Five laws of library science

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Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan is known as the "the father of library science in India," and respected by librarians all over the world. He proposed five laws of library science. Many librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of their philosophy (e.g. Koehler et al., 2000)

These laws are:

  1. Books are for use.
  2. Every reader his [or her] book.
  3. Every book its reader.
  4. Save the time of the User.
  5. The library is a growing organism.

The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in that field. Since they were published in 1931, these five laws “have remained a centerpiece of professional values...” [1] These basic theories of Library Science continue to directly affect the development of this discipline and the service of all libraries.

S. R. Ranganathan’s early education was of a mathematics background. This systematic way of thinking, he later applied to his work in library science, most notably his work on library classification and administration. (Indian Statistical Institute Library, et al. 2007) He went abroad to study librarianship at the University College of London, working under the renowned W.C. Berwick Sayers, and returned to India as a man possessed. He lived and breathed librarianship for the rest of his long and remarkable career. “From the middle of the nineteenth century, librarians in the west felt the need and started emphasizing the importance of enhanced services to library patrons. Formulation of the Five Laws of Library Science at long last, provided a solid and lasting foundation in this direction.” (Kabir 2003)

Contents

[edit] An explanation of the five laws

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[edit] First law: Books are for use

The 1st law of library science is "Books are for use' Which implies that a book should be durable & the material of which it is made should have longevity. The 1st law insists upon intensifying the use of books by every possible method and it urges the library profession to select such edition of the book which is readable & pleasing to the eye. A book is to select for easy understanding by the majority of the user of the library.A book that is written with flair for simple style, language & clarity of expression should be purchased...

NOTE: This first law explanation does not appear to accurately reflect the intent of Ranganathan's writings, the text of which can be found here: http://dlist.sir.arizona.edu/1220/ The following interpretation seems far more likely:

The 1st law of library science is "Books are for use', which implies that the main task of a library is to circulate books to its users (rather than to protect and conserve books). Towards this end any obstacle should be removed as far as it is possible, making it as easy for a user to obtain a book, as it can be achieved. Obviously, losing a book for whatever reason makes it impossible for readers to use it, thus making the protection and preservation of book a means of fulfilling this law. Nevertheless, making a book accessible to readers is the primary goal. This law may be seen as the main (perhaps the only) law, for which the next laws are merely commentaries.

[edit] Second Law: Every reader his or her book

Any patron from the library community should have access to the books in the library. Any person has a right to use the collections housed in the library. There are not certain books or collections that some audiences within the population can not access. Collections should be developed that every part of the population will be interested in.

[edit] Third Law: Every book its reader

This law is about items in the library’s collection, and who uses them. Each book in the library has a member of the community that will find the book useful or interesting. One of the major developments that Ranganathan contributed through this law is the idea that if a book is not being used often it needs exposure to groups of readers who will find it useful. On the other side it says it the responsibility of the librarian to make the book reachable to the users. This task includes several techniques like appropriate classification and cataloguing that help in identifying the needed book in the quick and efficient manner.In general it is all about the need of keeping the library in a well organised status.

[edit] Fourth Law: Save the time of the Reader

This law makes it clear that if readers find what they are looking for in a timely manner they will be more satisfied, and more likely to feel like their needs have been met. This not only makes library service more efficient, but also makes the reader feel like their search has been an effective one. The same time it is also concerned with the time that the library professional spends to serve the user. The is a stress on saving the library staff also.

[edit] Fifth Law: The library is a growing organism

This law says that the library is dependent on life and change. Without the human and organizational changes that occur, the library would neither function properly nor meet its purpose. Going further, it says that the library is something that grows for ever in accordance with contemporary technologies. In general it is like a growing kid.

[edit] Notable Praises

Eugene Garfield, founder of the Institue for Scientific Information, wrote that Ranganathan is "without question one of the luminaries of library science" and has had a "revolutionary impact on international classification theory".(Garfield, 1985).

