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The Five Laws of Library Science (1931)

by S. R. Ranganathan

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1274215,062 (4.39)2
The works of the renowned Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan - considered the father of library science in India - cover certain facets of library and information science. These library science classics - reprinted by Ess Ess Publications - make Dr. S.R. Ranganathan's work available to the current generation of librarians. S. R. Ranganathan, considered by librarians all over the world to be the father of modern library science, proposed five laws of library science in the early 1930s. Most librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of the philosophy of their work and service in the library. These laws are: Books are for use, Every reader his or her book, Every book its reader, Save the time of the reader, and The library is a growing organism. The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in the field. Since they were published in 1931, these five laws "have remained a centerpiece of professional values..." (Rubin 2004). These basic theories of Library Science continue to directly impact the development of this discipline and the service of all libraries. [From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]. The book has been reprinted over twenty-five times to meet the demand from libraries, students of library and information science and information professionals. In 2006 when DLIST (University of Arizona) placed a test version of the contents page and first chapter of the first edition of the book on the Internet, there were some 640 downloads in twenty-four hours. The 'five laws' are equally valid in the present digital / information age as they have been in the conventional library environment.… (more)
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It is best book for library & information science students ( )
  seherish | Sep 19, 2023 |
S.R. Ranganathan's book The Five Laws of Library Science (1931; 1963 reprint edition) is a surprisingly interesting, if charmingly eccentric, book.

The beauty of Ranganathan's Five Laws is that they are simple enough to memorize, yet have lots of implications for library service. Ranganathan's logical mind develops these implications throughout the text.

Please note that when Ranganathan says "books," he really means any library material. And where he says "laws," I would say "tendencies". The five laws of library science were not passed by any legislature, so they're are not laws in any legal sense. Ranganathan used the word "law" to mean, in his words, "self-evident truth". To Ranganathan, library science is a science and its basic truths are as fundamental and unchanging as the laws of physics. Ranganathan admits, however, that unlike the laws of physics, which cannot easily be broken, the laws of library science are often ignored and/or violated.

To understand what Ranganathan really meant by "laws", it is important to remember that Ranganathan regarded books, libraries, and even the laws themselves as quasi-living things. In Ranganathan's mind, books "want" to be united with their readers. Libraries "want" to bring books and readers together. The "laws" of library science may be ignored or not enforced, but they "want" to exert their power. The laws will ultimately be victorious. ( )
  akblanchard | Jun 1, 2010 |
for library science students
  iqrajawed | Jan 10, 2021 |
"1. Books are for use [not preservation]
2. Every reader his or her book [books are for everyone, not just for an elite]
3. Every book its reader [books should be as accessible as possible for the reader, keep the stacks open]
4. Save the time of the reader [the staff should be efficient and helpful]
5. A library is a growing organism
An organism which ceases to grow will petrify and perish. … A growing organism takes in new matter, casts off old matter, changes in size and takes new shapes and forms." section 701 p. 326" ( )
  MaowangVater | Mar 23, 2022 |
Showing 4 of 4
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The works of the renowned Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan - considered the father of library science in India - cover certain facets of library and information science. These library science classics - reprinted by Ess Ess Publications - make Dr. S.R. Ranganathan's work available to the current generation of librarians. S. R. Ranganathan, considered by librarians all over the world to be the father of modern library science, proposed five laws of library science in the early 1930s. Most librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of the philosophy of their work and service in the library. These laws are: Books are for use, Every reader his or her book, Every book its reader, Save the time of the reader, and The library is a growing organism. The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in the field. Since they were published in 1931, these five laws "have remained a centerpiece of professional values..." (Rubin 2004). These basic theories of Library Science continue to directly impact the development of this discipline and the service of all libraries. [From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]. The book has been reprinted over twenty-five times to meet the demand from libraries, students of library and information science and information professionals. In 2006 when DLIST (University of Arizona) placed a test version of the contents page and first chapter of the first edition of the book on the Internet, there were some 640 downloads in twenty-four hours. The 'five laws' are equally valid in the present digital / information age as they have been in the conventional library environment.

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