BIOGRAPHY OF S. R. RANGANATHAN
Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan, popularly known as S.R. Ranganathan was a transformative figure in the field of library science. He was an Indian librarian, mathematician, and visionary whose groundbreaking contributions to library science earned him the title "father of library science" in India.
His development of the Five Laws of Library Science, the Colon Classification system, and numerous theoretical advancements transformed librarianship into a rigorous, user-centered discipline. Ranganathan’s work not only reshaped library practices in India but also left an indelible mark on global information science, influencing classification systems, library education, and access to knowledge.
Contents:
- Early Life and Education
- Entry into Librarianship
- S. R. Ranganathan at University College London
- Background: Why Ranganathan Went to London
- Period at University College London
- Training and Learning Experience
- Exposure to Scientific Librarianship
- Influence of W. C. Berwick Sayers
- Visits to Leading British Libraries
- Birth of Revolutionary Ideas
- Impact of His UCL Experience
- Development of Colon Classification
- Formulation of Five Laws of Library Science (1931)
- Modernization of Indian Libraries
- Personal Transformation
- Historical Significance
- Tenure at Madras University (1924–1944)
- Mid-Career: Banaras and Delhi (1945–1955)
- Later Years: DRTC and Global Legacy (1955–1972)
- Personal Life
- Major Contributions to Library Science
- Publications
- Impact Recognition and Legacy
- Death and Continuing Influence
- Conclusion
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Dr. S. R. Ranganathan was born on August 9, 1892, in Shiyali (now Sirkazhi), in the Madras Presidency of British India (present-day Tamil Nadu). His birth date is sometimes written as 12 August 1892, but he wrote his own birth date as 9 August 1892 in his book, The Five Laws of Library Science. It is important to note that August 12th is celebrated as National Librarian's Day in India, in his remembrance. He was born into a middle-class Brahmin family, where education was highly valued.
His father, Ramamrita Iyer, was a landowner, and his mother, Seethalakshmi, nurtured his early intellectual curiosity. As a child, Ranganathan was frail but exceptionally bright, showing a particular aptitude for mathematics.
Ranganathan excelled academically from an early age but his early life gave little indication of his future career. He attended local schools in Shiyali before enrolling at Madras Christian College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics with honors in 1913. He further pursued a Master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Madras, graduating in 1916.
After completing his education, Ranganathan trained as a teacher and joined the faculty of Presidency College, Madras, as a mathematics lecturer in 1917. He taught at various government colleges in Tamil Nadu, including those in Coimbatore and Mangalore, gaining a reputation as a dedicated educator. However, he found teaching repetitive and yearned for a role that would allow greater intellectual exploration.
ENTRY INTO LIBRARIANSHIP
Ranganathan's transition to library science was serendipitous. In 1923, Ranganathan’s life took a pivotal turn when he was offered the position of University Librarian at the University of Madras, even though he had no prior experience in librarianship. At the time, librarianship in India was an undervalued profession, often seen as clerical work with little intellectual prestige.
Initially hesitant, Ranganathan accepted the role, partly due to job stability and partly out of curiosity. In 1924 he was appointed as the first librarian of the University of Madras. This unexpected appointment sparked a profound interest in the challenges of library management and organization. His lack of formal training in librarianship led the university to send him to London in 1924 to study at the School of Librarianship at University College London, one of the few institutions offering professional library education at the time.
In London, Ranganathan was exposed to modern library practices, including open-access libraries and systematic cataloging. He studied under pioneers like W.C. Berwick Sayers and was particularly inspired by the Dewey Decimal Classification system, though he later critiqued its limitations. His time in London was transformative, sparking a deep and lifelong commitment to the profession. He visited numerous British libraries, observing their operations and user-focused services. This experience ignited a passion for librarianship, and he returned to India in 1925 determined to revolutionize the field.
S. R. RANGANATHAN AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
S. R. Ranganathan’s Time at University College London (UCL) was one of the most transformative phases of his life and played a crucial role in shaping modern library science. Here is a clear and informative overview:
📚 Background: Why Ranganathan Went to London
In 1924, S. R. Ranganathan was appointed as the first librarian of the University of Madras. At that time, he had little formal training in librarianship—his academic background was mainly in mathematics.
