Biographical presentation of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan for H6715, Perspectives on Information Science. Presented by Julinah Sabria and V Somasundram 3 April 2012

1. Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita
Ranganathan
(1892 – 1972)
Julinah Sabria Binte Abu Bakar
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V. Somasundram

2. About S.R. Ranganathan (S.R.R.)
• Mathematician and library science scholar from
India
• Father of library science, documentation and
information science in India
• Contributions has worldwide influence
S.R.Ranganathan, 1964
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3. Growing up
• Born on August 9, 1892 in Shiyali (present day Sirkazhi)
Madras, India
o Father: Ramamrita Ayyar, Mother: Seethalakshmi
o First child and first grandchild of both maternal and paternal
parents
Sitalakshmi (1872 - 1953),
Sirkazhi S.R.R.’s mother
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Image source: http://municipality.tn.gov.in/sirkazhi/

4. Education
• Earned B.A. (1913) and M.A. (1916) degrees in
Mathematics from Madras Christian College
• Shared excellent teacher-student relationships
• Lifelong goal: To teach mathematics
Ranganathan as a student, 1913 Free Powerpoint Templates
Madras Christian College, 1895

5. Career
Taught at Mathematics faculties at Universities in
Mangalore, Coimbatore and Madras
His classes were lively and purposive, earned the
name “born teacher”
Had thrilling intellectual experiences with students
& faculties
Presidency College, Madras SRR and G.A. Srinivasan, Madras (1923)
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6. Family
• Married to Rukmani when he was 15 years old,
in 1907
o Rukmani died in an accident in 1928
• In 1929, he married Sarada
o She was very devoted to S.R.R.
o Helped S.R.R. to work ceaselessly for library profession
o Only had one son, Shri. R. Yogeshwar
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SRR with son, Yogeshwar
Sarada and SRR in Zurich (summer 1954) (June 1937)

7. Some interesting facts about S.R.R.
• Workaholic, spent hours in the library; even
during his leisure hours
• Had a stammering problem which he gradually
overcame during his professional life
• Initiated the first graduate course in Library
Science in 1948, in Delhi University
Discussing with
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8. Stepping into the librarianship….
• Had applied for the post of University Librarian in
the University of Madras (UM) in 1923
• University Management created the post to oversee
their poorly organized collection
• They required someone with research background;
SRR’s papers on mathematics met the requirements
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9. Stepping into the library world
• Initially reluctant to pursue the position (as he had
forgotten about it when he was called for interview)
• Took charge of the University Library on 4th January 1924
Welcome as First Madras University Librarian (1924)
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Madras University

10. Role as an University Librarian
• Found the solitude of the job unbearable
• Begged the university administration for a teaching
position
• A deal with the administration
o Travel to London to learn contemporary Western
practices in librarianship.
o If he still rejected librarianship after the trip, he
will be offered the mathematics lectureship
o Went to University College London, where his
mathematical knowledge came in handy for
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11. Library Education
• Left for England in September 1924 for a 9-month
studies & observation tour
• Went to University College London, where his
mathematical knowledge came in handy for
classification
School of Librarianship, University
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College London

12. Library Education
• W.C. Berwick Sayers, Chief Librarian of Croydon
Public Library and lecturer in the School of
Librarianship, University College London
• Inducted S.R.R. into the library profession
• Under Sayers’ guidance, S.R.R. visited a large
number of libraries
• Libraries  community reading centres
• Services rendered to various strata
• Discovered a social mission for library
profession and himself Powerpoint Templates
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W C Berwick Sayers

13. Contributions
• Wrote large mass of literature about
librarianship; particularly classification
• Was awarded the Padmashri Award by the
Government of India for valuable contributions
to library science
Padmashri.Investiture
in Delhi, SRR Birth Centenary,
29 October 1957 by August 1992.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Indian Post Office
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President of India Templates
issues postage stamp

