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Synopsis This text is written primarily for the university graduate and postgraduate students of Library and Information Science (LIC). This limitation in scope remains but not imposes too heavily in treating the subject for wider interest. Among others, current information on some of the world’s well-organised information systems in the fields of agriculture, engineering, health, nuclear and social sciences should be of significant relevance to special libraries. The text incorporates thirteen chapters starting with introduction of basic concepts in the LIS followed by studies of the organizational and administrative components for managing the special libraries. The role of national special library associations form part of the introductory chapter tracing the development of special librarianship. Other major areas are the resource sharing and networking, library automation and information technology. The chapter on information services includes administration of reference and information, and other services. There are also three exclusive chapters on science information, and archival information covering major international and natioinal information systems/centers such as the AGRIS, INSPEC, MEDLARS, INIS, VINITI, NISSAT, INSDOC, DESIDOC, ICSSR AND NASSDOC. The text also describes the information role played by the international Council of Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); and a professional association, the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA).