The main difference between archive and library is the type of content they house. Archives typically contain unique and rare public records or historical materials, while libraries contain various reading and study materials.
An archive is a place to store and preserve public records or historical materials, while a library is a place that houses a collection of books, periodicals, and other material for reading, viewing, study, or reference. There can be some overlap with these two terms. An archive may be a part of a library, or an archive can have the word library in its name.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is an Archive
– Definition, Features
2. What is a Library
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Archive and Library
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Archive, Books, Library, Reading
What is an Archive
An archive is a place to store and preserve public records or historical materials (such as documents). Some examples of content you would find in any archive include manuscripts, photographs, letters, diaries, journals, moving image and sound materials, artwork, books, and artefacts. Some of these may also be available in digital format. Materials in an archive are unique and rare; they are one of a kind. For example, letters written by Abraham Lincoln.
Archivists are the people in charge of archives. Their main duty is caring for these materials and preserving them for future generations. Since archives have very unique materials, there are specific guidelines on their use in order to protect these materials from theft and physical damage.
What is a Library
A library is a place that houses a collection of books, periodicals, and other material for reading, viewing, study, or reference. The materials in a library are accessible to a community for reference or borrowing. There are different types of libraries, such as public libraries, academic libraries, and special libraries. An academic library is designed to help in the teaching and research of universities or colleges. Generally, you cannot find non-academic material in academic libraries. Moreover, academic libraries are larger than public libraries. Public libraries, on the other hand, may not contain any research journals or scholarly books. They mainly contain materials like popular best-sellers, self-help books and repair manuals.
In this age of digital technology, libraries can also be digital or virtual spaces. Most modern physical libraries also provide digital access to some materials. A library can widely range in size and may be owned and maintained by different parties, such as a government, a corporation, an institution, or even private individuals. Libraries also act as quiet areas for studying. In addition, they may provide a common area for group studies. In a library, you can also get the services of librarians, who are professionals in finding and organizing information.
Difference Between Archive and Library
Definition
An archive is a place to store and preserve public records or historical materials, while a library is a place that houses a collection of books, periodicals, and other material for reading, viewing, study, or reference.
Content
Archives typically contain unique and rare materials that are not available anywhere else, while libraries do not usually contain very rare or unique materials since they may have multiple copies.
Types of Content
Furthermore, manuscripts, photographs, letters, diaries, and journals are types of materials you can find in archives, whereas you can find popular best-sellers, self-help books, and other fiction and non-fiction in libraries.
Use of Materials
Libraries allow general reference and borrowing, but materials in archives cannot be borrowed.
Published vs Unpublished
Moreover, both published and unpublished materials are available in archives, whereas libraries mainly contain published materials.
Conclusion
Archives typically contain unique and rare materials that are not available anywhere else, while libraries do not contain rare or unique materials since they may have multiple copies. Libraries allow general reference and borrowing, but materials in archives cannot be borrowed. Thus, this is the main difference between archive and library.
Reference:
“What Is a Library?” Library Learning Center, University System of Georgia, Available here.
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