Foundation of Library and Information Science

302 Pages·2013·1.66 MB·English

Foundation
of
Library
and

Information
Science
DLIS001
FOUNDATION OF LIBRARY AND
INFORMATION SCIENCE
Copyright © 2013, Kavita Gaur
All rights reserved
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Lovely Professional University
Phagwara
SYLLABUS
Foundation of Library and Information Science
Objectives:
(cid:2) To develop in student’s potential for critical thinking particularly concerning goals of Libraries and Information Centres.
(cid:2) To train students for a professional career in Library and Information Services.
(cid:2) To train students in handling information resources (Print and non-print).
(cid:2) To facilitate access and provision of information sources.
(cid:2) To train students in using Information Technology tools and techniques in information access, service, management
and archival activities.
(cid:2) To further the state of the art in Library and Information Science through extension, research and publication activities.
Sr. Content
No.
1 Concept of Library: Definition, Need, Purpose, Functions.
Five Laws of Library Science.
2 Place of Library in Dissemination of Information: Changing role of library in socio-
economic development, education and recreation.
3 Library Cooperation: Definition, types, levels. Resources sharing and networking.
Library Extension Services.
4 Types of Libraries: Public, Academic, Special and National. (Definition, purpose and
functions of each type of library.)
5 Library Without Wall: Brief introduction to digital and virtual libraries.
6 Library Associations in India, U.K and USA: ILA, IASLIC, CILIP, SLA.
7 Library Legislation: Need, purpose and factors. A brief account of its present position
in India.
8 Copyright Act: Copyright Act, Press and Registration Act and Delivery of books (public
libraries Act).
9 Library Profession: Librarianship as a profession, Professional ethics.
10 Promoters of Library and Information Services: RRRLF,UNESCO, IFLA
CONTENTS
Unit 1: Concept of Library Science 1
Unit 2: Laws of Library Science 19
Unit 3: Place of Library in Dissemination of Information 40
Unit 4: Library Cooperation 60
Unit 5: Resource Sharing and Networking 75
Unit 6: Public Libraries 98
Unit 7: Academic Libraries 117
Unit 8: Special Libraries 142
Unit 9: National Libraries 157
Unit 10: Digital and Virtual Libraries 176
Unit 11: Library Associations: India, UK and USA 199
Unit 12: Library Legislation 223
Unit 13: Acts Related to Library Legislation 241
Unit 14: Library Profession 260
Unit 15: Promoters of Library and Information Services 280

Unit 1: Concept of Library Science
Unit 1: Concept of Library Science Notes
CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
1.1 Definition of Library Science
1.2 History of Library Science in India
1.2.1 Medieval Period
1.2.2 Period of Modern Cycle (till 19th Century)
1.2.3 20th Century
1.3 Need of Library
1.4 Purpose of Library
1.5 Functions of Library
1.6 Summary
1.7 Keywords
1.8 Review Questions
1.9 Further Readings
Objectives
After studying this unit, you will be able to:
(cid:2) Discuss the definition of Library Science
(cid:2) Explain the history of Library Science in India
(cid:2) Describe the need of Library
(cid:2) Discuss the purpose of Library
(cid:2) Explain the functions of Library
Introduction
Library and Information Science are very essential for the development of a society. It helps in
overall personality development and quality of life of a human being. It also helps in the
preservation and conservation of cultural heritage of a country. The information as resource is
very crucial for the development of a country. The libraries are responsible for socio-economic
development. Now a day, progress of a country is measured on the basis of “information rich”
or “information poor”. LIS can also be seen as an integration of the two fields – library science
and information science, which were separate at one point. The purpose of this unit is to enable
the students to comprehend basic expressions. At the end of this unit, you should be able to
understand the definition, history, need, purpose and functions of Library Science.
