Laws of Library Science

Laws of Library Science

• The five laws of library science is a theory that S. R. Ranganathan proposed in 1931 ,  These laws are: 

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

Implications of Five Laws of Library Science

• S.R. Ranganathan – replaced the terms ‘Books’, ‘Reader’, ‘Library’, by terms ‘Document’, ‘User’, ‘Information’ respectively.

Variants of the five laws of LIS

• In 2004, librarian Alireza Noruzi recommended the application of Ranganathan's laws to the Web:

1. Web resources are for use.
2. Every user has his or her web resource.
3. Every web resource its user.
4. Save the time of the user.
5. The Web is a growing organism.

• In 1998, librarian Michael Gorman (past president of the American Library Association, 2005-2006), recommended the following laws in addition to Ranganathan’s five in his small book, “Our Singular Strengths”:

1. Libraries serve humanity.
2. Respect all forms by which knowledge is communicated.
3. Use technology intelligently to enhance service.
4. Protect free access to knowledge.
5. Honor the past and create the future.