Page 28 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Unit 2: Laws of Library Science

The earlier accent was on the preservation of books rather than on their use. It was the common Notes
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.
1. Location: The first law has several messages for library work. If you are choosing a
library building, you have to keep the message of this law in mind. The message is that it
should be located at a central place where it is convenient to reach. It will be a
discouragement to people to use books if they have to walk a long distance to reach them.
At the same time, the location should be as free from noise and other disturbances as
possible so that serious study is possible. The location of a public library should be in as
quiet a central area as possible. A school library should be located at a prominent place in
the school where the students will take easy notice of it, so too a college library.

Notes The description of a university library as the heart of the university should be
reflected in its geographical location also. The point to be kept in view is the easy
accessibility of the library to its users.
2. Library Hours: Another implication of this law is that the library hours should be convenient
to users. Many libraries in our country do not pay heed to this message. School libraries,
college libraries and public libraries are particularly careless in this matter, for many of
them are kept open when their clientele are engaged otherwise and are not able to visit
the library.

3. Library Building and Furniture: The first law demands that proper attention should be
paid to the planning and designing of the library building and to the various items of
furniture provided in the building. The building should be functional and at the same
time aesthetic. The furniture should also be functional and attractive. If the racks on which
the books are kept are too high and the books on the top shelves cannot be easily reached,
the use of books becomes difficult. The furniture used in children’s libraries should be
specially designed for children keeping in view the goal of the promotion of the use of
books. The furniture should be attractive and comfortable so that users will feet tempted
to frequent the library.
4. Staff: The first law, for its fulfilment, calls for certain qualifications and qualities for the
library staff. They should possess the qualifications that would enable them to organise
the library efficiently and provide satisfactory services. This would ensure the proper use
of books. But more important than formal qualifications are perhaps the personal qualities
of the library staff. They should be courteous, cheerful and helpful. “Service with a smile”
should be the motto. The staff should always remember that everything that they do in the
library is a means towards an end and the end is service to readers. If a potential library
user encounters an unhelpful attitude on the part of any member of the staff, he is sure to
turn away permanently from the library. The result is that the cause of the First Law is not
served. The credibility of the staff, in respect of their knowledge, ability and personal
attitude to readers; is a crucial factor in the promotion of the use of books.

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