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Foundation of Library and Information Science
Notes 1.1 Definition of Library Science
Library science is basically the study of how to operate a library. The field is made up of several
branches, including public services, technical services and administration. It is referred to as
“library and information science” at many colleges and universities because librarians work
with physical books as well as virtual information. Library science (often termed library studies
or library and information science) is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies
the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and
other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of
information resources; and the political economy of information. The first American school for
library science was founded by Melvil Dewey at Columbia University in 1887.
ALA glossary of Library and Information Science has defined library as “a collection of materials
organized to provide physical, bibliographical and intellectual access to a target group, with a staff that is
trained to provide services and programmes related to the information needs of the target groups.”
According to Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, the father of library science in India, “a library is a public
institution or establishment charged with the care of collection of books, the duty of making them accessible
to those who require the use of them and the task of converting every person in its neighbourhood into a
habitual library goers and reader of books.”
The word “Library Collection” is synonymous with holdings. It is the total accumulation of
books and other materials owned by a library, organized and catalogued for ease of access by its
users. Encyclopaedia of Library and Information Science describes library collection as “the sum
total of library material – books, manuscripts, serial, government documents, pamphlets, catalogues, report,
recording, microfilms reels, micro cards and microfiche, punched cards, computer tapes etc. that make up
the holding of a particular type of library.”
Historically, library science has also included archival science. This includes how information
resources are organized to serve the needs of select user group, how people interact with
classification systems and technology, how information is acquired, evaluated and applied by
people in and outside of libraries as well as cross-culturally, how people are trained and educated
for careers in libraries, the ethics that guide library service and organization, the legal status of
libraries and information resources, and the applied science of computer technology used in
documentation and records management.
There is no generally agreed-upon distinction between the terms “library science”,
“librarianship”, and “library and information science”, and to a certain extent they are
interchangeable, perhaps differing most significantly in connotation. The term “Library and
Information Science (LIS)” is most often used; most librarians consider it as only a terminological
variation, intended to emphasize the scientific and technical foundations of the subject and its
relationship with information science. LIS should not be confused with information theory, the
mathematical study of the concept of information. LIS can also be seen as an integration of the
two fields’ library science and information science, which were separate at one point.
Notes Library philosophy has been contrasted with library science as the study of the
aims and justifications of librarianship as opposed to the development and refinement of
techniques.
Libraries are collections of books and other media. Sometimes, these books can be found inside
of a building, such as your city or town’s public library. Readers can check out, or borrow these
books and return them by their due dates. Sometimes, the books can be found and read online
through digital libraries, which let readers enjoy the information from home. In fact, the
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Unit 1: Concept of Library Science
information found in libraries isn’t limited to books. Articles, encyclopedias, magazines, records, Notes
CDs and DVDs can be found in libraries as well. Some people enjoy going to the library to use
the internet, watch puppet shows, and listen to stories or use one of the library’s meeting or
study rooms. Whether you want to read a great story, find a useful article for an assignment, or
listen to music, there’s sure to be a library that can help you on your quest.
A library is an organized collection of information resources made accessible to a defined
community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and
may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both. A library’s collection can include
books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs,
cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audio books, databases, and other formats.
Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several million items.
Did u know? The first libraries consisted of archives of the earliest form of writing – the
clay tablets in cuneiform script discovered in Sumer, some dating back to 2600 BC. These
written archives mark the end of prehistory and the start of history. Private or personal
libraries made up of written books appeared in classical Greece in the 5th century BC.
A library is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, a corporation, or
a private individual. Public and institutional collections and services may be intended for use by
people who choose not to – or cannot afford to – purchase an extensive collection themselves,
who need material no individual can reasonably be expected to have, or who require professional
assistance with their research. In addition to providing materials, libraries also provide the
services of librarians who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting
information needs. Libraries often provide quiet areas for studying, and they also often offer
common areas to facilitate group study and collaboration. Libraries often provide public facilities
for access to their electronic resources and the Internet. Modern libraries are increasingly being
redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many
sources. They are extending services beyond the physical walls of a building, by providing
material accessible by electronic means, and by providing the assistance of librarians in navigating
and analysing very large amounts of information with a variety of digital tools.
