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BLIS-01: Library and Society
Assignment

Coverage: Course Code: BLIS-01

Course: Library and Society Assignment Code: AST/TMA/
Unit: 1-16 Total Marks: 100

Note: Answer all questions. All questions carry equal marks.

1.2 State the Five Laws of Library Science. Discuss the implications of the second law.

Solution: The Five Laws of Library Science are some of the most influential concepts in the
field of library science. Since they were published in 1931, these five laws “have remained a
centerpiece of professional values...”.[4] In fact, these basic theories of Library Science continue
to directly affect the development of this discipline and the service of all libraries.

These laws are:

1. Books are for use.

2. Every reader his [or her] book.
3. Every book its reader.
4. Save the time of the reader.
5. The library is a growing organism.

First law: Books are for Use

The first law constitutes the basis for the library services. Ranganathan observed that books
were often chained to prevent their removal and that the emphasis was on storage and
preservation rather than use. He did not reject the notion that preservation and storage were
important, but he asserted that the purpose of such activities was to promote the use of them.
Without the use of materials, there is little value in the item. By emphasizing use, Ranganathan
refocused the attention of the field to access-related issues, such as the library's location, loan
policies, hours and days of operation, as well as such mundanities as library furniture and the
quality of staffing.

Second Law: Every reader his or her book

This law suggests that every member of the community should be able to obtain materials
needed. Ranganathan felt that all individuals from all social environments were entitled to library
service, and that the basis of library use was education, to which all were entitled. These
entitlements were not without some important obligations for both libraries/librarians and library
patrons. Librarians should have excellent first-hand knowledge of the people to be served.

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Collections should meet the special interests of the community, and libraries should promote and
advertise their services extensively to attract a wide range of users.

Third Law: Every book its reader

This principle is closely related to the second law but it focuses on the item itself, suggesting
that each item in a library has an individual or individuals who would find that item useful.
Ranganathan argued that the library could devise many methods to ensure that each item finds it
appropriate reader. One method involved the basic rules for access to the collection, most
notably the need for open shelving.[4]

Fourth Law: Save the time of the reader

This law is a recognition that part of the excellence of library service is its ability to meet the
needs of the library user efficiently. To this end, Ranganathan recommended the use of
appropriate business methods to improve library management. He observed that centralizing the
library collection in one location provided distinct advantages. He also noted that excellent staff
would not only include those who possess strong reference skills, but also strong technical skills
in cataloging, cross-referencing, ordering, accessioning, and the circulation of materials.

Fifth Law: The library is a growing organism

This law focused more on the need for internal change than on changes in the environment
itself. He argued that library organizations must accommodate growth in staff, the physical
collection, and patron use. This involved allowing for growth in the physical building, reading
areas, shelving, and in space for the catalog.

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2.1 Discuss the need, purpose and methods of providing SDI service in libraries.

Solution: Selective dissemination of information (SDI) is defined as “a service provided by a

library or other information agency whereby its users are periodically notified of new
publications, report literature, or other sources of information in subjects in which they have
specified an interest. SDI services offer an important option to users for keeping current with
research. This has always been particularly valued in the health sciences, where new information
can affect patient care.While SDI is often equated with automated searching, it can be provided
in a variety of ways, both manually and electronically. Librarians often provide this type of
service as part of a daily reference function by pointing out new items (articles, books, news
items) to patrons whom they know to be interested in a particular topic. SDI service, while
perhaps not using that label, was available long before automation.Selective dissemination of
information (SDI) services regularly alert users to new information on their chosen topics. This
type of service can increase a user's ability to keep current and may have a positive impact on
efficiency and productivity. Currently, there are many venues available where users can

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establish, store, and automatically run MEDLINE searches.

Need of SDI: These studies echo an earlier report by Lavendel on the specific benefits of SDI
services to the patron, library, and librarian. The patron benefits by receiving updated
information and substantial time savings. The librarian benefits by developing professional
relationships with patrons and developing increased professional expertise and subject
knowledge. The library benefits from an enhanced reputation and increased usage. Lavendel also
suggested that the librarian's role as SDI mediator should connect to the acquisitions department
in terms of forecasting which subjects and materials users need. Yunis, Brandli, and others all
evaluated their SDI services through surveys and found that participants were happy with the
services and that it added value to their work Mondschein performed an in-depth study on the
effect of SDI services on productivity in a corporate research and development department,
which showed a positive relationship between the use of an SDI service and an increase in
productivity. Productivity was measured as the number of articles authored during the time the
SDI service was offered

Purpose of SDI: To describe, evaluate, and compare SDI services for MEDLINE.

