Define Ranganathan's Five Law of Library Science & its Importance

Five Law of Library Science by SR Ranganathan | Five Laws of Library and Information Science


Shiyali Ramamrit Ranganathan is the father of Indian Library Science, noted as a great thinker of Library Science. His original ideas have given a new direction by creating a revolution in the field of the library. The PanchaLaws of Library Sciences is the first among their notable contributions.

Ranganathan first rendered these formulas in 1931 at Meenakshi College, Annamalinagar. The whole purpose of the library is included in these five sources. 

These Five Law of Library Science is as follows:


#01. Books are for use.

#02. Every reader his/her book or Books are for all.

 #03. Every book his/her reader.

#04. Save the time of the reader.

#05. The library is a growing organism.

Ranganathan considers these five Law as the basic principle and ideal principles in each area of ​​library work. These five law of library science is as relevant today as it was in 1931.


Five Law of Library Science
Five Law of Library Science

First Law of Library Science - Books are for use


Dr. Ranganathan has given five laws of library science. The first of which describes the formula It is being done here. The first book of Library science insists that books should be used extensively. In his first Law, the books and Ranganathan have clearly stated - "The book is for use.

To follow the first law, Ranganathan has emphasized the following points.

(i) Location determination of the library: The location of the library should be determined at a place that centers of cities, colleges, and colleges should be established.

Readers do not have to face many inconveniences and the library can be used in its short time.

(ii) Open access system: The importance of a free access system in libraries is important to protect the first Law. The use of the book will definitely increase when the reader will go to the book rack on his own free will. 

We see that in the present time the common man is also more interested in shopping in a shop or shopping mall with an unobstructed entry system due to time constraints. 

In a closed access system, the reader has to go to the bookstore and It is not allowed to choose the intended text. Therefore, the use of books will increase with the help of the free entry system.

(iii) Shelf Arrangement: The classified arrangement saves the reader time as he gets all the available texts related to the subject in one place and does not have to wander in many places. This increases the possibility of using books.

(iv) Classification and cataloging: Listing is a tool that helps the readers and Provides information to the staff regarding the material stored in the library and tells them where a book is kept. Of course, a well-updated competent up-to-date list helps in saving time for the students and employees. This gives the reader access to books. This increases the possibility of using books.

(V) Arrangement in auxiliary order: - By arranging in helpful sequence, the reader saves time because he/she also gets the book of the subject related to the subject, all the available texts are accessible in one place and do not wander in many places. 

Arranging in the auxiliary order means keeping the auxiliary subjects around, such as keeping history books with politics, sociology, books of biology with chemistry, physics. This increases the possibility of using books.

(vi) Bibliography: A variety of bibliography lists are produced and published every day which helps employees and readers in choosing the course material. 

Therefore, they must be purchased in the library. In addition to this, the libraries should create bibliographies and reading lists as per the requirement of the readers or on possible use. With this, the use of books can be increased.

(vii) Guides: The readers can also be facilitated by placing necessary guides at the main entrance of the library, in the Stack room and in the list, etc. And their time can be saved. This will increase the use of books.

(viii) Reference service: The need for informal personal support is also felt in the library with a list of classified arrangements and several guides. This is called the reference service. 

The main reason for this is the complexity of the classification method and the list. Undoubtedly, the time lost of readers can be protected by competent reference service and they can be made aware of the importance of library service. This increases the use of books.


Five Law of Library Science
Five Law of Library Science by dr. Ranganathan


Second Law of Library Science: Every reader his/her book or Books are for all


The second law of library science insists that books should be given to its readers, that is, if the book is in the library, then its readers should get it. 

The Second Law of Library Science insists that books are omnipresent, ie books are for everyone and not for a particular class. 

In the olden times, only rich people were able to read the book, but through this formula, Ranganathan emphasized the right to read the book to everyone. A second formula that Ranganathan has emphasized on the following things to protect.

For the implementation of the second thread of library science, it is necessary to pay attention to the following:

1. The obligation of state - It is the responsibility of the governments to get the readers their books first.

2. The obligation of library authority: It is the responsibility of the governments to get the readers their books first, but the library authority is not useful enough for the role of the library readers to be useful in this, important then the readers are indifferent. 

To be because even if the book readers do not get the library, its authorization will get the book, if not the books will be available and if the book is found then the book will be purchased. Be this type and whatever, The role of library authority is also very important in this.

It can be described as:

(1) Book selection - The library authority should select the books according to the needs of the readers such that if the majority of the readers of a library are of Hindi medium, then the book of Hindi medium should be selected.

(ii) Staff selection - Library authority has a great responsibility to make the right selection of staff. Qualification of a library worker should be at least library science. Only the right employee can reach his readers.

3. Open Access system - These systems are of two types: open gate system and closed-door system.

(a) In the open door system, the readers themselves go to the rack in the library and take the book.

(b) They are given books in the closed-door system. The authority has to make readers find the book as they wish. However, open door systems are more effective.

4. Extension service: library service from one place to another Delivery service is called extension service. Through extension service, a librarian can easily reach the reader. Every book gets its readers 

Third Law of Library Science: Every Book its Readers


The third law of library science is related to the texts like the first law and the second The formula is complementary. According to this law, every book should get its readers accordingly. To satisfy this law, many tips are adopted in modern texts, which are described in this way.

1. Book Selection: The third law advises the Granthalayi to select only those books. Which most readers are likely to read. It is advisable to ask for such texts which are demanded by a few readers instead of purchasing them.

2. Open Access system: In modern texts, by adopting the free access system, readers are allowed to test each book and thus most of the books get readers.

3. Classified Arrangement: If the texts are arranged according to the rules in a logical and supportive classified order, then most of the texts are likely to get readers.

4. Display of new books: By displaying the new books separately they are also likely to get readers as soon as possible. Therefore, the library should display the new books on the display board so that the readers can be attracted to that book.

5. Changes in Shelf Arrangement: Periodic Funding Changes in the administration also make the possibility of establishing a connection between readers and texts. In such a situation, many books which are left out of the eyes of the readers, come out

6. Catalog: List which proves useful in getting each text its readers.

7. Reference service - The connection is established in texts and texts by competent and supportive personal service.

Fourth Law of Library Science: Save the time of the reader or Save the time of the user/reader


Dr. Ranganathan has given five Laws of library science. Out of which the fourth law “Save the time of the users” is very important. At the present time, everyone is short of time, so through this formula, Ranganathan saheb has tried not to waste too much time of the readers in the library so that Readers frequent library usage.

The fourth Law of Library science also approaches the second law on behalf of the readers. If the mental hunger of the readers is not calmed down immediately, then it is destroyed. Both the thematic and tribunal type of time should be saved for the reader. 

Along with this, saving time of the students should also save the time of the employees. In fact, this Law emphasizes to provide maximum facilities to the readers through reforms in library administration and operations.

Ranganathan has clearly stated in his fourth law that- "Save the time of the reader" Save the time of the user (Readers), it is necessary to pay attention to these things to protect the fourth Law of Library Science.

1. Location of the Library: The location of the library should be determined at a place that can be set up especially in the center of a city or university or college.

So that students or students of nearby colleges do not have to face many inconveniences and can use the library in a short time.

Public Library can also be established near major markets or stations etc. so that the least time of readers are lost in reaching the library.

It is recommended to set up branch libraries in big cities and mobile library services in rural areas. In short, it is said that no time is lost for any reader to reach the library.

2. Open access system: The free access system in the library has been practiced only by the influence of the fourth law. In the Closed Access System, the reader is not allowed to enter the text repository and select the desired text.

Hence, the reader chooses the book with the help of the catalog and is waiting until the list is discovered. If the text is not found, the reader may prove inappropriate even if the book is found with the help of the list again.

3. Shelf Arrangement: The reader's time decay is protected by graded arranging by subject as all available texts related to the subject become accessible in one place and do not have to wander in many places. To be a part of the fourth Law, books of various subjects can also be arranged in the same order, books which are in high demand such as fiction stories, novels, dramas, poems, life characters, etc. 
circulation counter Should be placed first near and the rest later as required. This will save readers time.

4. Cataloging and classification: Listing is a tool that provides information to the students and employees regarding the contents of the library and tell them where a book is kept. Undoubtedly, a well-built up-to-date list helps in saving time for the students and employees. 

In the list, especially in the absence of subject analytical entries, readers lose time. It takes more time to build these reputations. But if they are not built, then the time of many readers is destroyed again.

5. Bibliography: Nowadays many types of bibliography lists are produced and published which help employees and readers in choosing the textual content. 

Therefore, they must be purchased in the library. In addition to this, the libraries should create bibliographies and reading lists as per the requirement of the readers or on possible use.

6. Guides: Readers can be facilitated and their time can be saved by placing necessary guides in the stock room at the main entrance of the library and in the list etc. as required. Most of the guides are needed in the stock room. Ranganathan has discussed several types of directories such as (i) planning guides (ii) signal directories (iii) funding guides and (iv) book tag.

Fifth Law of Library Science: The library is a growing organism


The fifth Law of Library science is mainly related to Library planning and organization. By the way, everyone knows that only a developing organization can survive, otherwise they end.

In Ranganathan's words, "A developing organization absorbs new material, abandons old material, changes its shape and takes on a new appearance and form.

There are two types of library development:
(i) Child Growing
(ii) Adult growth

All the libraries are in their early stage of child development and after some understanding, they reach the adult development stage. But the National Library always remains in the stage of child development.
The library has three components.
1. Books Development
2. Development of readers
3. Employee Development

4. Development of library building: When books and readers increase, it is natural that library building will also increase.

5. Technology development: Digital libraries and virtual libraries are being developed through the computer. 
.
Ranganathan considered these five Laws as the basic principle and ideal principles in each area of ​​the library work. This PanchLaw is as relevant today as it was in 1931. The correct development of library service can also be done by making these formulas the basis.


To Know More About Library Science Click on the Link Given Below
1. Library and Society
2. Library Management
3. Library Cataloging
4. Library Classification
5. Information Source
6. MCQs on Library Science
8. Jobs in Library Science
Join Library Science Group for Latest Updates

Post a Comment

Post a Comment (0)

Previous Post Next Post