The Central Library of the University of Brasil

Abstract

The University of Brazilia was established in 1962 through amalgamation of three existing institutions. It now serves as a model for other institutions of higher education.
As the structure of the University of Brazilia fully differed from the former Brazilian institutions of higher education, it was necessary to organize a new type of library services. Thus the library - logically - was fully adapted to the new conception of the University. Basic planning almed to establish such a central library which coordinates the main library units consisting of general and reference works, documentation service and scientific and cultural exchange, as well as the 16 special libraries of the Central Institutes and the Faculties.
The University received support from several foreign institutions, in the form of financial funds and by providing experts. The Central Library was supported by the Ford Foundation in establishing its holdings, in the acquisition of books and periodicals, and the Foundation, together with the American Library Association, also helped through a committee, to set up the library organization. The American Peace Corps supported the library by providing experts. Thus, with foreign sid, in two-three years' time, a collection consisting of 100.000 books and 3000 current periodicals was acquired, and in 1965, the classification of the books placed on open shelves was started.
In 1966, the Library System of the University of Brazilia, was established with the aim to promote the university's development in the fields of education, research and theoretical work, by providing special information and bibliographie service and centralized technical processes.
The system includes the Bibliobus, the library of the experimental high-school, the section of Scientific Information and Documentation, etc. This latter is being considered to be the most significant step forward in organizing the library. In addition to the reference service, a reference library as well as the first systematic catalogue of the holdings were also established. The exchange of publications plays a significant role in the acquisition. In 1966, the holdings increased by 12.033 books, 1143 current periodical titles, 1336 bound periodicals, 206 studies, etc. The library had a oonsiderable attendence, the number of books and periodicals circulated and read in the library, was 129.901.
The next task in improving the Central Library is to set up the right organization and services in the new building to be at the diaposal of the Central Library and the Faculty of Library and Information Sciences. It is hoped that construction will be concluded by 1970; the building is planned to hold 2 million units.