Method of SDI: Identical searches were established in four of the six selected SDI services and
were run on a weekly basis over a period of two months. Eight search strategies were used in
each system to test performance under various search conditions. The PubMed Cubby system
was used as the baseline against which the other systems were compared. Other aspects were
evaluated in all six services and include ease of use, frequency of results, ability to use MeSH,
ability to access and edit existing search strategies, and ability to download to a bibliographic
management program.

Results: Not all MEDLINE SDI services retrieve identical results, even when identical search
strategies are used. This study also showed that the services vary in terms of features and
functions offered.

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3.2 What is meant by „library legislation‟ and why is it necessary? Discuss its significant
components.

Solution: Library legislation‟ are rules to be followed strictly by both the owner and the user.
library legislation are kind of law which are supposed to be followed by all like libraries should
keep confidential of any personally identifiable information contained in their circulation records
and exempts such information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Now, any library record, regardless of format, that can be used to identify a library user or link a
user to a library transaction is exempt from disclosure. It bars a library from releasing the
information to a third party without (1) a court order or (2) written permission from the library
user. The bill's confidentiality requirement applies to any library that is regularly open to the
public, including public and private libraries; libraries maintained by industrial, commercial, or
other associations or groups; and libraries maintained by state or local government agencies.

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These changes have many implications for public libraries. The State Library will be providing
some guidance in the near future either on WebJunction or through training. We are soliciting
legal advice on some of the more complex issues involved. Stay tuned.

Public Library Directors and Trustees

The new law eliminates antiquated language for library positions by designating the members of
library governing boards as trustees and the administrative heads as library directors, thus
eliminating confusion between local librarians, the state librarian and library directors and library
boards of directors.

Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development (ACLPD)

The act now allows members of the Advisory Council for Library Planning and Development to
be reappointed for additional two-year terms after serving two consecutive terms and taking at
least a one-year break in service.

Grants to Public Libraries

The revision cleans up language in the section, eliminating confusing sections made necessary by
changes to the law in the 1980's. It also added language strengthening the requirements for free
library service in order to qualify for the grants to public libraries. The Act requires that public
libraries "not charge for borrowing and lending library materials, accessing information, advice
and assistance and programs and services which promote literacy." It also adds language that the
"grant may be used for general library purposes and no portion of the grant money shall revert to
the general fund of the town or towns normally served by such library." This provision makes it
consistent with the language for Connecticard grants.

State Library Board Certificates

The act repeals a law allowing the State Library Board to award certificates to Connecticut
librarians. This provision predated the common requirement for librarians to hold Masters of
Library Science degrees.

Town Clerks
The bill eliminates a statute that explicitly authorizes town clerks to deposit any books in their
custody, other than records, in the public library.

Library Service Center Advisory Boards

Due to the obsolescence of the statute, the new act eliminates the provision for advisory boards
of governors for the library service centers.

State Publication Collection

The bill expands the State Library's state publications collection to include state agency
publications produced in electronic and other intangible formats. By law, the library must
administer the collection, which under current law includes only publications that are printed or
published by or under the direction of a state agency or any other agency supported by state
funds. The bill refers to printed state publications as "tangible" publications and to electronic or
digital publications as "intangible" ones.

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State Library is now required to provide permanent public access to the tangible publications
collection and to a digital archive of the intangible publications. It requires state agencies to
notify the State Library of the existence, availability, and location of intangible publications,
when the agency publishes them. Agencies are already required to provide the library with
copies of their tangible publications.

The State Librarian will no longer have responsibility to help local public libraries to select
books. The bill also eliminates the State Librarian's authority to (a) buy and arrange for loans of
pictures and books to public libraries, schools, and similar organizations he selects and the State
Library Board approves, and (b) advise and assist libraries in the state's charitable and
correctional institutions, according to rules established by the institutions' directors. These were
all obsolete provisions of the library statutes that dated back to the early years of the Public
Library Commission. The public library should serve as a local information centre making the
sources of knowledge readily available to the public. Public libraries should stimulate neo-
literates, semi-literates, non users to become readers, and serve the population with knowledge
and information.

