or (2) it may be a library devoted to books on one particular subject of general interest, but specialising in it to a very high degree, or (3) it may be a library for a special class of readers. In the first class, we can include libraries of Science, Medicine, Technology, Fine Arts, Law, Commerce, Industry, Music and Drama, etc., in the second class we can include libraries of History, Economics, Education, etc., while in the third category, we can include such libraries as Libraries for the Blind.
Women’s and Children’s libraries are considered by some as special libraries, but we do not think that they can be so classed. It is necessary no doubt to have separate children’s libraries or separate sections for children in general libraries. Similarly for women, also, at least for some time to come, we should have separate sections in libraries. But the books of interest to women and children are not of the special nature referred to above, and therefore, even if separate libraries for children and women are started they may not be called special libraries.
At present there are very few special libraries in India compared to those in the West. Such libraries as exist are more or less of a private nature. The libraries that have been recommended by us for the purposes of the Central and Regional libraries, do not contain many books of a technical or special nature, but the need of books on these special subjects is being increasingly felt by the general public in the Province.
As the Central Library is mainly to be established in order to coordinate the resources of all libraries and to prevent an unnecessary duplication of the purchase of books and as it is not expected to purchase all kinds of books for all possible readers, it will be sufficient if the special libraries that exist can be brought into its sphere of co-operation. It will be easy for Government to allow the libraries of their specialised institutions like the Royal Institute of Science, the Medical Colleges and Medical Schools, the Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, the Agricultural College, Sir J.J. School of Art, the Department of the Director of Industries, and other departmental libraries, to be used by the public when necessary through the Central library to which the libraries should be affiliated for the purposes
of cooperation. The other libraries like those of the V.J.T. Institute, the University of Bombay, Technological Research Laboratory, the University School of Economics and Sociology, the Department of Chemical Technology of the University, the Chambers of Commerce, the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, the Social Service League, as also the proposed Dinshaw Memorial Library of Commerce, can be persuaded to join in the scheme. Outside libraries like the libraries of the Chambers of Commerce may also be helpful if a proper approach is made. It is possible that private institutions, which have special books, may not all agree to send out their books, but we believe they may be persuaded to make their resources known to the public through the union catalogue at the Central or Regional libraries by supplying these libraries with lists catalogues or cards of the books that they have and keeping such lists etc., up-to-date by periodically sending lists of additions. They should also allow occasional access to their libraries to bona fide readers, if such readers are recommended by the Central or Regional libraries, or to make such books available to the Central or Regional Library on certain conditions. In the case of some of these libraries such loans are privately given even now, but the practice
should be regularised and increased.
These special books or periodicals of a specialised nature are not however required very often for reference by the ordinary reader. His need of reading books on these special subjects is the need of a general reader and the Central and Regional libraries may be encouraged to keep a few books of these special subjects. These books need not be of a highly advanced and technical nature but should be of a popular interest. Reference books on these special subjects such as, Directories, Codes, Maps, Dictionaries, etc., might also be kept in suitable libraries. We therefore recommend that instead of the Central or Regional Libraries being required to keep highly advanced technical books on special subjects, co-operation with Special libraries should be sought, as in our opinion, this will be more convenient and more in the interest of the students of these subjects; such co-operation may also be of great mutual benefit to Special Libraries themselves.
We do not recommend, therefore, that any new Special Libraries should be started by Government, nor that the Central or Regional Libraries should purchase highly specialised books. For these books, the Government or private institutions concerned should be encouraged to develop their own existing special libraries, wherever possible by special book-grants. The Lord Reay Industrial Museum at Poona, for instance, which receives a Government grant is gradually trying to build up a library of technical and allied books and periodicals, of special interest to students of applied science and to men of commerce; and if a special grant is given for the development of its Library on condition that the Library is properly catalogued and maintained, and that it joins in the scheme of inter-library co-operation, it may in course of time be of considerable use to the public.