Page 28 - DLIS101_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SOCIETY

Unit 3: Concept of Library

3.4 Five Laws of Library Science Notes
The Five laws of library science was a theory proposed by S. R. Ranganathan. The proposal detailed
the principles of operating a library system. Many librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations
of their philosophy.

Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (1892–1972) of India was an inventor, educator,
librarian, and a philosopher.

His early education was of a mathematics background. Using this systematic way of thinking, he
later applied this to his work in library science. His most notable work was on library classification
and administration. He went abroad to study librarianship at the University College of London,
working under W.C. Berwick Sayers.
He was a university librarian and professor of library science at Benares Hindu University
(1945–47) and professor of library science at the University of Delhi (1947–55). The last appointment
made him director of the first Indian school of librarianship to offer higher degrees. He was president
of the Indian Library Association from 1944–53. In 1957 he was elected an honorary member of the
Federation International de Documentation (FID) and was made a vice president for life of the
Library Association of Great Britain.
Ranganathan made fundamental contributions to world library and information profession.
The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in the field of library
science. Since, they were published in 1931, these five laws “have remained a centerpiece of
professional values...”. In fact, these basic theories of Library Science continue to directly affect the
development of this discipline and the service of all libraries.

3.4.1 Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science

During his eighty-year lifespan, Dr. S.R. Ranganathan made contributed many new ideas to library
and information science. He wrote 60 books and about 2,000 research articles in his life. Really,
Dr. Ranganathan was a multifaceted personality. He devoted his life to the cause of development of
library science in India. Dr. Ranganathan enunciated various laws, principles, canons, theories, etc.,
in LIS. His theories are based on scientific principles. They are accepted universally and are relevant
even today. We can say that his ideas are like a lighthouse for libraries, and LIS students and teachers.
His ideas are still exciting and, even today when computers and other developments in the field of
telecommunication have changed the whole scenario of LIS. Even now, when libraries and
information centres face the problem of underused information resources as well as the challenges
of implementing Information Communication Technology (ICT), Dr. Ranganathan’s philosophy is
relevant and accepted as a way to overcome both these problems. The answer comes in the application
of his Five Laws of Library Science.
Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science
1. Books are for use
2. Every reader his/her book
3. Every book its reader
4. Save the time of the reader
5. The library is a growing organism

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