2. Customers are different. The main service objects of university libraries are students and faculty. In addition to the basic characteristics of readers in public libraries, readers in university libraries also have their own characteristics, that is, imparting and learning professional knowledge. Public libraries serve a wide range of readers, including readers of various occupations, ages and education levels. Readers' needs are similar, mostly to meet their own reading hobbies, leisure appreciation and so on. Public libraries are mainly equipped with literary works, historical documents, popular science works and other resources, which are rich in variety and numerous in copies.
3. The service items are different. It is precisely because of the different service purposes that the service items provided by university libraries and public libraries are also different. In addition to traditional book lending, university libraries also provide services such as reference service, novelty retrieval and subject librarian to meet the needs of readers for scientific research and academic exchange. Especially with the application of information technology, university libraries provide professional services such as online search and download, resource discovery and knowledge management, but rarely provide services such as bookstores, calligraphy, entertainment or catering. Considering the needs of readers, especially the needs of the elderly and children readers, public libraries provide lectures, consultations and exhibitions. In early childhood education, health care for the elderly, popular science knowledge and so on. It also provides services such as book mailing, child care, first aid for the elderly, and catering.
4. Access to services is different. The service object of university library is registered students and faculty, and the self-service mode of "one card" is adopted. Students and faculty readers have a campus "all-in-one card" that allows them to eat, seek medical treatment, borrow books and pay fees. Readers enter the library with the card and are familiar with the borrowing equipment and process after special training. With one card, readers can borrow and return books, reserve seats and print and copy books by themselves. Public libraries serve all citizens, and have achieved barrier-free and zero-threshold access, and they can enjoy services with their ID cards. The personalized needs of readers are not very strong, and the corresponding service procedures are relatively consistent.
5. The allocation of book resources is different. The allocation of university library resources, both in content and quantity, is based on the subject characteristics of universities. In terms of content, resources covering all disciplines in the school are allocated, and there are no disciplines that are basically not allocated or allocated in small quantities. For example, there are few materials on medicine, agriculture, forestry and military affairs in normal universities, and relatively few materials on literature, history and philosophy in science and engineering universities, which pay more attention to the purchase of database resources. In terms of quantity, the number of copies of a book will generally not exceed three. Considering the different educational levels of readers, the books allocated by public libraries are generally biased towards literature, art, popular science and other popular books, and the number of copies is large.
6. Different sources of funds. The funds for running subordinate colleges and universities mainly come from the central government and are allocated by the Ministry of Education, and are generally allocated according to the number of college students. The funds for running provincial colleges and universities come from local finance and are allocated by provincial organs. The funds for setting up private schools are raised by investors, and students pay tuition fees. University libraries are funded from school funds. Public libraries are funded by the government, such as provincial libraries and city and county libraries.
7. The layout of buildings is different. Due to the limited campus space, in order to improve the utilization of space, university libraries generally set up stacks, reading rooms and a small number of small study rooms and discussion rooms. Due to the large number of college students and graduate students in China, university libraries are always crowded with readers, and many university libraries will also grab seats. Public libraries are generally located in the city center, with convenient transportation and convenient access for readers. In addition to large space and many seats, there are catering, bookstores, parking lots and other supporting facilities. In recent years, in order to facilitate readers to borrow and return books, public libraries have also installed self-service lending and returning machines in some densely populated communities or streets.
The most basic function of the library is to serve the public, help human beings to learn knowledge and inherit civilization. In some countries, there is not much difference between university libraries and public libraries, and anyone can use them. In China, although the government strongly advocates the opening of university libraries to social readers, due to the limitations of book resources and librarian manpower, as well as seven differences, general university libraries are only open to readers of the school.