New Functions for Libraries and Information Centers

In this article, the author critically discusses the defined functions which have been propounded for libraries till now. The most important of these functions are education and entertainment. The present article is an opinion article in which the author provides some definitions in a particular subject based upon his academic experience. An analysis of library functions shows that the two functions of education and entertainment are not the authentic functions for libraries because, with regard to the first function, educational organizations have this responsibility. Also, regarding the second function, entertainment centers are responsible. So, these two functions cannot be the main functions of libraries. This article refers to the role of reading as a race and suggests that the main functions of libraries are creating an environment or a situation for intellectual races and scientific efforts by providing the necessary facilities, classifying and leveling the concepts and resources, studying actual and the potential addressees, leveling members and nonmembers in connection with their different abilities, and adjusting categorized resources based on user’s interests through consultation. These are some of the genuine functions of libraries which are also performed in athletic environments.Originality/Value: The novelty of the present article lies in its new points of view of library functions. The paper attempts to review the functions that have been traditionally considered for libraries and also tries to define some new functions for them.