S.R. Ranganathan S.R. Ranganathan &&

Reference Service Reference Service in the Modern Libraryin the Modern Library

The 5 Laws of Library ScienceThe 5 Laws of Library Science

1. Books are for use.1. Books are for use. 2. Every reader his book.2. Every reader his book. 3. Every book its reader.3. Every book its reader. 4. Save the time of the reader.4. Save the time of the reader. 5. A library is a growing organism.5. A library is a growing organism.

How do libraries incorporate How do libraries incorporate Ranganathan’s 5 laws in the Ranganathan’s 5 laws in the

modern library?modern library?

Law 1: Books are for useLaw 1: Books are for use

Library services supporting this law:Library services supporting this law:

Open access to all books, stacks and other Open access to all books, stacks and other materialsmaterialsLibraries used to be ‘closed stacks’, now they are open to the public.

Circulating materialsCirculating materialsThe early libraries did not loan materials. Anybody (almost) can get a library card.

Books are for use (continued)Books are for use (continued) Remote access to databasesRemote access to databases

Most databases are now accessible from home.

Library location (including neighborhood Library location (including neighborhood branches)branches)Building the library in a centralized location allows more people to access it.

The BookmobileThe BookmobileMaking library resources available to rural areas by bringing the materials to the people.

Law 2: Every reader his bookLaw 2: Every reader his bookLibrary services supporting this law:Library services supporting this law:

Social networking (del.icio.us, librarything.com, Amazon peer reviews)This is a very new service that libraries are getting into to connect readers with new materials via browsing and linking.

Reader’s Advisory

If you liked this, then you might like that--these lists are prepared by Librarians instead of computer generated.

Interlibrary LoanIf your library does not have what you want, there is another library that does.

Law 3: Every book his readerLaw 3: Every book his reader

Library services supporting this law:Library services supporting this law:

Classification systemClassification systemDewey Decimal or Library of Congress makes it easier to find the material.

Accurate arrangement of materials (shelf-Accurate arrangement of materials (shelf-checks)checks)We shelf check to make sure the materials are where patrons expect them..

Distribution of acquisition lists (New Book lists)Distribution of acquisition lists (New Book lists)

Every book his reader (continued)Every book his reader (continued)

New Book displaysNew Book displays NewslettersNewsletters Book ListsBook Lists Subject GuidesSubject Guides Cross ReferencingCross Referencing

Listing a book under different subject headings makes it available to more people.

Law 4: Save the time of the readerLaw 4: Save the time of the readerLibrary services supporting this law:Library services supporting this law:

Reference DeskReference DeskThe reference desk is there to provide assistance to all library users.

Meta-searchingMeta-searchingOne-stop searching access to many parts of the library collection.

AutomationAutomationThe online catalog (OPAC) is much faster to use than the card catalog.

Save the time of the reader Save the time of the reader (continued)(continued)

Ask-a-LibrarianAsk-a-LibrarianThis is often an online or phone service which allows the patrons to get remote reference help.

Self-CheckoutSelf-Checkout

Library WebsiteLibrary WebsitePosting information, subject guides, online catalogs and databases on the website saves the patron from having to physically come to the library.

Law 5: The library is a growing organismLaw 5: The library is a growing organism

Library services supporting this law:Library services supporting this law:

Collection developmentCollection developmentThe library is continually adding new materials that are of interest to the population.

WeedingWeedingRemoving materials that are not being used is critical to keeping the collection current.

Wireless AccessWireless Access

The library is a growing organism (continued)The library is a growing organism (continued)

E-books, book filled iPod shuffles, Netflix E-books, book filled iPod shuffles, Netflix subscriptionssubscriptionsStaying current with the times by offering the latest technology to patrons.

Renovating or adding on to the buildingRenovating or adding on to the building

Library InstructionLibrary InstructionTeaching students or patrons how to use the library encourages library use and literacy.

Books are for use.Books are for use.The library should house materials The library should house materials that are useful to their community.that are useful to their community.

“A library is not a museum but a workshop full of life and activity. It is not the books which gets

rapidly worn out by constant use that should worry a library according to this view, but it is the book which would seldom leave the shelf

that needs anxious attention and effective treatment. This view is now revolutionizing

everything connected with the library.”

--S.R. Ranganathan, Classified catalogue code... --S.R. Ranganathan, Classified catalogue code... Ed.5, 1964; Sec. DA3Ed.5, 1964; Sec. DA3

Open Access.Open Access.Library materials should be available Library materials should be available

to be used.to be used.“A library is made big not by the number of its

books, but by its use. A few books kept continuously in active use form a library than

miles of books kept largely locked in the cupboards of a monumental building.”--S.R. Ranganathan, Library manual. Ed.3, 1960; Sec. 111--S.R. Ranganathan, Library manual. Ed.3, 1960; Sec. 111

The Role of the The Role of the Library ProfessionLibrary Profession

Libraries must make their materials accessible.Libraries must make their materials accessible.“The Library profession should not exhaust its

thought, energy and interest in merely acquiring and processing reading materials. It should

realize that these are only means to an end and that the end is to get the books used widely and

profitably.”

-S.R. Ranganathan, Library science with a slant -S.R. Ranganathan, Library science with a slant to documentation, Vol. 2, 1965, p295to documentation, Vol. 2, 1965, p295

A User-Centered LibraryA User-Centered LibraryThe library should be as The library should be as

accommodating as possible.accommodating as possible.“One of the necessary conditions for social service institutions,

such as the library, becoming popular is the fostering of a feeling of mutual cordiality and helpfulness between those who

offer service and those who are served, together with a disposition to self-sacrifice. To this end, the library should strive to reduce formality to a minimum and make everyone feel at

home. As a natural extension of this attitude, a modern library even goes so far in its effort as to make personal and social contacts and not infrequently offers meeting place for local

learned organizations in an attempt to make them, as constituent parts of the general public, feel that it desires to

function as an intellectual centre for the locality.”

S.R. Ranganathan, Library manual. Ed.3, 1960;p77S.R. Ranganathan, Library manual. Ed.3, 1960;p77

The Original BookmobileThe Original BookmobileS.R. Ranganathan’s concept of the mobile rural library in S.R. Ranganathan’s concept of the mobile rural library in

1930.1930.