S. R. Ranganathan and

Michael GormanAmber Chastain

Dr. Wendy RickmanLIBM 6320 Intro to Library

October 31, 2011

“Take my hand,For I have passed this way,

And know the truth.” Ranganathan, 1961

(as cited in Finks, 1992)

Considered the father of Library Science in India

• Ranganathan worked as a professor of mathematics before working as a librarian at the University of Madras library.

• Ranganathan was head of the Indian Library Association from 1944 to 1953.

Most notable achievements:Author of the Five Laws of Library

Science Inventor of the Colon classification

system

S. R. RANGANATHAN (1892 – 1972)

Photograph of Ranganathan, S.R. Retrieved from http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/ranganathan_for_ias on October 28, 2011.

Colon Classification (CC)

CC classifies all materials into 42 different categories.

The categories are represented by numbers, letters, and greek lettering.

A book is labeled by five different facets: Personality (,), Matter of Property (;), Energy (:), Space (.), and Time (’) (Kelsch, 2003).

An example of a colon classification catalog number: 234;46:6.44’N7

1.Books are for use2.Every reader, his/her

book3.Every book its reader4.Save the time of the

reader5.The library is a

growing organism

Five Laws of Library ScienceRanganathan, 1963 (as cited in Gorman, 1998)

• These five laws or “virtues” are still relevant to today’s library.

• One possible reason for the success of the five laws is Ranganathan’s ability to communicate so much with so few words.

Law # 1Books are for use

Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science

The library should be accessible – meaning the stacks should be open and all materials available for use both inside and outside the library.

The library should maintain a user-friendly atmosphere, be open several hours a day, and hire a professional staff focused on customer service.

(Personal Artwork. Law 1. 2011.)

Law # 2Every reader, his/her book

The library should serve all patrons, no matter their age, race, or economical status. The library’s main purpose is education – something all are entitled to.

It is the library’s responsibility to maintain a collection that reflects the interests of the various patrons it serves.

Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science

(Personal Artwork. Law 2. 2011.)

Law # 3Every book its reader

Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science

Just as every patron is looking for a particular book, in a sense, every book or material is looking for a particular patron. This law once again highlights the need for open stacks.

It is the library’s responsibility to place the appropriate material in the patron’s hands and to promote what is in the collection (Gorman, 1998).

(Personal Artwork. Law 3. 2011.)

Law # 4Save the time of the reader

Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science

A good library must have comprehensive cataloging and a dependable circulation system. Qualified staff should be able to help patrons quickly and efficiently cross-reference materials.

The library should be organized so that the average patron can easily locate the subject or material they seek in a timely manner.

(Personal Artwork. Law 4. 2011.)

Law # 5The library is a growing organism

Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science

The library must be willing to change and grow according to community needs, economical changes, and at times, the evolution of materials.

The world is in a constant state of change – a successful library must be willing to grow according to its patrons’ needs.

(Personal Artwork. Law 5. 2011.)

MICHAEL GORMAN (1941 – present)

Although born and raised in England, Gorman worked as a librarian at the University of Illinois and California State University.

Gorman was president of the American Library Association from 2005 to 2006.

Gorman has published several books and articles concerning the importance of books within the library setting.

“Libraries are about service or they are about

nothing” (Gorman, 1998).

Photograph of Gorman, M. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/catdir/bibcontrol/gorman.html on October 28, 2011.

Gorman published a revised Five Laws of Library Science bringing the historical values of Ranganathan’s five laws into modern day

perspective.

1.Libraries serve humanity2.Respect all forms by which

knowledge is communicated3.Use technology intelligently

to enhance service4.Protect free access to

knowledge5.Honor the past and create

the future

Law #1 Libraries serve humanity

Law # 2Respect all forms by which knowledge is

communicated

Libraries and librarians should always strive to provide the best costumer service possible. A genuine willingness to serve patrons is an essential characteristic of a good librarian.

No one form of communication, whether it be electronic or written text, should be ignored in the pursuit of knowledge.

Gorman’s Revised Five Laws of Library Science

Law # 3Use technology intelligently to enhance service

Law # 4Protect free access to knowledge

Law # 5Honor the past and create the future

Gorman (1998) stated “I will use technology when it is useful, affordable, and cost effective.”

Gorman warns against the naïve belief that quick and easy access to the Internet is equal to uncensored free knowledge.

Balance between what is old and what is new is key to the success of the future library.

Gorman’s Revised Five Laws of Library Science

ReferencesFinks, L. W. (1992). A centennial salute to Ranganathan. American Libraries, 23(7), 593. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Gorman, M. (1998). The five laws of library science then & now. School

Library Journal, 44(7), 20. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.Kelsch, S. (2003) Ranganathan’s Colon Classification in 1500 Words or

Less. Retrieved from http://kelschindexing.com/colonclassification.htmlPersonal Artwork [Law 1, Law 2, Law 3, Law 4, Law 5]. October 2011.

JPEG files.[Photograph of Gorman, M.] (Accessed on Oct. 28, 2011). Keynote Address: From Card Catalogues to WebPACs: Celebrating Cataloguing in the 20th Century. Retrieved from http://www.loc.gov/catdir/bibcontrol/gorman.html[Photograph of Ranganathan, S.R.] (Accessed Oct. 28, 2011) Boxes and

Arrows webite. Retrieved from http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/ranganathan_for_ias