Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan

Cataloguing

In addition to creating a classification scheme, I also designed the Classified Catalogue Code, published in 1934. It was probably the first comprehensive code for a classified catalogue. After the Classified Catalogue Code was published, I turned my attention toward developing a theory of cataloguing. Between 1934 and 1937, the rules of the catalogue code occasionally came up for critical examination. As a result of such critical discussions, certain normative principles of cataloguing took shape. Although these were the foundations of the Five Laws, they formed a distinct set of normative principles governing cataloguing theory and practice. This book gave, for the first time, a comprehensive and dynamic theory of cataloguing.

Chain Procedure

My Chain Procedure for deriving subject index entries has been widely accepted by library professionals. It gave a facile method for deriving the headings for subject index entries. In 1950, it was applied on a large scale in the production of the British National Bibliography.

Book Selection

My contribution to the theory of book selection was principally derived from my Five Laws of Library Science. I identified 3 factors that affected book selection:
1. Universe of readers - social pressure and population pressure increase their numbers.
2. Universe of documents - publication pressure is created by the need to produce books not only on conventional and intellectual subjects of old, but also on all kinds of arts and crafts.
3. Finance - pressure caused by the fact that it is limited and inadequate.

Reference Services

Very early in my career as a Librarian, I was introduced to E.C Richardson's theories of "Research Consultants", which he described in his lectures at the London School of Librarianship. This triggered in my mind the concept of deeper and time-consuming reference service, which I called the "Long Range Reference Service". I also identified what I refer to as "Ready Reference Service". I began experimenting with Long Range Reference Service in 1926, and as a result of my studies and experiments, I concluded that reference service is a kind of trialogue among reader, librarian and catalogue.

Library Administration and Management

In 1925, when I took full charge of the administration of the Madras University Library, I started the rationalization of library routines. I estimated that library work could be broken down into one-thousand-odd jobs, and as a result I developed a theory of library management that isolates the following distinctive factors of work:

• Planning
• Job analysis
• Routine
• Elimination of waste
• Correlation
• Time Scheme
• Forms and registers
• Correspondence files and records.

In my attempts to simplify work, I developed various designs of forms and registers, and in particular I developed the three-card system for the control of receipt and payment for periodical publication. I also initiated work in manpower planning, and my staffing formula provided a procedure for estimating the number of staff members needed for library work. I want to emphasize that concepts such as budget and budgeting control, cost accounting, and cost control are as important in library management as in any industrial management.

Organization and Library Systems

The organization of library and information systems was one of my very favourite activities. My goal was to develop a legislation-based library network for public libraries, and I worked very hard at drafting several library bills in order to achieve the acceptance of the concept of a public library system by various constituent states of India. I am very proud of my theories on a holistic approach to library systems development.

Library Housing

I expressed very early on in my career, and through my Laws, that the environment of the library is very important to the health of the institution. I solidified the theory and practice for library buildings and furniture through a pragmatic analysis of the functional layout needed for a library building. I found that my experience was enriched by his studies in Anthropometry, psychology, bibliometry and other economic factors in the establishment of standards for library buildings and for library furniture.

Professional Education

Of all of my contributions, I am perhaps most proud of the fact that I established an edifice of high standards for the professional education of librarians in India. The establishment of post graduate coursed in the universities, the curriculum and the text books for such coursed, and the establishment of cadres for professional excellence were some of my important contributions. I feel that because of my efforts India took the lead in establishing master's degree and Ph.D. courses in library science. Procedures for setting guidelines for the establishment of standards for library education were started under the sponsorship of UGC. As Chairman of the Library Science Courses Committee, I aimed for setting a pattern for the courses in library science in the universities.