Five Laws of Library science 

The five laws are:

1. Books are for use

2. Every reader his/her books

3. Every book its reader

4. Save the time of the user

5. Library is a growing organism

Books are for use

The first law of Library Science is 'Books are for use'. No one will question the correctness of this law but the story in actual practice is different. Historically, in the 15th and 16th century in Europe, books were chained to the selves. In those days, libraries were meant for storage rather than for use. At a later stage, books were made available to those people who paid a fee, but now the book lending is free for users. Modern libraries are attractive, comfortable and a number of special services are introduced to ensure optimum utilisation of books. A modern librarian is happy when the readers make their shelves constantly empty. He/she is worried and depressed on seeing those books which remain in the library only. Librarians take initiatives to make the library a centre of intellectual achievements by increasing the use of books.

Implications :- 

1.Library location  

2. Library Hours  

3. Library Furniture / Air / Light

 

Second Law: Every Reader his/her Book
 

The second law of library science has established a new concept of libraries and has inculcated the culture of libraries. 'Every Reader his/her Books' means, books for all. Books for all symbolises 'Education for All.' In the past, education was not for all, it was only for the chosen few. The second law states that every user of the library should get the book he/she wants. This law also advocates the generalisation and democratisation of library services. In earlier days, the access to libraries and their books were only available to those few who belonged to the aristocracy and the upper classes. Now, the library services have become the basic right of all citizens, without any distinction or discrimination. Thus,the second law 'Every Reader his/her Books' has assumed great importance in this age of democracy. The second law supports the principal of equality of opportunity for books for all and provides a suitable environment for all to learn.

Implications :- 

1.obligation of the State / the Government

2. Obligation of the library Authority

3. Responsibily of Library Staffs

4. Responsibily of Library Readers / users

5. Services for blind and handicraft

6. Service for Slam Areas

7. Right to education / right to read

8. Selection of books

9. Extension Services

10. Staff Selection

11. Library Cess

 

Third Law: Every Book its Reader

 

The third law is: "Every Book its Reader". It ensures the maximum utilisation of books by the readers. This law advocates providing an appropriate reader for every book. The first law is developed to satisfy the interest of library documents, the second law is concerned with the task of finding an appropriate book for every reader and the third law expects that an appropriate reader should be found for every book. The most prominent system used by the libraries for satisfying the third law is 'Open Access System', while the other library activities related to this are shelf-arrangement, catalogue entries, reference work, publicity methods, book selection and extension work.

 Implications :- 

1. Open Access

2. Shelf arrangement / APUPA

3. Display of Books

4. Classification and Cataloguing

Fourth Law: Save the Time of the Reader

 The main concern of the first three laws of library science is to facilitate access to books by their appropriate reader, and to optimise the usage of library collection. The fourth law focuses on the services for the readers to save the time of the reader as well as staff. The law expects the reference staff to support readers from the very moment they enter the library, up to the moment they leave it, critically examining each and every process they involve themselves in, with a care to save their time.

 Implications :-

1. Circulations / issue method

2. Refrence Service 

3. Centralized / Pre-natal Cataloguing

4. Stack Room Guides

5. Classified Arrangement

Fifth Law: Library is a Growing Organism 

 The fifth Law is 'Library is a growing organism'. This law enunciates a fundamental rule and principle which govern planning and organisation of libraries. The fifth law handles the library as an institution which has all the qualities of a growing organism. A growing organism has the inherent feature of natural growth, deterioration, change in size, development of new shapes and forms, etc.

 Implications :-

1. Networking , Digitization, Use of information technlogy etc 

2. Child and Adult Growth 

3. Growrh and developemnt 

4. Use of pencil for call number