Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan Quiz

1. What date is Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan's birthday?

A) 9 August 1892
B) 12 August 1892
C) 27 September 1972
D) 1 January 1900

Correct Answer: A) 9 August 1892. This date is verified in Ranganathan's own writings, marking his birth in Tamil Nadu.

2. What is Ranganathan known as the father of?

A) Mathematics
B) Computer Science
C) Library Science
D) Information Technology

Correct Answer: C) Library Science. Ranganathan's theories and practices established the foundation of modern library science.

3. Where was Ranganathan born?

A) Mumbai
B) Chennai
C) Thanjavur
D) New Delhi

Correct Answer: C) Thanjavur. Ranganathan was born in Thanjavur, a town in Tamil Nadu, India.

4. Which classification system did Ranganathan develop?

A) Dewey Decimal Classification
B) Colon Classification
C) Library of Congress Classification
D) Universal Decimal Classification

Correct Answer: B) Colon Classification. This system is notable for its faceted classification approach, enhancing information organization.

5. When did Ranganathan serve as the University Librarian at the University of Madras?

A) 1924-1944
B) 1944-1955
C) 1955-1965
D) 1924-1944

Correct Answer: D) 1924-1944. He dedicated twenty years to improving the library system in Madras.

6. What were Ranganathan's contributions to library science known as?

A) Five Principles
B) Five Laws
C) Five Rules
D) Five Concepts

Correct Answer: B) Five Laws. These laws serve as foundational principles in library science, guiding library practices.

7. In which year was Ranganathan awarded the Padma Shri?

A) 1954
B) 1957
C) 1960
D) 1970

Correct Answer: B) 1957. This award recognized his significant contributions to the field of library science.

8. Which institution did Ranganathan serve as a professor of library science after leaving Madras?

A) Banaras Hindu University
B) University of Delhi
C) University of Mumbai
D) Aligarh Muslim University

Correct Answer: A) Banaras Hindu University. He taught library science there and cataloged the university's collection.

9. Which role did Ranganathan hold in the Indian Library Association?

A) Secretary
B) Treasurer
C) President
D) Vice-President

Correct Answer: C) President. He led the association from 1944 to 1953, influencing library policies.

10. Ranganathan's book "The Five Laws of Library Science" was published in which year?

A) 1931
B) 1933
C) 1945
D) 1951

Correct Answer: A) 1931. This book introduced his foundational laws for library science.

11. What was the main reason Ranganathan initially hesitated to accept the librarian position at the University of Madras?

A) Lack of interest
B) No formal training
C) Stammering
D) Family obligations

Correct Answer: B) No formal training. He was initially reluctant due to his lack of formal education in librarianship.

12. What major project did Ranganathan undertake while in London?

A) Writing his autobiography
B) Studying library classification
C) Founding a library association
D) Developing digital libraries

Correct Answer: B) Studying library classification. He focused on improving classification methods.

13. Which of the following was a major achievement of Ranganathan at the University of Madras?

A) Creating a digital library
B) Cataloging over 100,000 items
C) Establishing a library school
D) Writing a comprehensive history of libraries

Correct Answer: B) Cataloging over 100,000 items. This task was significant for the university's library system.

14. Ranganathan was recognized as an honorary member of which international organization?

A) UNESCO
B) International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID)
C) World Library Association
D) American Library Association

Correct Answer: B) International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID). This reflects his global recognition in library science.

15. What was Ranganathan's primary focus in his library classification system?

A) Numerical systems
B) Faceted classification
C) Author-based classification
D) Alphabetical order

Correct Answer: B) Faceted classification. This method allows for multiple perspectives and more accurate organization of information.

16. How did Ranganathan contribute to public libraries in India?

A) Writing books
B) Establishing free public libraries
C) Teaching library science
D) Digitizing library collections

Correct Answer: B) Establishing free public libraries. Ranganathan was a strong advocate for accessible library services in India.

17. What was Ranganathan's career before becoming a librarian?

A) Engineer
B) Mathematician
C) Teacher
D) Scientist

Correct Answer: B) Mathematician. Ranganathan initially pursued a career in mathematics before transitioning to librarianship.

18. Ranganathan faced difficulties due to which personal challenge?

A) Dyslexia
B) Stammering
D) Hearing loss

Correct Answer: B) Stammering. Despite this challenge, Ranganathan achieved great success in his career.

19. What was Ranganathan's role during his brief stay in Zürich?

A) Studying mathematics
B) Expanding library contacts
C) Teaching
D) Writing a book

Correct Answer: B) Expanding library contacts. This stay helped him gain recognition in the European library community.

20. What title was Ranganathan awarded in 1965?

A) National Librarian
B) National Research Professor
C) Library Director
D) Distinguished Scholar

Correct Answer: B) National Research Professor. This honor acknowledged his contributions to research in library science.

21. What was one of Ranganathan's notable publications?

A) The Dewey Decimal System
B) Readings from the Ramayana
C) A History of Librarianship
D) Indian Library Science

Correct Answer: B) Readings from the Ramayana. This album reflects his interest in Indian literature and culture.

22. How did Ranganathan prove the need for his classification system?

A) By writing a paper
B) By experimenting with books
C) By teaching students
D) By attending conferences

Correct Answer: B) By experimenting with books. He showcased multiple classifications for single topics, demonstrating flaws in existing systems.

23. In which city did Ranganathan spend his final years?

A) Chennai
B) Bangalore
C) Mumbai
D) Varanasi

Correct Answer: B) Bangalore. He lived there until his death, continuing his contributions to library science.

24. What does the term "Acknowledgment of Duplication" refer to in Ranganathan's work?

A) Multiple authors
B) Dual classification systems
C) Overlapping subjects
D) Repeated publications

Correct Answer: B) Dual classification systems. He argued that every piece of information could be classified in multiple ways.

25. What was a personal hobby of Ranganathan that influenced his work?

A) Painting
B) Gardening
C) Collecting stamps
D) Playing chess

Correct Answer: A) Painting. This artistic interest helped him develop a keen eye for organization and detail.