14. Publications
Indian Library, A., & Ranganathan, S. R. (1951). Indian library directory. Delhi.
Kaula, P. N., & Ranganathan, S. R. (1965). Library science today : Papers contrib. on the 71-
st birthday of S. R. Ranganathan. London: Asia.
Library Seminar on Research in the Social, S., Ranganathan, S. R., & Girja, K. (1960). Social
science research and libraries; papers and summary proceedings, Bombay; New York.
Madras Library, A., & Ranganathan, S. R. (1953). Library legislation. Handbook to the
Madras Library Act. Madras & London.
Madras Library, A., & Ranganathan, S. R. (1963). The five laws of library science. Bombay &
London.
Parkhi, R. S., & Ranganathan, S. R. (1964). Decimal classification and Colon classification in
perspective : with a foreword by S. R. Ranganathan. London: Asia Publishing House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1965). The colon classification, New Brunswick, N.J.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1934). Classified catalogue code. Madras; London: Madras library
association; E. Goldston.
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15. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R. (1938). Theory of library catalogue. Madras; London: Madras library
association; E. Goldston.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1942). School and college libraries. Madras; London: Madras library
association; E. Goldston.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1944a). Library classification: fundamentals & procedure; with 1008
graded examples & exercises. Madras; London: Madras library association; E. Goldston.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1944b). Post-war reconstruction of libraries in India, a scheme. Lahore:
Modern Librarian. Punjab Library Association. Forman Christian College Library.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1945). Elements of library classification : based on lectures delivered at
the University of Bombay in December 1944. Poona: N.K. Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1946a). National library system : a plan for India. Lahore: Indian
Librarian.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1946b). Suggestions for the organization of libraries in India. [Madras,
New York: Indian Branch, Oxford Univ. Press.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1949). Rural adult education. [S.l.]: Blunt.
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16. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R. (1950a). Library catalogue; fundamentals and procedure. [Madras:
Madras Library Association.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1950b). Library development plan : thirty-year programme for India
with draft library bills for the Union and the constituent states. Delhi: University of Delhi.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1951a). Classification and communication. Delhi: University of Delhi.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1951b). Philosophy of library classification. Copenhagen; New York: E.
Munksgaard; Hafner.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1951c). Public library provision and documentation problems : papers
for discussion at the ninth All-India Library Conference, Indore, 11-14 May 1951. Delhi;
London: Indian Library Association ; G. Blunt & Sons.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1952). Dictionary catalogue code. Madras: Madras Library Association.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1953). Rendering of South Asian names : a report. S.l.: s.n.].
Ranganathan, S. R. (1955). Heading and canons; comparative study of five catalogue codes.
Madras: S. Viswanathan.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1957a). Library science and the resilience of its laws. London: North-
western Polytechnic, School of Librarianship. Powerpoint Templates
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17. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R. (1957b). Prolegomena to library classification. London: The Library
Association.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1959b). Elements of library classificaton : based on lectures delivered at
the University of Bombay in December 1944 and in the Schools of Librarianship in Great
Britain in December 1956. London: Association of Assistant Librarians.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1959c). Library administration. Bombay: Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1959d). Retrospective bibliography of Asian learned periodicals. Paris:
Service photographique, UNESCO.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1960). Library manual, for library authorities, librarians, and honorary
library workers. New York: Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1961a). Education for leisure. New York: Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1961b). Reference service. London: Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1963b). Documentation and its facets : being a symposium of seventy
papers by thirty-two authors. New York: Asia Pub. House.
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18. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R. (1963d). Documentation periodicals: coverage, arrangement, scatter,
seepage, compilation. Bangalore: Documentation Research and Training Centre.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1963f). Library week souvenir. Bangalore: Mysore Library Association
Ranganathan, S. R. (1963g). The organization of libraries. London: Oxford University Press.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1964). Comments on Model Public Libraries Bill prepared by the Central
Ministry of Education : an evaluation. Pune: Si. Ra. Satkara Samiti.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1966a). Library development plan with a draft library bill for Kerala
State. Trivandrum: S.G.P., Govt. Press.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1966b). Seminar technique. New Delhi: Indian Adult Education
Association.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1967a). A descriptive account of the colon classification. Bombay; New
York: Asia Pub. House.
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19. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R. (1967b). Ramanujan : the man and the mathematician. Bangalore:
Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1968). Free book service for all. Bombay: Pub. for the Mysore Library
Assoc. by Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1971). Education and library system of the nation. Bangalore: Mysore
Library Association.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1972). Difficulties of government documents, James Childs, Gilbert
Mudge Award (1971). Bangalore: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1973). Documentation: genesis and development. Delhi: Vikas Pub.
House.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1988). Library manual : for library authorities, librarians and library
workers. Bangalore; New Delhi: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science ;
Distributors UBS Publishers' Distributors Ltd.
Ranganathan, S. R. (1990). Indian library manifesto. New Delhi: ABC Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & All India Library, C. (1953). Depth classification and reference service
& reference material : papers for discussion at the tenth All-India Library Conference,
Hyderabad, 1-4 June 1953, Delhi. Free Powerpoint Templates

20. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, G. (1970). Conflict of authorship; corporate body vs
corporate body. Bangalore: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, G. (1974). Cataloguing practice : [by] S.R.
Ranganathan. London: Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Conference, I. (1963). Documentation and the spiral of library service
: IASLIC Conference, presidential address, 5, Poona, 1963. Poona?: s.n.].
Ranganathan, S. R., & Dobrowolski, Z. (1964). Classification research 1957-1963 : Trend
report (India). Copenhagen: Danish Centre of Documentation.
Ranganathan, S. R., Donker Duyvis, F., & Kaula, P. N. (1965). Library science today :
Ranganathan Festschrift. London: Asia Publ. House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Girja, K. (1960). Social science research and libraries : papers and
summary proceedings ot the library seminar on research in the social sciences, New Delhi,
2-4 Jan 1959. Bombay: Asia Publishing House.
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21. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R., & Gopinath, M. A. (1966). Library book selection. Bombay; New York:
Asia Publishing House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Indian Adult Education, A. (1953). Literature for neo-literates being
report of the 3rd National Seminar of the Indian Adult Education Association held at Jamai
Millia, Okhla, 20 to 26 December, 1952. Delhi: Atma Ram.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Indian National Scientific Documentation, C. (1954). Annals of library
science. Annals of library science.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Kaula, P. N. (1965). Library science today : papers contributed on the
71st birthday of S.R. Ranganathan, 12 August 1962. Bombay: Asia Publishing House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Kaula, P. N. (1992). A Librarian looks back : an autobiography of Dr.
S.R. Ranganathan. New Delhi: ABC Pub. Hosue : Exclusive distributors, UBS Publishers'
Distributors.
Ranganathan, S. R., Kaula, P. N., & Das Gupta, A. K. (1965). Ranganathan festschrift. New
York: Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Kumar, G. (1960). Social science research and libraries. Bombay: Asia
Publishing House.
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22. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R., & Muthukumaraswamy, R. (1961). Commemoration bibliography of the
first 1008 books published by the South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society,
Tinnevelly, Limited. Madras: South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society,
Tinnevelly, Ltd.
Ranganathan, S. R., & National, L. (1993). Dr. S.R. Ranganathan : a tribute : on the occasion
of his centenary celebrations. Calcutta: National Library.
Ranganathan, S. R., Navalani, K., & Satija, M. P. (1993). Petits petales : a tribute to S.R.
Ranganathan. New Delhi: ABC Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Neelameghan, A. (1966). Library service for all. Bangalore: Mysore
Library Association.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Neelameghan, A. (1975). Physical bibliography for librarians. New
York: Asia Pub. House.
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23. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R., Neelameghan, A., & All-India Seminar on Public Library, S. (1972).
Public library system: India, Sri Lanka, U.K., U.S.A.; comparative library legislation based on
the papers and proceedings of the All-India Seminar on Public Library System, Bangalore,
28 to 20, April, 1972. Bangalore: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science.
Ranganathan, S. R., Neelameghan, A., & Gupta, A. K. (1968). Free book service for all; an
international survey. Bombay; New York: Published for the Mysore Library Association by
Asia Pub. House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Palmer, B. I. (1972a). Impact of growth in the universe of
classification / view through a bibliography / by Bernard I. Palmer. Copenhagen: Danish
Centre for Documentation.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Palmer, B. I. (1972b). Ranganathan memorial issue. Copenhagen:
Danish Centre for Documentation.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Quayyum, Z. (1993). New horizons for jute. Ahmedabad, India:
National Information Centre for Textile and Allied Subjects.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Sivaraman, K. M. (1951). Library manual. Delhi: Indian Library
Association.
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24. Publications
Ranganathan, S. R., Sivaraman, K. M., & Sundaram, C. (1940). Reference service and
bibliography. With a foreword by Sir Maurice Linford Gwyer. Madras; London: The Madras
library association; E. Goldston.
Ranganathan, S. R., Social Science Documentation, C., & International Conference on
Ranganathan's, P. (1985). Dr S.R. Ranganathan : a bibliography. New Delhi: Social Science
Documentation Centre, Indian Council of Social Science Research.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Sundaram, C. (1940). Reference service and bibliography. Madras;
London: The Madras Library Association ; E. Goldston.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Tamil Nadu Librarian's, C. (1969). Library-science-based library
service. Madras: New Century Book House.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Unesco. (1950). Classification, coding and machinery for search.
Paris: UNESCO.
Ranganathan, S. R., & Unesco. Field Science Cooperation Office for South, A. (1953). Union
catalogue of learned periodical publications in South Asia. London: Indian Library
Association.
Tirunelveli Tennintiya Caivacittanta Nurpatippuk, K., Ranganathan, S. R., &
Muthukumaraswamy, R. (1961). Commemoration bibliography of the first 1008 books
published by the South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society, Tinnevelly, Limited.
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Tirunelveli.