K.G.B Bakewell in his article in the ALA World Encyclopedia called him "one of the immortals of library science."(Bakewell, 1986)

Michael Gorman referred to him as "the unquestioned giant of 20th-century library science".(Gorman, 1980).

[edit] Variants

In 1998, librarian Michael Gorman (past president of the American Library Association, 2005-2006), recommended the following laws in addition to Ranganathan's five in his small book, "Our Singular Strengths":

  1. Libraries serve humanity.
  2. Respect all forms by which knowledge is communicated.
  3. Use technology intelligently to enhance service.
  4. Protect free access to knowledge.
  5. Honor the past and create the future.

In 2004, librarian Alireza Noruzi recommended applying Ranganathan's laws to the web in his paper, "Application of Ranganathan's Laws to the Web":

  1. Web resources are for use.
  2. Every user has his or her web resource.
  3. Every web resource its user.
  4. Save the time of the user.
  5. The Web is a growing organism.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rubin, Richard (2004). "From Past to Present: The Library's Mission and Its Values". Foundations of Library Science (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Neil-Schuman Publishers. pp. 306-309. ISBN 1555705189. 
  • Bakewell, K.G.B., "Ranganathan, Shiyali Ramamrita, "ALA World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science Services, 2nd. ed., Chicago: American Library Association,1986, p. 690.
  • Garfield, Eugene, "A Tribute to S.R. Ranganthan, the Father of Indian Library Science," in his Essays of an Information Scientist, vol. 7, Philadelphia: ISI Press, 1985, p. 37.


  • Gorman, Michael, "Let Us Now Praise: A Reflective Look at Six Persons Who Greatly Influenced the Art of Cataloging, "American Libraries, April 1980, p. 203.
  • Kabir, Abulfazal M. “Ranganathan: A Universal Librarian.” Journal of Educational Media and Library Sciences. 40:4 (June 2003) :453-59.
  • Koehler,Wallace , Jitka Hurych, Wanda Dole, and Joanna Wall, "Ethical Values of Information and Library Professionals -- An Expanded Analysis." International Information & Library Review 32 (3/4) 2000: 485-506.

[edit] Books Written by S.R. Ranganthan

  • Ranganathan, S. R.. A librarian looks back: an autobiography of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan. UBS Pubs. Distributors, 1992.
  • Ranganathan, S. R.. "Library classification as a discipline" Proceedings.. Aslib; Pergamon, 1957.
  • Ranganathan, S. R., and K. M. Sivaraman. Reference service and bibliography, vol vol 2 pt 5 Bibliography of reference books and bibliographies. Madras Library Association, 1941.

[edit] Books About Ranganathan

  • ATHERTON, Pauline A.. Putting knowledge to work: an American view of Ranganathan's Five laws of library science. Vikas pub house, 1973.
  • "{Bibliography}" Indian academic libraries and Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.. Sterling Pubs. Pvt., 1986.
  • "{Biography}" ALA world encyclopedia of library and information services.. American Lib. Assn., 1986.
  • Chatterjee, Amitabha. "Structures of Indian classification systems of the pre-Ranganathan era and their impact on the Colon classification" Classification research for knowledge representation and organization.. Elsevier, 1992.
  • Girja Kumar. . S.R. Ranganathan, an intellectual biography. Har-Anand Publs., 1992.
  • Girja Kumar. . Ranganathan, Dewey and C.V. Raman: a study in the arrogance of intellectual power. Har-Anand Publs., 1991. Vikas, 1991.
  • Kumar, P. S. G.. Ranganathan, a multi-faceted personality. B.R. Pub. Corp., 1992.
  • Kumar, G.. "Ranganathan the man [reprinted from Indian Library Association Bulletin 10:63-62 Jl-D '74]" Library lit. 7---the best of 1976.. Scarecrow, 1977.
  • "Obituary" Current biography yearbook, 1972.. Wilson, 1973.
  • Rajagopalan, T. S., ed. Ranganathan's philosophy: assessment, impact, and relevance: proceedings of the international conference. Vikas, 1986.
  • Satija, Mohinder Partap. S.R. Ranganathan and the method of science. Aditya Prakashan, 1992.
  • SATIJA, Mohinder Partap. Ranganathan, method and style: a pastiche of opinions. Kalyani pubsNew Delhi, 1978.
  • Sewa Singh. . S R Ranganathan birth centenary literature. Ess Ess Publs., 1995.
  • Sharma, Ravindra N., ed. S.R. Ranganathan and the West. Sterling Pubs. Pvt., 1992.
  • Sharma, Ravindra Nath. Indian academic libraries and Dr. S. R. Ranganathan: a critical study. Sterling Pubs. Pvt., 1986.

