2008SpringQ5

S.R. Ranganathan proposed several essential truths about library and information science in his Five Laws of Library Science (1931):

“1. Books are for use. 2. For every reader, his [or her] book. 3. For every book, its reader. 4. Save the time of the reader. 5. A library is a growing organism.”

Ranganathan created these laws over 75 years ago. Since that time there have been many changes to our profession and our practices resulting from developments in information technology, standards and communications. Select any two of Ranganathan’s five laws, and for each (1) discuss what the law meant during Ranganathan’s time in a ‘traditional’ library environment, and (2) discuss what the same law means today.