S.R. Ranganathan, father of library science, has established that libraries help individuals to distance themselves from reality. On his 125th birth anniversary, librarians across India celebrate National Library Day.
The first of his five revolutionary laws of library science state that “books are for use.” It has helped in developing a voracious reading community in India. People can pick up books and be transported to mythical lands such as Narnia, 221 Baker’s Street and Kurukshetra. This was not the case until 1931.
“Ranganathan returned from England in 1925 after discovering the utility of libraries. He encouraged intellectual discussion and created an environment for scholars to take part in a holistic literary movement. Previously, libraries played the role of preservation. No one could make optimum use of books,” says S. Swaminathan, advisor, Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science.
Ranganathan’s five laws of library science and the Colon Classification System of books which were created between 1930 and 1935 changed the way the world looked at libraries. The colon classification uses 42 classes in areas like ‘physics,’ ‘law’ and ‘journalism’ that are combined with other letters, numbers and marks to sort a publication.
“Though the Dewey Decimal Classification System is the most popular one, indigenous methods like the Colon Classification System ought to be brought back to the mainstream. Only small and archaic libraries in India use the system. Research will help in reviving Ranganathan’s approach,” he says.
Other librarians disagree. “The Colon System served its purpose at one particular point of time. It cannot accommodate new topics like ‘technology.’ Now, the Library of Congress has a digital collection of books. Every book has a specific ISBN (International Standard Book Number). The functioning has evolved,” says L. Radha, Librarian, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai. She says that libraries will no longer be just “study/ reading areas.”
Anna Centenary Library in Chennai has an inclusive set-up. There is a Braille library and ramps have been stationed for differently abled persons. The ‘Own Books’ reading section has over 1,000 floating population every day. The children’s section has a volunteering system which helps in inculcating love for books among youngsters, say sources. It is in line with Ranganathan’s second law - “Every reader his or her book.”
But several district and branch libraries have not evolved. Dingy rooms and worm-eaten books are a sorry sight. Mr. Swaminathan says that the the centralised purchasing system of the School Education Department is the bane of librarians down south. “Only librarians know the exact need of readers. The department can’t ship 10 books and expect optimum use without knowing the demand,” he says.
In academic circles, however, librarians play an important role in ensuring that research papers have a stamp of authenticity. According to Ms. Radha, patent approvals and thesis papers will find their sources in libraries. The role of libraries will elevate to curating ‘digital repositories.’ Centuries of videographic material can be stored in these sites and unbridled access will be provided for those who ask for it.
Mr. Swaminathan agrees that with the advent of information technology, libraries and publishing houses will create ‘print on demand’ facilities where the requisite number of pages or chapters will be printed based on demand. With requisite funding and acumen for Ranganathan’s and Prometheus’ forethought, libraries are here to stay, he says.
