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Adeladius Makwega – President’s Office, Department of Records and National Archives
“What is a library, and how many types of libraries are there?”
This question sparked a lively discussion on September 1, 2026, at the President’s Office, Department of Records and Archives.
Among the staff members taking part in the discussion was Mr. Daudi Hokororo, the youngest librarian in the meeting. Wearing his stylish glasses, Hokororo stood up and began explaining calmly:
“The word ‘MAKTABA in Swahili is derived from the Arabic word maktab. In Swahili usage, however, the term has developed a broader meaning, referring to a place where knowledge and information are preserved and made accessible.”
He explained that, in general terms, a library is a building, room, or designated place where collections of books, newspapers, journals, documents, and other publications are kept for reading, research, and acquiring knowledge.
“The main purpose of a library is to provide education, promote the desire and culture of reading, and preserve records and various publications for both the present and future generations,” he added.
Hokororo then began to explain the different types of libraries.
Academic Libraries – Schools and Colleges
These are libraries found in schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions.
Their services primarily support students, teachers, lecturers, and researchers.
They play an important role in expanding knowledge beyond what is taught in the classroom.
National or Public Libraries
These are libraries that provide services to the general public. An example is the National Central Library under the Tanzania Library Services Board (TLSB).
Anyone who wants to read, search for information, or conduct research can benefit from the services provided by these libraries, subject to the rules and regulations of the respective library.
Private Libraries
A private library can be a room, designated space, or collection of books owned by an individual or family for personal or household use.
This type of library helps individuals develop a strong reading culture and maintain their own source of knowledge and information.
Digital Libraries
A digital library is a library that provides access to books, documents, publications, and other information in digital form, usually through computers, mobile phones, or the internet.
With advances in technology, people can access a vast amount of knowledge without necessarily having to visit a physical library.
Digital library services can be supported by library management and digital repository systems such as Koha and DSpace, which help institutions manage, organize, preserve, and provide access to digital information resources.
After Hokororo finished his explanation, the discussion fell silent for a moment.
Everyone seemed to be reflecting on the importance of libraries in everyday life.
It became clear that a library is not simply a place where books are kept. Rather, it is a treasure house of knowledge, records, reference materials, and education—a resource capable of empowering individuals and strengthening society as a whole.
Those were the explanations given by Mr. Daudi Hokororo, a librarian from the President’s Office, Department of Records and Archives, who was among the staff members participating in the discussion on library systems and the different types of libraries.
And because you, my dear reader, may not have been familiar with some of these types of libraries, I believe you now have a broader understanding of them.
My dear reader, are you with me?
Remember:
KNOW THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIBRARIES
Because in the world of knowledge, a library is a bridge connecting us to education, history, reference resources, and the vast treasury of human thought.
I wish you a wonderful day.
📞 0717649257
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