A library is a collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both.A library's collection can include books, thesis ,journal ,newspapers ,prints , documents,CDs,e-books,e-thesis ,e-journal ,databases, and other formats.

An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution which serves two complementary purposes to support the school's curriculum, and to support the research of the university faculty and students An academic and research portal maintained by UNESCO links to 3,785 libraries. Academic libraries must determine a focus for collection development since comprehensive collections are not feasible. Librarians do this by identifying the needs of the faculty and student body, as well as the mission and academic programs of the college or university