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Svyasa Digital Library

SVYASA Digital Library

Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan

S. R. Ranganathan, known as the "the father of library science in India," and respected by librarians all over the world, proposed five laws of library science. Most librarians worldwide accept them as the foundations of their philosophy. 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.The library 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.

In 2004, librarian Alireza Noruzi recommended applying Ranganathan's laws to the web in his paper, "Application of Ranganathan's Laws to the Web":

1.Web resources are for use.
2.Every user 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.