Laws of library science
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This document outlines the Five Laws of Library Science as enunciated by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan in 1928. It summarizes each of the five laws: 1) Books are for use, 2) Every reader his/her book, 3) Every book its reader, 4) Save the time of the reader, 5) Library is a growing organism. For each law, it describes the principle and implications for library organization, management, and services. The five laws constitute the basic philosophy of library science and provide guidance for all library activities and practices.
Laws of library science
- 2. Introduction • The Five Laws of Library Science were enunciated in 1928 by the late Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, the Librarian of the University of Madras. Their first formal exposition occurred at the Provincial Educational Conference; held at Chidambaram in December that year. Dr. Ranganathan, after, his education in librariainship in the University of London, School of Librarianship in 1924 and his observation of the working of several libraries in England, had been struggling to discover whether the principles and practices that he observed could be generalised and reduced to certain cardinal principle-s. In other words, he was in search of some principles which could tell us what should be done: in the library field to make library organisation; management and operation efficientand universalise its services
- 3. Slide Title Books are for use Every reader his/her book Every book its reader Save the time of the reader The library is a growing organism
- 4. FIRST LAW “BOOKS ARE FOR USE” • “Books are for use" is an obvious and self-evident statement. But it is not. This will become evident if we examine the history of the use of books in libraries. The earlier accent was on the preservation of books rather than on their use. It was the common practice in the medieval monastic libraries in Europe to have books chained to the shelves so that they could be preserved and not get lost in the process of being used. This was only a normal urge at a time when books were difficult to produce. This habit somehow continued even after the invention of printing which facilitated the easy production of several copies of each book. Although isolated examples of reluctance to permit the unrestricted use of books can be occasionally seen even today, the general position is that books are available for use without any let or hindrance. All policies relating to a library should be helpful in promoting the objective of books being put to the maximum use. Let us now examine the implications of this law in library work.
- 5. Implications of the First Law Library Location Library Hours Library Building and Furniture Library Staff
- 6. SECOND LAW “EVERY READER HIS/HER BOOK” • Every reader his/her book is the Second Law of library science. A variant of this law is, "Books for All". This law stands for the mandatory provision of library service to each according to his need. Every reader of a library should have the books he wants. It advocates the universalisation and democratisation of library service. In the earlier days only a privileged few belonging to the aristocracy and the upper classes of society were given access to libraries and books. The masses were kept out. But with the advent of democracy, which ensured participation of every citizen in governance, the position drastically changed. Democracy, for its sustenance and survival, needs an educated, knowledgeable and responsible citizenry. So, education and the acquisition of knowledge, through whatever institution possible, became a basic right of all citizens without any distinction whatsoever. Hence the law, “Every Reader His/ Her Book’ or ‘Books are for all.’
- 7. Implications of the Second Law
- 8. THIRD LAW “EVERY BOOK ITS READER” • The Third Law of library science is "Every Book its Reader". As in the First Law, the approach here is from the angle of the book. Every book in a library should have a chance of finding its appropriate reader and of being used by him. Investment in unused books is a dead investment and a waste. This situation should be avoided.
- 9. Implications of Third Law Third Law Open Access Library Catalogue Services Display of New Books Lists of New Additions Book Exhibition
- 10. FOURTH LAW “SAVE THE TIME OF THE READER” • Readers coming to the library are busy people and they should not be made to wait longer than necessary to get their needs met. They should get an exact and fast service from the library. If they develop a sense of waste of time in the library, they are likely to avoid coming to the library. In many individuals, intellectual interest may exist only momentarily and, unless it is satisfied at the moment of its existence, it may vanish. Hence, the importance of the law “save the time of the reader”. The implications of the fourth law are as follows:
- 11. Implications of the Fourth Law Open Access Classification and Cataloguing Charging System
- 12. FIFTH LAW “LIBRARY IS A GROWING ORGANISM” • The fifth law states “Library is a growing organism”. Note that the word used is “organism” and not “organisation”. This is significant, for it underlines the characteristics of the library as a living institutional organism. • In a living organism, the growth is of two kinds; viz., child growth and adult growth. Child growth is chiefly characterised by growth in physical dimensions and it is fast and visible. But in the case of adults, the growth is mainly in the nature of replacement of cells. It is a kind of internal qualitative change and growth that may not be visible: If is important that we do not conceive of the library as a static entity, but as a dynamic growing entity. This has to be kept in view and its implications properly grasped and provided for from the time of the starting of a library so that its growth is not withheld due to lack of forethought and planning. • The basic components of a library are • (i) the book stock, • (ii) the staff, • (iii) the readers, and • (iv) the physical infrastructure, i.e., the building, furniture and equipment. When we say that a library grows, what we mean is that each of these components grows.
- 13. Fifth Law Books Stock Readers Staff Classification and cataloguing Modernisation Weeding Out of Books
- 14. Conclusion • The five laws of library science are the mainsprings from which all library activities emerge. They constitute the basic philosophy of library science and of librarianship. They help us to find a rationale for everything that we do or should do in a library. They keep us constantly alert to the new methods and practices that we should introduce in order that the library may serve its community better. Collectively and severally they constitute a yardstick for testing the validity of everything done in relation to a library.
- 15. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING • Khanna, J.K. (1987). 'Library and Society, Kurukshetra: Research Publications (p.178-211). • Rajagopalan, T.S. (ed.) (1986). Ranganathan's Philosophy: Assessment, Impact and Relevance, Delhi: Vika Publishing House (p i-95) • Ranganathan, S.R. (1988). Five Laws of Library Science, Delhi: UBS Publishers Distributors. • Rath, P.K. and Rath, M.M. (1992) Sociology of Librarianship. Delhi, Pratibha Prakashan.