Academic libraries play a crucial role in education, training, research, and scholarly communication. Their collections and services are developed to promote the goals and objectives of the parent institution.

Academic libraries are viewed as an important instructional support unit and participant in the teaching- research process of colleges and universities. Academic libraries also play an important role in the storage and preservation of recorded human knowledge. In recent years, their role in the development and utilization of electronic information technology became significant. Since academic libraries are serving complex organizations, many have become complex organizations themselves. Their staff perform a multitude of tasks and services requiring specialized knowledge and competencies.