Eminent
Personalities and their contribution to Library Science
Five Laws of Library Science –
1. Books are for use: Libraries
exist to be used, not just preserved. Easy access, open shelves, and convenient
services are essential.
2. Every reader his or her book:
Every user has the right to get the information they need, regardless of age,
status, or background.
3. Every book its reader: Each
document has value and should reach the right user through proper organization
and promotion.
4. Save the time of the reader:
Efficient cataloguing, classification, signage, and technology should help
users find information quickly.
5. The library is a growing
organism: Libraries must continuously grow and adapt in collections, services,
staff, space, and technology.
These five laws established a
user-cantered philosophy for libraries worldwide, shifting focus from
collection preservation to patron service.
Colon Classification System – A
faceted classification method that allowed libraries to organize diverse and
complex subjects more flexibly than earlier systems.
Chain Indexing & Cataloguing
– Innovated subject indexing and cataloguing systems improving retrieval
efficiency.
Library Education &
Institutions – Established formal library science education in India and
founded the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) in Bangalore
(1962) to train professionals and conduct research.
Library Movement Leadership –
Drafted plans for national/state library systems, promoted library legislation,
and was active in professional associations.
Key Contributions:
Propounded Five Laws of Library
Science (1931).
Developed Colon Classification
(CC) – first faceted classification.
Introduced Chain Indexing for
subject access.
Framed Normative Principles of
Cataloguing.
Founder of DRTC, Bangalore
(1962).
Pioneer of library legislation
and planning in India.
Period: 1920–1970
Keywords: Five Laws, CC, Facets,
DRTC
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2.
Bellary Shamanna Kesavan (1909–2000) Father of Indian National
Bibliography
First National Librarian of
Independent India (1947–1962) — Led the National Library of India (Calcutta),
shaping it into a national repository and reference institution.
Father of Indian National
Bibliography — oversaw the first National Bibliography (1958), a key
documentary resource for scholarly research.
Director of INSDOC — Strengthened
scientific documentation and abstracting services, and developed courses in
documentation and reprography to modernize Indian scientific libraries.
Scholarship on Print Culture —
authored the three-volume History of Printing and Publishing in India and The
Book in India, which trace India’s book culture and history.
Key Contributions:
First National Librarian of
Independent India.
Modernized National Library,
Kolkata.
Initiated Indian National
Bibliography (1958).
Director, INSDOC.
Author of History of Printing and
Publishing in India.
Period: 1940–1970
Keywords: INB, INSDOC, National
Library
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3.
Iyyanki Venkata Ramanayya (1890–1979) – Architect of Public Library Movement
Father of Public Library Movement
in India
Pioneer of Public Library
Movement – Organized hundreds of library tours, conferences, and library
pilgrimages across India to raise awareness about public libraries.
Institution Builder – Played a
key role in founding state and national associations: Andhra Pradesh Library
Association (1914), All India Public Library Association (1919), and also
helped establish Madras, Punjab, and Bengal library associations.
Grassroots Literacy Work –
Encouraged rural libraries as community hubs for education and adult literacy,
linking library work with broader social uplift.
Publishing for Library Movement –
Initiated Grandhalaya Sarvaswam (1915), one of the earliest Indian library
science journals in Telugu, and edited Indian Library Journal (English) to
spread ideas on librarianship.
Key Contributions:
Organized public library movement
in Madras Presidency.
Founded Andhra Pradesh Library
Association (1914).
Founder of All India Public
Library Association (1919).
Started Grandhalaya Sarvaswam
(first LIS journal in Telugu).
Promoted rural libraries and
adult education.
Period: 1910–1950
Keywords: Public libraries,
Library associations
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4.
Prithvi Nath Kaula (1924–2009)
LIS Scholar & Educator – Long-time
faculty and head of the Department of Library and Information Science at
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where he trained generations of librarians.
Prolific Author & Editor –
Authored over 60 books, 400+ scholarly articles, 43 bibliographies, and helped
found/edit six professional journals, significantly expanding Indian LIS
literature.
Professional Leadership – His
writings helped shape theory and practice in areas like library administration,
bibliometric, and information services.
Recognition – Awarded the Padma
Shri (2004) for distinguished service to library and information science.
Key Contributions:
Head, LIS Department, BHU.
Authored 60+ books and 400+
articles.
Editor of several LIS journals.
Worked on library administration
and bibliometric.
Award: Padma Shri (2004)
Period: 1950–2000
Keywords: LIS literature,
Bibliometric
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5. Dr.
Shalini R. Urs (1950 - Contemporary)
Digital Library Pioneer –
Pioneered India’s digital library initiatives, especially the multilingual Vidyanidhi
digital repository of theses and dissertations, which made Indian scholarly
work globally accessible.
Role: Digital Library Pioneer
Major Contributions:
Founder of Vidyanidhi Digital
Library (ETDs).
Promoted open access to Indian
research.
Introduced multilingual digital
repositories.
Active in international LIS
bodies and innovation forums.
Period: 1990s–present
Impact: Led India into the
digital and open-access era.
