Five laws of library science

S. R. Ranganathan, known as the “the father of library science in India,” and respected by librarians all over the world, proposed five laws of library science. Many librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of their philosophy (e.g. Koehler et al., 2000)

These laws are:

1. Books are for use.
2. Every reader his [or her] book.
3. Every book its reader.
4. Save the time of the User.
5. The library is a growing organism.

The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in that field. Since they were published in 1931, these five laws “have remained a centerpiece of professional values…” (Rubin 2004). These basic theories of Library Science continue to directly affect the development of this discipline and the service of all libraries.

S. R. Ranganathan’s early education was of a mathematic background. This systematic way of thinking, he later applied to his work in library science, most notably his work on library classification and administration. (Indian Statistical Institute Library, et al. 2007) “From the middle of the nineteenth century, librarians in the west felt the need and started emphasizing the importance of enhanced services to library patrons. Formulation of the Five Laws of Library Science at long last, provided a solid and lasting foundation in this direction.” (Kabir 2003)

CR2 Technologies launches SaaS based Library Management Software in India

CR2 Technologies Ltd launched CYBRARIAN – Asia’s first revolutionary Library Management Software System based on SaaS (Software as a Service) model – was launched by CR2 Technologies Ltd. CYBRARIAN is a next-generation web-based, seamless and fully integrated Library Management Software System hosted on a Remote Server. This is based on SaaS concept where users have to pay-as-you-use basis.

CYBRARIAN allows the librarians to access and run the software with the help of an ordinary low-cost PC having a web browser and they can carry out online all the transactions like Acquisition, Cataloguing, Circulation, Periodicals Management (PMS), Article Indexing, Reports Management, etc. as if the entire application is running on their desk.

“One can access the application anytime (24×7x365) from anywhere, and from any machine with built-in webOPAC facility in the software. At a very low hosting fee, CYBRARIAN provides users facilities like Software Usage, Secured Data Storage & Management, Virus Protection, Backups, Patch Management, Product Updates, Technical Support, Maintenance etc. CYBRARIAN follows all the international standards like MARC21, Z39.50, AACR2, MARCXML, ISO 2079, etc. and is having UNICODE (Multilingual) facility. The most attractive feature of CYBRARIAN is that librarians or Resource Centre Manager can customize the application as per their requirements without the help or need from the software vendor. Moreover, the reports can also be self-customized,” said Suyash K, CEO, CR2 Technologies Ltd.

SaaS is a new model for delivery of software over Internet. It is a shift from packaged software to Software as a Service (SaaS). In this new model, the user is saved from the hassles of buying licensed copies of software like OS, R/DBMS, Application Software, Antivirus, etc. They are also not required to buy costly hardware like Servers, PCs, Networking components, etc. The user is also free from the daily problems of installation, management, maintenance, backup, security, etc. The initial cost of investment and recurring cost every month is as good as nil. The recruitment of expert IT professionals can also be avoided.

What is AACR2?

AACR2 stands for the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition. It is published jointly by the American Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (in the UK). AACR2 is designed for use in the construction of catalogues and other lists in general libraries of all sizes. The rules cover the description of, and the provision of access points for, all library materials commonly collected at the present time.

Despite the claim to be ‘Anglo-American’, the first edition of AACR was published in 1967 in somewhat distinct North American and British texts. The second edition of 1978 unified the two sets of rules (adopting the British spelling ‘cataloguing’) and brought them in line with the International Standard Bibliographic Description. Libraries wishing to migrate from the previous North American text were obliged to implement ‘desuperimposition’, a substantial change in the form of headings for corporate bodies.

AACR2 exists in several print versions, as well as an online version. Print versions are available from the publishers. The online version is available only via Cataloger’s Desktop from the Library of Congress. Various translations are also available from other sources.
Principles of AACR include cataloguing from the item ‘in hand’ rather than inferring information from external sources and the concept of the ‘chief source of information’ which is preferred where conflicts exist.

As well as occasional minor amendments, a broader revision is under way with a view to a new edition in which the rules are more consistent and coherent, informed by the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records. This ‘AACR3′ has the working title ‘Resource Description and Access’.

The formate for making cataloging card is :

Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (Father of Indian Library Science)

S. R. Ranganathan (1892- 1972)

 

S. R. Ranganathan was way ahead of his time. A mathematician by education (B.A. and M.A. in Mathematics), he thought deeply about information organization and classifications. He proposed what is today known as the “Colon Classification System”, which is fundamentally different and IMO, fundamentally superior than the more established classification systems (Library of Congress or Dewey Decimal System). For programmers of today, colon classification is analogous to the object-oriented model, where ability to change and adapt is built in.Ranganathan was subject to many a hardships in the hands of government and administration, and was repeatedly denied opportunities due to his caste. He finally had to resign his job at the Madras University. But his ideas were recognized by many scholars in Europe and in USA who saw the merits of a future-proof content classification system. Ranganathan died in 1972 in Bangalore.

Ranganathan’s multi-faceted classification ideas have found wide-ranging applications in modern computer science — from naming of reusable software components to categorizing web content.

Know more about S. R. Ranganathan

Bulid Your Own Online Virtual Library with Google Book Search

Now you can create and share your favorite books online with Google Book Search. you can create your own personal collection on Book Search, and use it to help find just the right book from your collection for any occasion. Other people can view your library, so you can share your collection as Bethany has done. Or take a look at some other interesting collections.