Libraries as Facilitators:

The libraries are no longer passive observers of users trying to find their ways in libraries to locate what they want and are no more considered as merely store-houses of documents. They actively participate in the process of transmission of information from the sources to the ultimate users. Thus,services provided by a library are  referred to us library and information services" combining the conventional library functions with its information service role. There are at least three important reasons why libraries are expected to provide information services. 

i)  The rapid increase in the volume of primary literature; 

ii)  The increasing specialisation in all branches of knowledge which is becoming more and more interdisciplinary in nature; and 

iii)  The users need to have quick access to the vast amount of information. 

While information grows exponentially, the time available at the disposal of users remains almost the same, if not less. They cannot, therefore, scan even a small fraction of the available literature in their own areas of specialisation.