Recognizing the need for professional training, the University of Madras sent him to University College London (UCL) to study modern library practices.
🇬🇧 Period at University College London
- Duration: 1924 – 1925 (about one year)
- Institution: School of Librarianship, University College London
- Mentor: W. C. Berwick Sayers (a renowned British librarian and classification expert)
🎓 Training and Learning Experience
1. Exposure to Scientific Librarianship
At UCL, Ranganathan studied:
- Library classification systems
- Cataloguing methods
- Library organization and management
- Reader services and public library practices
He was introduced to systematic and scientific approaches to librarianship, which later became a hallmark of his own work.
2. Influence of W. C. Berwick Sayers
Sayers had a major intellectual influence on Ranganathan.
He encouraged:
- Logical thinking in classification
- Development of flexible and expandable systems
- Use of analytical methods rather than rigid subject arrangement
This mentorship helped Ranganathan develop innovative ideas later used in Colon Classification.
3. Visits to Leading British Libraries
During his stay, Ranganathan visited many important libraries, including:
- British Museum Library
- Public libraries in London and surrounding areas
- Academic and special libraries
These visits helped him observe:
- User-centered services
- Open access library models
- Efficient shelving and classification practices
💡 Birth of Revolutionary Ideas
👉 Colon Classification
One of the most frequently cited inspirations comes from an everyday observation:
- Ranganathan saw a Meccano construction toy demonstration in a London store.
- The toy allowed many structures to be built from a small number of parts.
- Ranganathan visited Selfridge’s department store and observed a demonstration of a Meccano set (a children’s construction toy similar to an erector set, consisting of metal strips, nuts, and bolts). He watched how a salesperson created entirely new structures by combining the same basic elements differently each time.
- This suggested to him that subjects could also be built from basic components combined in different ways.
This insight directly led to the idea of combining subject elements (facets) using symbols — later expressed through the colon (:) in Colon Classification.
📖 Impact of His UCL Experience
His training in London directly led to several landmark contributions:
✔ Development of Colon Classification
A revolutionary faceted classification system.
✔ Formulation of Five Laws of Library Science (1931)
These laws became foundational principles of modern librarianship.
✔ Modernization of Indian Libraries
After returning to India, he transformed:
- Library education
- Cataloguing practices
- Public library movement
- Documentation and information science
🌍 Personal Transformation
Ranganathan himself acknowledged that his London experience:
- Changed his career direction
- Introduced him to global library practices
- Inspired him to treat librarianship as a scientific discipline
⭐ Historical Significance
Many historians of Library and Information Science consider his UCL period as the turning point that helped him become:
👉 “Father of Library Science in India”
👉 One of the greatest library thinkers worldwide
TENURE AT MADRAS UNIVERSITY (1924–1944)
Upon returning to Madras, Ranganathan embarked on a mission to transform the university library into a modern, accessible institution. At the time, Indian libraries were often closed-stack systems, where users had limited direct access to books, and cataloging was disorganized. Ranganathan introduced open-access shelving, allowing users to browse collections freely, and implemented systematic cataloging to improve retrieval efficiency. These changes were radical for India and faced resistance from staff accustomed to traditional methods, but Ranganathan’s persistence prevailed.
During his 20-year tenure at Madras University, Ranganathan developed his most enduring contributions to library science. His work was driven by a deep belief that libraries should serve as democratic institutions, making knowledge accessible to all, regardless of social or economic barriers.
MID-CAREER: BANARAS AND DELHI (1945–1955)
In 1945, Ranganathan left Madras to join Banaras Hindu University (BHU) as a professor of library science, tasked with developing a library science curriculum. At BHU, he designed one of India’s first formal library science programs, training a new generation of librarians. His teaching emphasized both theory and practice, blending his Five Laws and classification systems with hands-on library management skills.
In 1947, Ranganathan moved to Delhi University, where he served as a professor and head of the library science department until 1955. During this period, he refined his classification theories and published extensively, including revised editions of Colon Classification and Prolegomena. He also engaged with international library communities, attending conferences and collaborating with organizations like the International Federation for Documentation (FID). His global influence grew as librarians worldwide adopted his ideas, particularly in countries seeking flexible classification systems for diverse knowledge traditions.
