A Short Biography on Dr. S.R. Ranganathan | Father of Library Science

 

Early life and Education 

Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan was a librarian and mathematician from India(12 August 1892-27 September 1972) Born in shiyali in Tanjavoor District of Tamil Nadu .He is considered to be a "Father of library science in India" & "Prince among the librarians "given by Maurice Gwyer. He was the first person to identified real needs of library science & library education in India. India celebrates August 12 as LIBRARIAN DAY in his honour. His notable contributions to the field were his FIVE LAWS OF LIBRARY SCIENCE & the development of the first Major faceted classification system, the colon classification. His primary education was completed in Sabhanayaka Mudaliar's Hindu high school (shyali).He earned B.A(1913)& M.A Degrees in mathematics from Madras Christian college & presidency college in his home province. Ranganathan began his teaching career in Government arts college,mangalore in 1917.After he joined Presidency college in 1921and left presidency college in 1924 and took charge of Madras university library as University Librarian. Then, he left for England in 1925 to get trained in librarianship and completed 6 months certificate course in library science.

His major works 

He wrote 'colon classification' in year 1933 based on Hindu Philosophy. He developed the concept of 'Librametry' in 1948. He persuaded UNESCO to establish Documentation Centre in New Delhi. He became professor in Delhi university from 1947-1955. and chairman of UGC library commission. He started Document & Research Centre In 1962 (Bangalore) to promote research activities in the field of library science.

He formulated "FIVE LAWS OF LIBRARY SCIENCE" in 1928 at Minakshi college, Allamalai Nagar & published it as book in 1931.He proposed a concept of " LIBRACHINE' which means motor van , to access remote areas. And also used term " library on wheel "for Mobile library.

He founded INDIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION (ILA) in 1933.He also founded the "Sarada Ranganathan endowment for library science" in 1963. He became chairman of Documentation committee of Indian standard institute, New Delhi and chairman of Classification Research group of the International Federation for Documentation between 1952-62.

Awards and accolades 

He is the recipient of the Title " Rao sahib" in 1935 from Indian Government and nominated as National Research Professor in the field of library science in 1965.He received Margaret Mann Award from ALA. The Government of India awarded Padmashri to Ranganathan in 1957 for valuable contributions to Library science.

The Government of India released Postal Stamp in S.R. Ranganathan Honour at official opening of IFLA General Conference(1992)

His Achievements

Ranganathan's major Achievements final major achievement was the establishment of the Documentation and research centre as a department and research Centre in the Indian Statistical institute in Bangalore in 1962, where he served as honorary director for five years. In 1965, the Indian government honoured him for his contributions to the field with a rare title of "National Research Professor."

In the final years of his life, Ranganathan suffered from ill health and was largely confined to his bed. On 27 September 1972.

Influence

several biographical volumes and collections of essays on Ranganathan's influence were published in his honour. Ranganathan's autobiography, published serially during his life, is titled A Librarian Looks Back.