Self Assessment
State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. The first American school for library science was founded by Melvil Dewey at Columbia
University in 1987.
2. There is no generally agreed-upon distinction between the terms library science,
librarianship, and library and information science.
3. Library science has also included archival science.
1.2 History of Library Science in India
The first libraries were only partly libraries, and stored most of the unpublished records, which
are usually viewed as archives. The archaeological as well as literary evidence (written by
Chinese travellers in India) make it clear that writing and reading of manuscripts were regularly
practiced in ancient period since the 4th century B.C. to the 6th century after Christ. This must
have led to the growth and development of collection of manuscripts in important centres of
learning. The important library of that period was that of Nalanda University of Bihar in the 4th
century AD. The library was said to be in three grandest buildings, the area of which was called
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Notes “Drama Ganja” meaning mast of religion. The other important academic library of that period
was Vikramshila, Odantapuri, Somapuri, Jaggadal, Mithila, Vallabhi, Kanheri, etc. During that
period there was a considerable activity in South India too, and there was a tradition about the
libraries in that period known as sangam age. The Buddhist of India laid special emphasis on the
writing of manuscripts and maintaining their collection. The Jains and Hindus also made immense
contribution in the field of learning. They patronized education and literary activities, established
innumerable institution called Upasrayas and Temple College. Acharya Nagarjuna, the founder
of Mahayana Buddhism is known to have maintained a library on the top floor of the university
building. It was also said that Taxila has a rich library.
1.2.1 Medieval Period
The medieval cycle may be roughly taken to have ended with the 17th century. It was during the
ascending phase of this cycle that the giant intellectual and spiritual leaders such as Sankara,
Ramanuja and Madheva flourished.
1. Personnel Libraries: From the earliest times, the kings and nobles of India patronized
education and encouraged writing of manuscripts and their preservation. Even the princes
of small states maintained their manuscripts libraries. The tradition was continued till the
nineteenth century. The emperors of Timuride dynasty were patrons of learning. With the
exception of Aurangzeb all the early Mughal rulers extended their support to art, music
and literature. The libraries also made remarkable progress during their times. Humayun
converted a pleasure house in Purana Quila in Delhi into a library. Akbar maintained an
“imperial library”; he was also instrumental in introducing reforms in the classification
and storage of books. Jahangir is said to have maintained a personnel library which
moved with him wherever he went.
2. Public Libraries: In the 17th and the 18th century, the development of libraries received an
impetus due to rise of European settlement in India. From 1690, Calcutta began to develop
as one of the principal English settlement, when a large number of British began to settle
there. Subsequently, the circulation and subscription libraries came into being. The East
India Company established the Fort St. David library in 1707 at Cuddalore. In the year
1709, the society for promotion of Christian Knowledge sent out a circulating library to
Calcutta, the first of its kind in India. Subsequently, a number of such libraries were
established in India, the notable among them were Fort St. George library (1714), East
India Company’s library, Bombay (1715), John Andrews circulating library at Fort William,
Calcutta (1770), the Calcutta Circulating Library (1787), etc.
1.2.2 Period of Modern Cycle (till 19th Century)
Following are the Period of Modern Cycle till the 19th century:
1. Public Libraries: The role of Mughal rulers and missionaries in establishment of some
libraries also find their way to modern cycle. Some of the scattered manuscripts of the
early periods have been collected and preserved in many modern manuscripts libraries.
These are found in many States in India. Those of Baroda, Banaras, Bombay, Calcutta,
Madras, Mysore, Poona, Tanjavur and Trivandrum are well known.
The year 1808 is considered an important period during which the then Government of
Bombay initiated a proposal to register libraries which were to be given copies of books
published from “funds for the encouragement of literature”. This has been the first attempt
to register the libraries and assist them with literature by the government.
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