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Unit 2: Laws of Library Science

Self Assessment Notes

State whether the following statements are true or false:
13. Objective time is the time that we feel we have spent.

14. In the modern systems, there is substantial reduction of time in the issue and return
processes which the fourth law strongly advocates.
15. In libraries where the closed system is practised, readers access to books directly.

2.6 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.

Example: A notable example of this is the work of librarian and former president of the
American Library Association, Michael Gorman. Gorman adapted and reinterpreted
Ranganathan’s five laws of librarianship in order to make them relevant to the digital age.
Known as Gorman’s Eight Central Values of Librarianship, the key principles are as follows:
1. Stewardship: Librarians play a key role in preserving human records for future generations
and must pass on their best values to future professionals.
2. Service: Gorman stresses the duty of librarians to serve individuals, communities and
societies through a combination of empathy, professional skills, and personal dedication.
3. Intellectual freedom: Librarians must fight to protect free expression of thought, even if
the ideas concerned contradict the librarian’s own personal convictions.
4. Privacy: The freedom to access whatever materials an individual wishes, without the
knowledge or interference of others.

5. Rationalism: This principle is a key foundation of library procedures, and should encourage
the logical classification and organization of stock.
6. Commitment to literacy and learning: Reading is of central importance to literacy and
lifelong learning.
7. Equity of access: Gorman argues that the digital divide is only one manifestation of social
inequality and that all library services have a role to play in providing equity of access.

8. Democracy: Gorman describes libraries as democratic institutions. If people are to exercise
good judgment when electing their leaders and representatives, then they need to be
highly informed and have regular access to written records.

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