S.R. Ranganathan: The Mathematician Who Revolutionized Libraries

Have you ever heard of S.R. Ranganathan? He may not be a household name, but this Indian mathematician is considered the "father of library science" in India. Ranganathan's contributions to the field of library science are significant and continue to influence librarians today.

Ranganathan was initially a math professor, but after a brief stint as a librarian, he became passionate about improving libraries and making them more accessible. Here are some of his key achievements:

• Five Laws of Library Science: These are considered the foundation of modern librarianship. They emphasize the importance of making books accessible to users, saving readers' time, and ensuring libraries are constantly evolving.
• Colon Classification system: This is a library classification system that Ranganathan developed as an alternative to the Dewey Decimal System. It is more flexible and can accommodate new knowledge and information.

Ranganathan's work helped to transform libraries from dusty repositories of books into user-friendly spaces that can empower people.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/how-a-math-profs-resignation-100-years-ago-changed-the-world-of-libraries-the-story-of-sr-ranganathan/articleshow/113714866.cms