LATER YEARS: DRTC AND GLOBAL LEGACY (1955–1972)
After retiring from Delhi University, Ranganathan returned to Bangalore, where he continued to innovate. In 1962, he founded the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) in Bangalore, under the Indian Statistical Institute. The DRTC became a hub for advanced research in library and information science, focusing on classification, documentation, and emerging technologies like mechanized information retrieval (precursors to modern databases).
At DRTC, Ranganathan explored the intersection of library science and information technology, anticipating the digital age. He mentored students who carried his ideas forward, both in India and abroad. He also consulted for UNESCO, advising on library development in developing nations, including Africa and Southeast Asia.
PERSONAL LIFE
Ranganathan’s personal life was marked by simplicity and discipline. He married twice: his first wife, Rukmini, died young, and in 1928, he married Sarada, who supported his work and shared his commitment to social good. They had one son, Yogeshwar. Ranganathan was known for his frugal habits, vegetarian diet, and adherence to Gandhian principles of self-reliance. Despite his global acclaim, he remained humble, often working late into the night to refine his theories.
MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO LIBRARY SCIENCE
1. The Five Laws of Library Science (1931): Perhaps Ranganathan's most influential and enduring contribution, the Five Laws of Library Science laid the philosophical and ethical foundation for modern library services. They are:
- Books are for use
- Every reader his or her book
- Every book its reader
- Save the time of the reader
- The library is a growing organism
These principles emphasized user-centric service, equitable access to information, and the dynamic nature of libraries.
2. Colon Classification System (1933): Ranganathan developed the Colon Classification system, a revolutionary alternative to the Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Classification systems. It used a faceted classification method, breaking down subjects into fundamental categories such as Personality, Matter, Energy, Space, and Time (PMEST). This approach allowed for the classification of complex and emerging subjects with far greater flexibility than traditional systems.
3. Classified Catalogue Code: Ranganathan also developed this system for organizing library catalogs, which complemented his classification theories.
He founded several important institutions and associations, including:
- Indian Library Association (ILA)
- Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) in Bangalore
- Played a pivotal role in founding the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC)
5. Advocacy and Standardization: Ranganathan was a passionate advocate for the standardization of library services and public library development in India. He helped draft several policy frameworks and legislation, including the Model Public Libraries Act for Indian states.
He also represented India in international library conferences and worked toward harmonizing global library standards.
PUBLICATIONS
Ranganathan was a prolific writer, authoring more than 60 books and over 1,000 articles. Some of his most notable works include:
- Five Laws of Library Science (1931)
- Colon Classification (1933)
- Classified Catalogue Code (1934)
- Library Administration (1935)
- Prolegomena to Library Classification (1937)
- Reference Service (1940)
- Classification and Communication (1951)
- Documentation and Its Facets (1963)
IMPACT RECOGNITION AND LEGACY
Ranganathan's influence extends far beyond India. His ideas have been adopted and adapted by libraries worldwide. His emphasis on user-centered service, efficient organization, and the dynamic nature of information continue to shape library practice. He is remembered as a visionary who transformed library science into a modern, dynamic discipline.
Ranganathan’s contributions earned him numerous accolades, including:
- Padma Shri (1957) – one of India’s highest civilian honors
- Honorary doctorates from several universities
- Revered as the Father of Library Science in India
DEATH AND CONTINUING INFLUENCE
S. R. Ranganathan passed away on September 27, 1972, in Bangalore. His legacy continues to shape library science, not only in India but around the world. His theories and classification systems are still studied in library and information science programs, and his vision of equitable, efficient, and evolving libraries remains highly relevant.
CONCLUSION
S. R. Ranganathan’s life was a testament to the power of intellectual rigor and social commitment. From a small town in Tamil Nadu to the global stage, he redefined librarianship as a dynamic, scientific discipline dedicated to serving humanity. His vision of libraries as living organisms—constantly evolving to meet society’s needs—continues to inspire librarians, information scientists, and knowledge seekers worldwide. Ranganathan’s legacy endures in every library that prioritizes its users and every system that organizes knowledge for accessibility and discovery.
SEE ALSO
CITATION INFORMATION
Article Title
- S. R. Ranganathan
Author: Salman Haider
Website Name
- Librarianship Studies & Information Technology
URL
- https://www.librarianshipstudies.com/2019/02/s-r-ranganathan.html
