• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.253-269
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• 2011

Dr. S. R. Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science were published in 1931 which is a classic work. This article describes in detail the Five Laws of Library Science and their implications on library activities. These laws have provided a scientific approach to library science. They constitute the philosophical basis for work and services of all types of libraries. These also provide guidance in the practice of Library and Information Science. He author emphasises that these will provide source of inspiration and guidance in the years to come. Every student and teacher of library Science and librarian must give a thought to the implications of these laws. In the changing environment of libraries in the emerging society has to fall with in the purview of these laws. The imperatives motivated by these five laws at the time of Ranganathan and in the present days have been identified. The new interpretations of the five laws with the various current nomenclature of Library and Information Science and other allied subjects have been enumerated. These new interpretations of these Laws shows that in today's international world of librarianship, Ranganathan's Five laws are much important and relevant what was before and even it is increasing. These Laws became the cornerstones of the philosophy of the techniques of Western society's library experts. The author concludes that the vision and legacy of Ranganathan will continue to be an inspiration and guiding spirit for the emergence of the new library and information profession. These will serve as source of inspiration and guidance in the years to come. It is not whether Ranganathan is by himself relevant to-day, but it is we who can make him relevant by studying and applying his principles and practices in different areas of library management.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.309-326
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• 2011

There have been several milestones in the history of library classification but most of the schemes failed to meet the new challenges in the organisation of information. Dr. S. R. Ranganathan tried to revolutionise the whole thinking on classificatory approach, when he devised the Colon Classification (CC) in 1933. He developed the Colon Classification scheme with a sound theoretical background based on normative principles, Five laws of Library science, canons, etc. One important feature of CC is that, its use is not confined to information storage and retrieval alone. This paper presents an over view of different editions of the CC highlighting the salient features of the editions. Further the implication of Five Laws of Library Science has been described. The authors stressed that the features of such as greater hospitality, specificity and mixed notation has paved the way to design and develop the depth schedules on various micro level subjects and so far about 130 micro schedules have been published. The impressions by the leading LIS professionals during and after Ranganathan's time have been highlighted. The authors expressed the fear that when the library world would see the complete version of the seventh edition of CC? It may be due to lack of institutional support engaging in the research or financial constraints. The authors are of the opinion that any scheme to flourish needs a sound research body to bring out the revised editions as done in the case of Dewey Decimal Classification. The relevance of the CC in the contemporary world of Librarianship is discussed. Finally concludes that CC needs to be resuscitated as it is a precious national heritage; and still a force for the management of libraries.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.271-286
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• 2011

The role of information in knowledge society has changed. Library refers to information centre, which is actively involved information collection and promoting use of for the development of individual and society. Modern libraries are the centres of interaction for all interested in accessing information and in participating in the marathon of the present competitive age. Information and a conducive environment of its free flow is a vital tool in all forms of human endeavour. It is the link pin of national development. For a nation to develop it needs to have and provide relevant, updated and adequate information on food security, health, democracy, population, education, family planning, youth empowerment, gender quality, environment etc. The information intermediaries are the persons to modulate these complexities and find match between the information sources and users needs to satisfaction of Ranganathan's law: Books are for use; Every reader his/her book; Every book its reader; Save the time of the reader; Library is a growing organism. The relative importance of these norms in modern context has been evident from experience, study, observations, discussions, etc., and only by scientists and technologists, but also by managers, planners, and policy makers. They recognize the usefulness of information in the performance of their needs information needs. Libraries are therefore proper management, provision and dissemination of such information. It is clearly visible in the contemporary context, that the libraries in the knowledge society are much more than the book depositories This article looks at the theory/practice divide in library and information science and particularly Ranganathan's contributions, basic statements remain as valid in substance if not in expression as -to-day as when they were promulgated, concisely representing the ideal service and organizational philosophy of libraries today.