DefinePK

Abstract

Public libraries provide free of cost academic, educational, and reading facilities to the readers without any discrimination. The role of public library has always been acknowledged in every field of life. This library provides, besides educational and academic collection, the material containing recreational stuff. The serial publications are the sources which contain not only informative material but also entertaining one. These are published on regular basis, after identical intervals (frequency). The serials carry latest and innovative information on any topic and discipline, hence provide up-to-date knowledge to the readers. Serials are generally of two types; one which are of thought-provoking and serious nature – called journals, and the other which are of amusing and entertaining nature – called magazines. The objective of a public library, besides taking care of readers’ educational needs, is to provide them such material with which they can fascinate and entertain themselves. This purpose can be served easily through magazines and periodicals. In this study, the periodical sections of five public libraries of Karachi have been surveyed. As a result, it is brought into notice that except Liaquat Memorial Library, no public library has separate section for periodicals. This causes problems not only to the visitors but also to the library staff. Moreover, the libraries do not acquire serials keeping in view all the elements of the society, hence some part of population is affected. As serials play an important role in securing the objectives of a public library so it is recommended that special attention should be paid to the periodical sections.