Necessary for Library Legislation:

It is recognised that „freedom, prosperity and the development of a society, and of individuals,
are fundamental human values.‟ These values can be attained through well informed citizens,
who will be shaped through utilisation of public libraries. It is recognised all over the world that
education including the provision for free public libraries is the responsibility of the Government
at National, State and Local levels. A public library is the “People's University”.
In the process of evolution, our country had established good number of public libraries
maintained by local bodies and voluntary organisations, arid some libraries through
subscriptions. But these libraries could not grow on modern lines because :
1) They were started mostly with voluntary efforts and had meagre funds to meet information
needs of the people.
2) The financial support through subscriptions or through public donations could not provide
viable services;
3) The governance and management of these libraries were on adhoc lines without any structure
and resources;
4) Very limited services were provided that too to members;
5) They had no stability nor scope for growth;
6) They functioned only as long as the initial enthusiasm of the founders remained, thereafter
these libraries slowly decayed.

Significant components of library legislation

In modem times, the public libraries must provide services with certain standard, and with an
objective of reconstruction and development of a society. They cannot be achieved only through
individual munificence. A library service on sound lines requires library legislation to get a
perennial source of income. Library leaders, public men, and scholars, have realised that the only
way to establish and develop a public library system is through public law. Pioneers and men of
vision -like Edward Edwards, Dr. S. R. Ranganathan and many others spared no efforts to bring
about library legislation in their respective countries. The UNESCO public Library manifesto-
1994, emphasises that "Public Library is the responsibility of Local and National Authorities. It

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must be supported by specific legislation and financed by National and Local Governments." So,
a public Library is to be maintained efficiently, and permanently with uniform, pulsating and
integrated library service with properly laid out network of library system. A simple executive
order of the State Government will not be able to maintain sound system however good it might
be, and at the same time executive orders cannot generate finances. With the ever growing needs,
and the escalation of prices, the task in financing will be more difficult. Finance needed for the
rising and growing services will be possible only with a State Legislation and library cess.
In brief, the reasons for legislation can be summed up as under:
l) It will constitute. a proper administrative and supervisory body with executive powers;
2) It will provide a well organised library system for the state, district and upto the remote village
level with free access to all the citizens.
3) It will provide a steady and permanent source of finance;
4) It will. maintain standards in library service;
5) It will be obliged to meet the objectives and remain accountable.

Finally, it is to be noted that library and information service is a crucial factor in the national
development for meeting learning needs of the masses.
Thus, it is only through a State Public Library Act that a public library system could be created,
sustained and promoted, ensuring a smooth financial flow, properly governed and managed to
provide modern library services to all.

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4.2 Discuss the role and function of IT in user studies.

Solution: Function of IT in user studies are extended searching are supported by research
carried out in conventional libraries. User studied in IT are the topic of searching in conventional
libraries. As with digital library studies they found that one-shot searches were rare. Rather, they
found that single searches evolved into other kinds of searching which they identified as: ·
Monitoring a topic over time – returning to a search repeatedly to keep up to date with new
developments e.g. returning to specific journals each month to view the new issue, or repeating a
search to find out what new developments have taken place over the last month. · Following an
„information-gathering plan‟ – having a specific set of criteria about what kind of information is
needed, and which information sources would satisfy these criteria. The plan then involves
deciding which sources are most appropriate, and locating the information in them. · Exploring a
topic in an undirected way – having some notion of a topic that is interesting, and exploring
information resources to find out about it. This essentially involves a less well formed plan than
the previous point. Understandings of activities in conventional libraries need to be utilised in
considering what tasks users may wish to complete in digital libraries. Clearly they will not be
the same tasks carried out in the same way, but they provide a starting point from which we can
consider what the differences would be, and why such differences would exist. Similarly, studies
of the use of web-based search engines by Spink et al. (1998) showed that users issue similar
search queries over extended periods of time (similar to the monitoring discussed by O‟Day and
Jeffries). Again, this has implications for the design of digital libraries in terms of allowing people to
save, modify, and review queries for reuse over time. Indeed, Spink et al. regard digital libraries as
part of the web in the broadest sense – as repositories of information. Other opinion

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would contend that igital libraries are more focussed than the web. Nevertheless, understanding
the nature of search and the need to support extended search is important to the development of
successful digital libraries.

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5.0 Write short notes on any two of the following:

(c) INFLIBNET

Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre is an autonomous Inter-University

Centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India. It is a major National Programme
initiated by the UGC in 1991 with its Head Quarters at Gujarat University Campus, Ahmedabad.
Initially started as a project under the IUCAA, it became an independent Inter-University Centre
in 1996.

