The Five Laws of Library Science

by S.R. Ranganathan, P.S. Sivaswami Aiyer (Foreword), W.C. Berwick Sayers (Introduction)

Book 2 of the Madras Library Association publication series.

Genres: Library Science, Nonfiction, Librarianship, Reference, Professional Development

464 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so. I have to confess that I am more "continually-but-occasioannly reading" this book than being in the state of having read it, but I don't really want to gum up my "currently reading" shelf with it, so...

It is a masterpiece. Ranganathan has a lot to say about the theory of being a librarian -- a great deal of it is dated, often by 40+ years, but the basic ideas are pretty sound. Occasional browsing helps me realign my deas of what I should be doing professionally. And Ranganathan occasionally slides into this sort of Hindu tent-revival prose which really gets me all fired up. I mean sober talk about budgets and planning for new technology is all fine and good, but it's nice to have a writer declaim that librarians are like Krishna, sent into the world to save everyone from the chains of ignorance. Hmm, maybe I can use that on the Provost, next time he is asking about what librarians and libraries are for....

One sad point -- this volume is supposed to be a reproduction of the original edition, but it omits the plans for helpful ahrdware for rural librarians in India, including the design for an ox-drawn book cart, which I would like to build! I am sure the Ag campus could procure an ox for National Library week! Move over, book cart drill teams!

[Jerome Azbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The classic that we learned about in library school (but weren't required to actually read) can feel a bit dated at times. But considering the author is writing from 1930, at the beginning of India's library movement, it's actually still quite relevant. The laws themselves are still discussion points. Many of the issues being faced then are the same issues (often multiplied) facing libraries today. This is an important piece of library heritage.

[Madison Bolding · Rating 4 out of 5]

can we please normalize the incorporation of song into academic text??? please and thank you

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ranganathan presented intersting an amusing anecdotes to suport each law and show the rediculous results of breaking the laws. Though the book was a little long in places, I am glad I finally read this library science classic.

For future reference, the five laws are:
(1) Books are for use.
(2) Every reader gets his book.
(3) Every book gets its reader.
(4) The library is a living organism.
(5) Save the time of the reader.

("Book" can also become "resource" in today's library of multiple formats.)

[Lu Monteblanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro escrito en 1931 que sigue vigente en la Bibliotecología hasta los días actuales. Ahí está la magia de Ranganathan. En esta obra fue donde escribió por primera vez las cinco leyes de la Bibliotecología, que más que leyes son principios de acción, que rigen la administración y gestión de las bibliotecas, como unidades de informacion, centros culturales y espacios de democratización de la educación. Fue un visionario para su época en muchos aspectos y tuvo un fuerte sentido del deber con la educación de su país, India. En una reedición, agrega un capítulo que discute el método científico para la Bibliotecología y su estatus de ciencia. Un libro que ningún profesional bibliotecólogo puede dejar de leer.

[Tomás]

El sentido práctico y racional de Ranganathan estructura lo que él y muchos de nosotros consideramos fundamentos filosóficos y operativos de la disciplina bibliotecológica. Sus leyes cristalizan una voluntad permanente por democratizar y optimizar el acceso a la educación por medio de unidades de información con rostro humano y activo. Son herramientas imprescindibles ante cualquier dilema profesional, y de referencia para cualquier innovación.
Destaco la diferencia entre la segunda y tercera ley.
No puedo dejar de mencionar, con mi profunda admiración y simpatía, cómo Ranganathan logra aquí evocar la amenidad y cadencia de un profesional bibliotecario que, en sus palabras, es filósofo, amigo y guía del lector.
Gran lectura. La fotito de Ranga: enmarcada en mi biblioteca.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel those who are interested in reading, libraries and education should read this book. Easy and quick read. Though this book is published long time back, to me there is no time limit to this book. As this provides an insight into the libraries in general. Though one needs to add few issues related to the latest trends. This is the one book I was looking for longtime and got it.

[Haley Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading about Ranganathan's ideas; so many of them are still relevant today.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as relevant today as when it was first published.

1. Books are for use [not preservation]
2. Every reader his or her book [books are for everyone, not just for an elite]
3. Every book its reader [books should be as accessible as possible for the reader, keep the stacks open]
4. Save the time of the reader [the staff should be efficient and helpful]
5. A library is a growing organism
An organism which ceases to grow will petrify and perish. … A growing organism takes in new matter, casts off old matter, changes in size and takes new shapes and forms." section 701 p. 326

[Vina Nurziani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baca Lwa 1 dan 2 aja sih.