Which type of library is established and maintained to serve the specific information needs of an organization, such as a government department, corporation, hospital, or research institute?

### Why this is right A **special library** is organized around the information needs of a particular organization or professional field. Because the question describes a library serving a government department, corporation, hospital, or research institute, it points to this organization-focused type. ### The concept A special library selects and organizes material that helps its parent organization do its work. Its collection may focus on a narrow subject, and its services may include finding research, reports, or other specialist information for staff. Other library types are usually defined by the communities they serve or by their broader national role. | Type | Main community or purpose | |---|---| | Special library | A particular organization or specialist field | | Academic library | Students, faculty, and researchers at a college or university | | Public library | People in a local community | | National library | Preserving and providing access to a country’s published heritage | ### The other options - **B. Academic library**: This serves a college or university community, rather than the specific information needs of an organization such as a hospital or corporation. It is tempting because research institutes also support research, but the question’s focus is the library’s organizational purpose. - **C. Public library**: This serves the general public in a community, usually with a broad collection and public services. It is not set up for one organization’s work. - **D. National library**: This has a national role, often including preserving the country’s published record. It does not primarily serve one department, company, hospital, or institute. ### Terms - **Special library**: A library serving the information needs of a particular organization or specialist field. - **Academic library**: A library serving a college or university’s students, faculty, and researchers. - **Public library**: A library that serves people in a local community. - **National library**: A library with a country-wide role in collecting and preserving publications. ### Remember If a library is built around one organization’s work or specialist information needs, identify it as a special library.