25. Notable Contributions
Image source: Image source:
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http://openlibrary.org

26. Image source: http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com
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27. Law No. 1
Books are
for use
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28. Law No. 1: Books are for use
• S.R.R. observed that books were often chained to
prevent their removal and that the emphasis was on
storage and preservation rather than use.
• He asserted that the purpose of such activities was
to promote the use of them. Without the use of
materials, there is little value in the item.
• By emphasizing use, Ranganathan refocused the
attention of the field to access-related issues, such
as the library's location, loan policies, hours and
days of operation, as well as such mundanities as
library furniture and the quality of staffing.
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29. Law No. 2
Every reader
his [or her]
book
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30. Law No. 2: Every reader his [or her] book
• This law suggests that every member of the
community should be able to obtain materials
needed.
• Librarians should have excellent first-hand
knowledge of the people to be served.
• Collections should meet the special interests of the
community, and libraries should promote and
advertise their services extensively to attract a wide
range of users.
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31. Law No. 3
Every book
its reader
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32. Law No. 3: Every book its reader
• Each item in a library has an individual or individuals
who would find that item useful.
• Ranganathan argued that the library could devise
many methods to ensure that each item finds it
appropriate reader.
• One method involved the basic rules for access to
the collection, most notably the need for open
shelving.
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33. Law No. 4
Save the
time of the
reader
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34. Law No. 4: Save the time of the reader
• This law is a recognition that part of the excellence
of library service is its ability to meet the needs of
the library user efficiently.
• Ranganathan recommended the use of appropriate
business methods to improve library management.
• Centralizing the library collection in one location
provided distinct advantages.
• Excellent staff would not only include those who
possess strong reference skills, but also strong
technical skills in cataloging, cross-referencing,
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35. Law No. 5
The library is
a growing
organism
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36. Law No. 5: The library is a growing organism
• This law focused more on the need for internal
change than on changes in the environment itself.
• Library organizations must accommodate growth in
staff, the physical collection, and patron use.
• Allowing for growth in the physical building, reading
areas, shelving, and in space for the catalog.
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37. Literature about S.R.R. & his five laws
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38. Relevance of the Five Laws today
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39. Relevance of the Five Laws today
• Ranganathan sees the library as an institution that is
active in a constantly changing environment, and
according that, the institute should change and
adapt itself with spirit of time so it can serve best
those who need it.
• Even in the 1930s, Ranganathan realized the
importance of placing the readers and their needs at
the center, making him ahead of his time.
• This understanding is not new to academic libraries,
but although an effort is being made to satisfy user's
information needs, there is still more to be done in
this critical field.
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40. Relevance of the Five Laws today
• In order to do that the academic library must expand
its boundaries and position itself as a significant
player in the new information environment, as an
important aid in the creation and distribution of
academic information and knowledge, to create a
reality in which the library is indeed a living, growing
organism.
• Innovation and creativity is needed for pro-activism.
Success in such initiative is a road in which the
academic library can turn Ranganathan's vision into
the evolutionary reality.
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41. References
Bates, M. J., & Maack, M. N. (2010). Encyclopedia of library
and information sciences: Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press,
c2010.
3rd ed. / Marcia J. Bates, editor-in-chief ; Mary Niles
Maack, associate editor.
Gorman, M. (1998). The five laws of library science then &
now. [Article]. School Library Journal, 44(7), 20.
Kuronen, T., & Pekkarinen, P. (1999). Ranganathan
revisited: a review article. [Feature Article]. supplements to
the five laws of library science, 31(1), 45-48.
McMenemy, D. (2007). Ranganathan's relevance in the
21st century. [Article]. Library Review, 56(2), 97-101. doi:
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10.1108/00242530710730268

42. References
Ranganathan, S. R. (1988). The five laws of library science /
by S.R. Ranganathan: Bangalore : Sarada Ranganathan
Endowment for Library Science ; New Delhi : Exclusive
distributors, UBS Publishers' Distributors, 1988.
Ed. 2 reprinted.
Satija, M. P. (1987). Sources of research on Ranganathan
bibliographical essay (Vol. 19, pp. 311-320).
Images source:
Krishnamurthy, M. Dr. S. R. Ranganathan : access portal to
works by and on him. Retrieved 1st April, 2012, from
http://www.isibang.ac.in/~library/portal/
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43. Q&A
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44. Thank you!
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