Library-Science-Based Library Service (Development of Library Science 10)

Abstract

The first four introductory sections describe the beginnings of modern library service in India fifty years ago, and the circumstances leading to the establishment of the Sarada Ranganathan Professorship in Library Science in Madras. They also illustrate how the influence of the Library School of the University of Madras had spread. These sections end with a reference to the temporary setback being now experienced by the young librarians in the enjoyment of their library work and training. The one possible cause for this is, faults in the present day teaching in some of the Library School. Then follows an account of the foundations of library science and of modern library techniques, modern forms of library service, and modern library organisation. The Five Laws of Library Science formulated forty years ago, are described as the foundation; and their potency and revolutionary qualities are traced. Then follows a detailed description of the generation and the continued improvement of each library technique the streamlining of library administration; the invention of the Three Card System, the genesis of Colon Classification and a dynamic theory of classification which has led CC to its present status of Freely Faceted Classification with capability for designing depth schedules; the design of the Classified Catalogue Code and of a theory of library catalogue providing guiding principles for its continued improvemcnt. The structure of the State and National Library Systems, and of Public Library Acts, is then derived from the Five Laws. After a section on the education and the emoluments of the library profession, the last section gives the emphasis of the Five Laws on giving Long-Range Reference Service - the ultimate social and human purpose of library work.