New Perspectives in Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library

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The 5 Laws of Library Science is a theory proposed by S. R. Ranganathan in 1931, detailing the principles of operating a library system. Five laws of library science are called the set of norms, percepts, and guides to good practice in librarianship. Many librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of their philosophy. Dr. S.R. Ranganathan conceived the Five Laws of Library Science in 1924. The statements embodying these laws were formulated in 1928. These laws were first published in Ranganathan's classic book entitled Five Laws of Library Science in 1931. The Five Laws of Library Science are the most influential concept in the field of library science. They are fundamental and discuss the basic philosophy of library science. They concisely represent the ideal services and organizational philosophy of all types of libraries, even today. These laws provide scientific basis and general principles which serve as guidelines to librarians in organizing and managing information products and services. In automated libraries, OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) fulfills all the laws of library science. Sitting at a computer terminal, a user can search the entire collection of the library and gets to know if the required document is available in the library or not. User can reserve a book, recommend a new title to be purchased and renew a borrowed book. Efforts have been made to clarify the concepts in simple language with a view to better understand the Indian scheme, considered one of the scientific classification systems for organizing knowledge.

Nikhil Goswami has an extensive professional background in libraries, having held notable positions in prestigious institutions. He holds advanced degrees in Library Science, equipping him with a deep understanding of the principles that underpin the efficient functioning of libraries. His hands-on experience in library administration and research has further honed his expertise in the subject matter. He has conducted thorough research on Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library, critically analyzing their application in contemporary library settings. In addition to his practical experience, Nikhil Goswami is a prolific writer and researcher. He has published numerous papers and articles on library science, with a particular focus on Ranganathan's laws. He has also worked with governments, businesses, and NGOs on projects related to the library. He is also a member of the board of directors of several organizations that promote library studies.

Every profession has some basic philosophies or guidelines that they follow. For doctors, the Hippocratic Oath is perhaps the most well- known. Police officers often adopt the concept of "to protect and serve," while firefighters often use the phrase "Everyone comes back alive." Librarians, too, have such a concept of service. This service guide should not be confused with a code of ethics or a code of conduct. It is not a code, but rather a concept, or philosophy, that the profession has used as a guide for what we do. The 5 Laws of Library Science is a theory proposed by S. R. Ranganathan in 1931, detailing the principles of operating a library system. Five laws of library science are called the set of norms, percepts, and guides to good practice in librarianship. Many librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of their philosophy. Dr. S.R. Ranganathan conceived the Five Laws of Library Science in 1924. The statements embodying these laws were formulated in 1928. These laws were first published in Ranganathan's classic book entitled Five Laws of Library Science in 1931. The Five Laws of Library Science are the most influential concept in the field of library science. They are fundamental and discuss the basic philosophy of library science. They concisely represent the ideal services and organizational philosophy of all types of libraries, even today. These laws provide scientific basis and general principles which serve as guidelines to librarians in organizing and managing information products and services.

In automated libraries, OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) fulfills all the laws of library science. Sitting at a computer terminal, a user can search the entire collection of the library and gets to know if the required document is available in the library or not. User can reserve a book, recommend a new title to be purchased and renew a borrowed book. If it is WEBOPAC, the user can access the library collection from anywhere, anytime (24 hours on all days of the week).

**Contents and Sample Pages**