[edit] Selected bibliography

  • Cloonan, Michele V.; Dove, John G. "Rangananthan Online: Do Digital Libraries Violate the Third Law? Library Journal 130 no.6 (April 2005):58-61.
  • Finks, Lee W. "A centennial salute to Ranganthan." American Libraries 23 no7 (July 1992): 593-594.
  • Ranganathan, Shiyali Ramamrita. The Five Laws of Library Science. London: Edward Goldston. 1931.
  • Ranganathan, Shiyali Ramamrita. "The Five Laws of Library and information Science", Delhi, Ess Ess Publications (Reprint) 2007.
  • Rubin, Richard E. Foundations of Library and Information Science. 2nd ed. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers. 2004.
  • Swan, John. "The electronic straitjacket." Library Journal 118 no.17 (October 1993): 41-45.

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  • Harinarayana, N. S., and N. Vasantha Raju. "Citation Analysis of SRR's Works: A Look through the Window of Google Scholar." Information Studies 15.3 (2009): 165-78.
  • Neelameghan, A.. "The Sage and the Intellectual." Information Studies 15.1 (2009): 1-2.
  • Neelameghan, A.. "Library and Information Services: User-Centric Models." Information Studies 14.4 (2008): 249-56.
  • Simpson, Carol. "Five Laws." Library Media Connection 26.7 (2008): 6.
  • Rimland, Emily. "Ranganathan's Relevant Rules." Reference & User Services Quarterly 46.4 (2007): 24-6.
  • Neelameghan, A.. "Subject Architecture Model and Building Construction Model: A System Perspective." Information Studies 11.4 (2005): 207-12.
  • Cloonan, Michele V., and John G. Dove. "Ranganathan Online." Library Journal (1976) 130.6 (2005): 58-60.
  • Mole, H. V.. "Indian Seminar Honors Dr. S. R. Ranganathan." Quarterly Bulletin of the International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists 50.1/2 (2005): 59.
  • Kabir, Abulfazal M. Fazle. "Ranganathan: A Universal Librarian." Journal of Educational Media & Library Sciences 40.4 (2003): 453-9.
  • Kashyap, Madan Mohan. "A sketch of a code for developing computer-based library information systems based on classified catalogue code of Ranganathan (part-1)." DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology 22.1 (2002): 3-19.
  • Yucht, Alice H.. "Guiding principles." Teacher Librarian 28.5 (2001): 38-9.
  • Kashyap, Madan Mohan. "Similarity between the Ranganathan's postulates for designing a scheme for library classification and Peter Pin-Sen Chen's entity relationship approach to data modelling and analysis." DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology 21.3 (2001): 3-16.
  • Kashyap, Madan Mohan. "Classified catalogue code of Ranganathan: a proposal to make it compatible for developing computer-based library information systems." DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology 21.1 (2001): 3-19.
  • Gorman, Michael. "The five laws of library science: then & now." School Library Journal 44.7 (1998): 20-3.
  • "Ranganathan, S. R.." Wilson Library Bulletin (R) 47 (1972): 229.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_laws_of_library_science"