In the past, before the internet became the main source of knowledge, people relied on libraries to access books and manuscripts. However, not many people are aware of another source of knowledge: archives. These resemble libraries, as they also house informative material of significance to the public. This article will attempt to distinguish between the two based on their features.
Library
During times when printing and publishing books were not as advanced as they are today, libraries aided the general public in their quest for knowledge by storing thousands of essential books on various subjects and the literary works of influential writers from the past and present. Although libraries have lost some of their appeal due to the internet, they have always been useful for people seeking specific material to satisfy their curiosity. Students borrowed books from these libraries and even photocopied important sections for their exams.
A library primarily contains published works, so if a book is stolen or damaged, it can easily be replaced by purchasing another from the market. Libraries do not hold original manuscripts but rather material from published or secondary sources.
Archive
The term “archive” refers to both the original manuscripts written by renowned writers of the past and the location where these works are stored for public access and knowledge. These books hold significant cultural and historical value. Archives typically do not have books and magazines commonly found in public and private libraries. Due to the importance of the material stored in an archive, it must be preserved using modern preservation techniques.
Archives are crucial for researchers in various fields, as they provide authenticated materials not usually found elsewhere.
Key Takeaways
- A library stores published material, while an archive stores unpublished material.
- It is easy to replace a stolen or damaged book in a library, whereas it is nearly impossible in the case of an archive.
- An archive is a primary source of knowledge, while a library is a secondary source of knowledge.