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6. Paturi
Nagabhushanam (1907–1987)
Andhra Mobilizer of Library Movement
– Continued the work initiated by Ramanayya, expanding library networks across
Andhra Pradesh through grassroots organising.
Major Contributions:
Built 160+ village libraries in
Andhra Pradesh.
Introduced Boat Libraries to
serve remote populations.
Worked to connect libraries with
rural development and literacy.
Continued Ramanayya’s public
library mission at the village level.
Period: 1930s–1980s
Impact: Libraries as tools of
social justice and inclusion.
Innovative Outreach – Introduced
Boat Libraries in the 1930s–40s to bring books to remote and underserved
communities.
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7.
Iyyanki Venkata Ramanayya (1890–1979)
Role: Architect of the Indian
Public Library Movement
Major Contributions:
Launched the organized public
library movement in India, especially in the Madras Presidency.
Founded Andhra Pradesh Library
Association (1914) and All India Public Library Association (1919).
Conducted library pilgrimages
across India to mobilize public support.
Linked libraries with adult education,
nationalism, and social reform.
Started Grandhalaya Sarvaswam
(1915), one of the earliest LIS journals in an Indian language (Telugu).
Period of Influence: 1910s–1950s
Impact: Took libraries from elite
institutions to people’s institutions.
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8. K. M.
Asadullah (1890–1943)
Role: Educationist & Library
Reformer
Major Contributions:
Advocated library integration
with education at school and university levels.
Supported library development
during British India through educational reforms.
Influenced early library policy
thinking in Indian higher education.
Period: 1920s–1940s
Impact: Early bridge between
education systems and libraries.
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9. B. S.
Kesavan (1909–2000)
Role: National Library Builder
Major Contributions:
First National Librarian of
Independent India.
Modernized the National Library
of India, Kolkata.
Founder of Indian National
Bibliography (1958).
Director of INSDOC, promoting
scientific documentation and abstracting.
Authored History of Printing and
Publishing in India (3 volumes).
Period: 1940s–1970s
Impact: Built India’s national
bibliographic and documentation infrastructure.
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10. P. N.
Kaula (1924–2009)
Role: Scholar, Author, LIS
Educator
Major Contributions:
Head, Department of LIS, Banaras
Hindu University.
Authored 60+ books, 400+
articles, and 43 bibliographies.
Founder/editor of several LIS
journals.
Worked on library administration,
bibliometrics, information services.
Period: 1950s–2000s
Awards: Padma Shri (2004)
Impact: Strengthened Indian LIS
literature and research culture.
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11. S.
Parthasarathy (1910–1989)
Role: Library Educator &
Classification Expert
Major Contributions:
Close associate and disciple of
Dr. Ranganathan.
Taught at DRTC, Bangalore.
Worked on Colon Classification,
cataloguing rules, and subject analysis.
Trained several generations of
Indian information scientists.
Period: 1950s–1980s
Impact: Helped institutionalize
Ranganathan’s theories.
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12. M. A.
Gopinath (1930–2019)
Role: Information Scientist &
Educator
Major Contributions:
Key faculty member at DRTC.
Advanced knowledge organization,
information retrieval, and indexing theory.
Contributed to post-Ranganathan
theoretical development.
Influenced global information
science thought through research papers.
Period: 1960s–2000s
Impact: Took Indian LIS thinking
to the international stage.
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13. Dr.
R. N. Sharma (1948– )
Eminent Indian Library &
Information Science professional with strong international presence.
Served as Professor and Dean of
Library Services at academic institutions in the United States.
Known for contributions to
academic library administration and leadership.
Worked extensively on:
Library management
Collection development
User services
Strategic planning in libraries
Authored and edited books and
research articles in LIS.
Actively promoted Indian
librarianship and LIS scholarship at the global level.
Core Contribution:
Advancement of library leadership
and management practices and strengthening international visibility of Indian
LIS professionals.
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14. A.
Neelameghan (1930–2010)
Role: Documentation Specialist
& Information Scientist
Major Contributions:
Senior faculty member at
Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Bengaluru.
Worked extensively on information
analysis, subject indexing, and documentation systems.
Contributed to the development of
depth classification and information retrieval theory.
Played a key role in transforming
Indian librarianship into modern information science.
Published influential research
papers recognized internationally.
Period of Influence: 1960s–1990s
Impact: Strengthened theoretical
foundations of information science in India.
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15. Prof.
Uma Kanjilal (1963– )
Senior Library & Information
Science educator in India.
Former Professor of LIS at IGNOU.
Served as Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU.
Major contributor to LIS
education through Open & Distance Learning (ODL).
Played a key role in designing
and updating BLIS, MLIS, and PG Diploma programmes.
Worked on modernizing LIS
curriculum to include digital libraries, e-resources, and information literacy.
Promoted access to professional
LIS education for working librarians and rural learners.
Core Contribution:
Developing LIS courses through
open and distance learning at IGNOU
Leading national initiatives like
SWAYAM, SWAYAM PRABHA, and the National Virtual Library of India
Strengthening open access to
knowledge through e-learning and digital platforms
Strengthening and modernizing
library science education in India through distance and digital modes.
Overall, she has played a vital
role in modernizing librarianship and expanding digital education in India
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