What is the Difference Between Library and Archive?

Libraries and archives both serve as repositories for information and materials, but they have different purposes and collections. Here are the main differences between them:

Types of Materials: Libraries primarily collect and provide access to published materials, such as books, periodicals, and other printed resources, to keep people informed, promote scholarship, and provide entertainment. Archives, on the other hand, focus on collecting and providing access to unpublished materials, such as records, letters, diaries, and posters, to ensure government accountability and preserve institutional and cultural memory.
Accessibility: In libraries, individuals can browse and retrieve materials themselves, while archives usually require patrons to request materials from staff.
Organization: Library materials are organized by subject and genre, while archival materials are organized by the creator and maintained in their original order.
Multiple Copies: Libraries often have multiple copies of items, which can be replaced if lost or damaged. In contrast, archives typically hold unique materials that cannot be easily replaced.
Security: Libraries typically have lower security measures compared to archives, which often have higher security to protect the unique and irreplaceable materials in their collections.
Borrowing: Library materials can be borrowed and taken off-site, while archival materials must usually be viewed onsite.
Expertise: Libraries are staffed by librarians with specialized knowledge in their subject areas, while archivists have broad knowledge of documentary heritage and their organization's mandate.
Acquisition: Archives usually acquire primary source materials directly from the author or creator, while libraries typically acquire secondary source or published items from publishers or library vendors.

In summary, libraries and archives differ in the types of materials they hold, how they are accessed, how they are organized, and their security and borrowing policies. While there may be some overlap between the two, these differences generally define their distinct purposes and functions.