Dr. S. R. Ranganathan
The Father of Library Science in India
Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan was one of the most influential figures in the history of Library Science in India. Although he began his professional career as a mathematics teacher, his appointment as the University Librarian of the University of Madras in 1924 changed the course of his life.
His analytical and mathematical background strongly influenced his approach to classification, cataloguing and knowledge organisation. He developed systems and principles designed around the needs of readers and the efficient organisation and retrieval of information.
He is widely recognised as the Father of Library Science in India.
Formulated in 1928 and published in book form in 1931, the Five Laws remain one of the most influential philosophical foundations of librarianship.
A library is a growing organism.
— Dr. S. R. Ranganathan📚 Colon Classification
First published in 1933, Colon Classification introduced an influential faceted and analytico-synthetic approach to knowledge organisation.
📖 Classified Catalogue Code
First published in 1934, the Classified Catalogue Code provided a systematic approach to catalogue construction and bibliographic organisation.
🎓 Library Education
Ranganathan played a pioneering role in developing formal library education and professional training in India.
🏛️ Public Libraries
He strongly advocated public library development, library legislation and universal access to knowledge.
🔎 Reference Service
His writings and professional work contributed significantly to the development of reference service and bibliography.
🌐 Documentation
His later work helped expand the scope of librarianship toward documentation and information science.
| Year | Initiative / Contribution |
|---|---|
| 1928 | Founded the Madras Library Association (MALA). |
| 1931 | Development of formal library education at the University of Madras. |
| 1946–1948 | Advocated public library legislation in the Madras Presidency, contributing to the public library movement. |
| 1951 | Contributed to the development of higher library education and professional training. |
| 1962 | Established the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Bangalore. |
Ranganathan's Colon Classification (CC), first published in 1933, introduced a major faceted approach to knowledge classification.
P — Personality | M — Matter | E — Energy | S — Space | T — Time
🏅 Padma Shri
Awarded by the Government of India in 1957.
🎓 Honorary Degrees
Received honorary academic recognition from universities in India and abroad.
🌍 International Recognition
His contributions to classification and documentation earned recognition from international professional organisations.
🇮🇳 National Research Professor
Recognised by the Government of India as a National Research Professor in 1965.
12 August is observed in India as National Librarians' Day in honour of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan and his contribution to the library profession.
Ranganathan's ideas remain remarkably relevant in the digital information environment. Libraries today work with e-books, online databases, institutional repositories, digital libraries, metadata, discovery systems, open-access resources and artificial intelligence.
His Fourth Law, "Save the time of the reader," is particularly relevant to modern information retrieval, digital discovery and user-centred library services.
His Fifth Law, "The library is a growing organism," captures the continuing transformation of libraries in response to technological and social change.
His Legacy
Dr. S. R. Ranganathan did much more than create a classification system or formulate five laws. He helped establish librarianship as an academic and professional discipline and placed the reader, service, accessibility and continuous development at the centre of library philosophy.
His legacy continues wherever knowledge is organised, information is made accessible and libraries work to serve society.
Books are for use. Every reader his or her book. Every book its reader. Save the time of the reader. The library is a growing organism.
— The Five Laws of Library Science