INFLIBNET is involved in modernizing university libraries in India and connecting them as well
as information centres in the country through a nation-wide high speed data network using the
state-of-art technologies for the optimum utilisation of information. INFLIBNET is set out to be
a major player in promoting scholarly communication among academicians and researchers in
India.

The primary objectives of INFLIBNET as envisaged in Memorandum of Association are:

* To promote and establish communication facilities to improve capability in information

transfer and access, that provide support to scholarship, learning, research and academic pursuit
through cooperation and involvement of agencies concerned.
* To establish INFLIBNET: Information and Library Network a computer communication
network for linking libraries and information centres in universities, deemed to be universities,
colleges, UGC information centres, institutions of national importance and R & D institutions,
etc. avoiding duplication of efforts.
1. to promote and implement computerization of operations and services in the libraries and
information centres of the country, following a uniform standard;
2. to evolve standards and uniform guidelines in techniques, methods, procedures,
computer hardware and software, services and promote their adoption in actual practice by all
libraries, in order to facilitate pooling, sharing and exchange of information towards optimal use
of resources and facilities:
3. to evolve a national network interconnecting various libraries and information centres in
the country and to improve capability in information handling and service;
4. to provide reliable access to document collection of libraries by creating on-line union
catalogue of serials, theses/ dissertations, books, monographs and non-book materials
(manuscripts, audio-visuals, computer data, multimedia, etc.) in various libraries in India:
5. to provide access to bibliographic information sources with citations, abstracts, etc.
through indigenously created databases of the Sectoral Information Centres of NISSAT, UGC
Information Centres, City Networks and such others and by establishing gateways for on-line

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accessing of national and international databases held by national and international information
networks and centres respectively;
6. to develop new methods and techniques for archival of valuable information available as
manuscripts and information documents in difference Indian languages, in the form of digital
images using high density storage media;
7. to optimize information resource utilization through shared cataloguing, inter-library
loan service, catalogue production, collection development and thus avoiding duplication in
acquisition to the extent possible;

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(d) Indian Library Association

Solution:The Indian Library Association is a premier association committed to the cause of

Library Movement and Development.The Indian Library Association is the national association
which represents those who work in or advocate for Indian libraries. ILA members work in
college, university, public, special (corporate, non-profit and government) and school libraries.
ILA has provided a wide variety of services and programs to its members and others in the
library community since its formation in 1933. ILA's Executive Council and its divisions are
advised by others groups and committees.The year 1933 happens to be the most significant year
in the history of Library & Information Science in India. It was September 13, 1933 when Indian
Library Association was formally formed at the First All India Library Conference at Calcutta.

These members gave the Association three fold objectives which included:

(a) the furtherance of the library movement in India;

(b) the promotion of the training of librarians; and
(c) the improvement of the status of librarians.
In 1935 two more objectives were added:
(a) promotion of research in library science; and
(b) co-operation with international organizations with similar objectives.

The 1970 amendment to the constitution added following four more objectives:
(a) publication of bulletins, periodicals, books etc., which tend to the realization of the objects
of the association;
(b) establishment of libraries, documentation & information centres and assistance to their
establishment and working;
(c) promotion of appropriate library legislation in India; and
(d) to do all such other things as are incidental of above mentioned objects.

The amendment dated January 4, 1987 in the constitution has added three more objectives
namely:
(i) providing a common forum to all persons engaged or interested in library and information

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work by holding conferences and meetings for discussion of professional, technical and
organisational issues;
(ii) accreditation of institutions imparting library and information science education and training;
(iii) promotion as well as formulation of standards, norms, guidelines, etc. for management of
Library and Information Systems and Services.

For initial 12 years the office of ILA was housed in the Imperial Library at Calcutta. It was
shifted to Delhi in 1946 and remained there till September 1953 in the University of Delhi and
thereafter it shifted back to Calcutta. In August 1964 the office moved to Delhi again and was
housed in Delhi Public Library. An extra-ordinary General Body Meeting held on May 24,1970
made a change in the constitution to make Delhi/New Delhi as the permanent headquarter of the
Association. Now the office of the Association is housed in its own one room flat located in a
commercial building in north Delhi which was purchased way back in 1978. The office was
finally moved to the present building in April, 1982.

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