Public library plays a vital role in the success of democracy. There are many similarities in the definitions, objectives, and functions of a public library with democracy. They are interdependent with each other.
The term democracy derives from the Greek words Demos the people and Krotos power. “It is a government by the people; also a community so governed.” forms of government in general and democratic form of government in particular aims at the education of every citizen of the country irrespective of the place of birth, caste, creed, sex, and age. Because democracy, as defined by Abraham Lincoln is a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people. No democracy as such can be successful without the education of the people. No education can also be successful without a library. They are sine-quo-none. The dictum of democracy that is justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity may be achieved only when there is a web of the public library set up covering both rural and urban areas. 
Educated and enlightened citizens are absolutely recited for the success of democracy. Because in such a form of government every citizen is directly or indirectly involved in the welfare measures of the state. “In a democracy, the citizen has the responsibility not only to choose his representatives in the legislature intelligently but also to watch that these representatives discharge their duties in the best interest of the electorate . . . To exercise his rights and duties in o proper and effective manner, each voter should have access to public libraries to obtain correct, and good knowledge about various aspects.
According to Dr. S.R. Ranganathan the father of Indian library movement, the public library is a social institution and as such it has to serve the whole community of the society and has to perform the following functions to “attain the purposes
1. It should help the lifelong self-education of one and arty.
2. It should famish up-to-date facts end information on all subjects to one and all;
3. It should distributer in on unbiased and balanced Wes all shades of recorded views and thought to one and all, as a help in the discharge of their political functions In respect of local, national and international affairs;
4. It should contribute to productivity drive by informing to management. of the latest trends in divine Enterprises, by plugging back into the minds of researchers, designers, and technologist every piece or relevant new thought promptly and pin pointedly;
5. It should provide to one and all a harmless and elevating use of leisure;
6. It amid preserve the literacy remains of humanity for posterity, as vehicles of culture and as source materials for antiquarian research; end in general.
This UNESCO in its public library manifesto revised by the Public Library Section (IFLA) has cut out for important bleak, and functions of the library as follows:
1. Education:- To foster and provide means for self-development of the individual/group at whatever stage of education, closing the gap between the individual and recorded knowledge;
2. Information:- To bring the individual/group accurate information weekly and in-depth particularly on topics of current concern;
3. Culture:- To be one of the principal centers of cultural life and promote keener participation, enjoyment and appreciation of all the arts.
4. Leisure:- To play a part in encouraging the positive use of leisure and provide materials for change and relaxation.