How to use a library with headers and .so files?

I'm new to C and wanted to use a library (mlt framework)

I've built it and it produced the following directories: include lib share

Inside lib there are .so .a .la files
Inside include there are .h files

Now, I'm instructed to do this:

#include <framework/mlt.h> which is inside include/mlt/framework/

Questions:

• Why I do I need to place the header file that contains only function prototypes? are they linked someway to the ones included in lib directory?
• Where to place my own files and how to compile it?
• How to learn more about the topics:
  • Dynamic/Static libraries
  • Building / making / installing
  • How to use any C library