Page 95 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
10. …………………… has become a very powerful link in the coordination and dissemination
of library resources.

11. Library Networks have been established with the main purpose of sharing resources so
that unnecessary wastage of limited …………….. with them can be avoided.
12. Information and technical services are …………… oriented.

5.5 Library-Extension Services

As a social animal, we have relations with our family members, relatives, neighbours, and
colleagues, etc. We make all efforts to improve the relations and do our best to prove the
usefulness of relations with them. We also extend our sphere of relations by making new
relations. Similarly, an institution keeps relations with its customers, suppliers, investors, etc. It
also proves it’s utility as well as improves its competency. It is necessary on the part of any
organization especially social organization which runs with public funds and for public service.
Likewise, a library that is a social institution also keeps relations with its users whom it gives
services and other libraries whose resources are used by it.

5.5.1 Need for Extension Services in Libraries

The first Law of Library Science “Books are for use” is firmly established if the libraries realize
that their existence is justified only by the extent to which their books are used by the readers.
Again, the third law of library science “Every book of its reader” also gives emphasis on the
same concept. But here books cannot move to their users. Therefore, all the efforts should be on
the part of library itself to bring the books at the door step of users. Dr. Ranganathan is in favour
to adopt the shop analogy by the libraries to implement the laws of library science. The most
suitable method is public relations and extension services of the library to reach all people of the
community. Through various programmes and proper planning the Extension Services are
efforts to reach the maximum number of people whereas Public Relation is an attempt to
interact with the people by informing about the resources and services of library as well its
importance to them. Therefore, this is an obligation of a library:

To get the views of users about its utility and quality of services time to time; and
To expands its area by making new users and by having cooperation with new libraries.
The Extension Service (ES) is an effort of a library to increase the number of its users to make the
maximize use of its resources. On the other hand with the help of Public Relations (PR), it
informs the public or users about its resources, services and their utility.
According to Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, “Apart from such methods of pure publicity, libraries are now a
days developing certain new types of work which, in addition to their being directly educative or recreational,
lead also to publicity as an important secondary product.” These activities are named as the extension
services of libraries.

5.5.2 Objectives of Extension Services

The main objectives of extension services are as given below:

It is an attempt to turn the library in to a social centre which encourages reading.

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