Functions of Library

Generally clients of the library think that in library the books magazine are displayed on the racks and is retrieved when it  is required for reading by any reader , they do not known what procedures are followed before any book is in the hand of a reader.

Before knowing the procedures conducted in library for a book , it is better to know the functions of the librarian from the clients / reader’s of view .Dr. S.R.Ranganathan has, for the first time formulated the 5 laws of library service , which are to be satisfied by librarians for the readers and staff also. These are –

1.      Books (now documents) are for use,

To fulfill the First law , it is very much essential to organize the documents in a scientific way , so that it may retrieve whenever required / demanded . And for the technical processes – Classification and cataloging of the books or documents are required.

2.      Every reader his/her book (now document)

For fulfill the second law , we can  follow the ,economic principle ‘demand and supply theory’. Though it is not possible for any Library to purchase each and every book published in the world , but we can follow ‘ Resource sharing policy’ under which we can get books from other libraries on inter library loan/exchange.

3.      Every book (now document) its reader

For the third law , we can say “Best reading for the largest number at the least cost.”  

           

4.      Save the time of the reader

Forth law , it may be concluded “To supply right book to right reader at the right time.”          

5.      Library (and information center) is a growing organism.

According to fifth law , a small library can become bigger and bigger , and we have to face the main problem about space . Therefore, now days we are moving towards E-libraries with E-documents.        

 So, before a book reaches in the hand of a reader , there are many procedures followed in the libraries . These are –

i)                    Acquisition

ii)                  Technical process , like classification and  cataloging

Under acquisition procedure , the  book is procured , entered in accession number registered,stamped,label is posted on the spine, and the data slip is pasted on the back of the last page of the book.

In technical section the book is classified by a standard classification schemes like

LC classification scheme ,

Dewly Decimal classification scheme ,

universal decimal classification scheme or  Ranganathan’s scheme etc;

The main objective of the classification is to bring books of the same subject at one place , and  dissimilar books at the other place.