Fundamentals of Library Science

About the Book Library Science deals with maintenance and arrangements of books. Although Library Science is a new discipline, the conception of reduplication on the basis of printing techniques goes back to Indus Valley Civilization. Many an ancient Indian classic are now available on 'Bhojapatra', which could not be possible, without an effort of maintenance.

Modern practices of maintaining books have become complex. Evolution of printing press made it possible to produce more and more books, A librarian has to' deal with a number of jobs-procurement of books, categorization and. cataloguing, etc. He has to maintain a file of reference, periodical section and record of new arrivals. The art of cataloguing relates to both catalogues and bibliographies. It is the art of describing and listing material in such a way as to make it as easy as possible to discover the nature and extent of what is available and if appropriate, where this material may be located or obtained from. With the advent of computer and development of information technology, the' task of a librarian has become easier. Even books are now kept in digital form.

Huge shelves and big ·buildings prove to be useless. Through an internet, a huge library is now available on computer screen.

About the Authors Ram Chander (born, 1972) did his M.A. Public Administration and M. Lib. & Inf. Science from Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. Presently he is doing Ph.D. in Library & Inf. Science under a well known scholar of National fame and the author of several books. He is working as a Librarian and Head depth. of Library & Information Science.

He has in his credit a book titled "Library and Modem Society". He has another book titled "Fundamentals of Library Science" which is under Publication.

He is life member of many professional bodies like: ILA, HLA, and IASLIC. He is a renowned academician. He participated in a number of National and regional seminars, conferences and workshops and presented papers. He is supervising many students who are doing their M. Lib. Sc. and M. Phil. in various universities in India.

Poonam Birth: 31-5-1975 (Himachal Pradesh)

Academic qualification: 10+2 (Medical, M. L.I.Sc from K. University, Tamil Nadu and also doing M. Phil in Library . & Information Science from Aliquippa University Karaikudi. Other Activities: Merit Certificate Holder in National mathematics Olympiad Contest and won many souvenir certificate in . sports and cultural activities.

She is Life member of HLA, ILA.

Dr. Mahavira Singh

Birth: 1958 a professional of high repute three master degrees in History, Sociology and Library & Information Science. He has been awarded Ph.D. Degree in Library & Information Science from Jiwaji University, Gwalior. His area of specialization includes documentation in social science. He has been working at National Social Science Documentation Centre, ICSSR since 1985. An author of a number of research articles he is a life-member of Indian Library Association and Haryana Library Association.

Preface Library Science deals with maintenance and arrangements of books. Although Library Science is a new discipline, the conception of reduplication on the basis of printing techniques goes back to IndusValley Civilization. Many an ancient Indian classic are now available on 'Bhojapatra', which could not be possible, without an effort of maintenance.

. Modem practices of maintaining books have become complex. Evolution of printing press made it possible to produce more and more books. A librarian has to deal with a number of jobs- procurement of books, categorization and cataloguing, etc. He has to maintain a file of reference, periodical section and record of new arrivals. The art of cataloguing relates to both catalogues and bibliographies. It is the art of describing and listing material in such a way as to make it as easy as possible to discover the nature and extent of what is available and if appropriate, where this material may be located or obtained from. With the advent of computer and development of information technology, the task of a librarian has become easier. Even books are now kept in digital form. Huge shelves and big buildings prove to be useless. Through an internet, a huge library is now available on computer screen.

The present text covers all aspects, from the history to the modern developments in this particular area. It wiki prove to be helpful to readers. Their suggestions are highly solicited.

Introduction The Backdrop

The discovery of innumerable seals from Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Lethal and other places confirm the fact that writing was well" known in, the so-caned pre-historic India and Indians had the conception of reduplication on the basis of a printing technique.

Universities: By 700 B.C. universities or centres of learning were starteo in Panchala, Kuru, Videha, Matsya, Usinara, Taxila, Naimisharanya, Kasi and other places.

Scribes: Vinaya Pitika and Nikayas mention a list of games of which one is called 'Akharika' (= lettering). It was guessing of letters in the air or in a play fellows back. The great grammarian Panini used the term 'Lipikara' for scribes in the eighth chapter of his work.

Libraries: Acharyas Nagarjuna, the founder of Mahayana Buddhism is known to have maintained a library on the top-floor of the university building. Taxila was one of the most important seats of learning in Ancient India. It was in existence from 700 B.C. The teaching was mostly in Vedic literature, philosophy and eighteen shilpas. It was said that there was a rich library. The great grammarian Panini and great economist Kautilya were students of this university.

Another important library of great significance was that of the Nalanda University established in the fourth century A.D. The area of the library was called as "Dharma Ganja" (= Mast of religion).

The library was said to be in three grandest buildings named as 'Ratna-Sagar', Ratna Dadhi' and 'Ratna Ranjaka'. Of these, the last one is said to be of nine storied building.

The other important academic libraries of ancient India were Odantapuri, Vikramasila, Somapuri, Jagadala etc.

The Beginning

Muslim Contribution: Muslim rulers were patrons of education, literature and. libraries. Babar brought with him to India all the specimen he could collect from the library of his ancestors. He authored many works on jurisprudence and prosody. He encouraged calligraphy and himself invented a new type of writing called Babari Hand. Homerun was also a lover of books and it is said that he converted a pleasure house in purana-qil a in Delhi into a library.

Akbar maintained an "Imperial Library" and Mulla Pir Muhammad was his Librarian. The books in his library were classified and catalogued according to a scheme developed by them. He encouraged translations and illustration of manuscripts. Jahangir is said to have maintained a personal library which moved with him wherever he went. Aurangazeb also encouraged, libraries and Islamic learning.

Printing Press in India: Christian missionaries were responsible for the introduction of printing press in India. The first press arrived in Goa on September 6, 1556 from Portugal. It was accidental. The press which. was landed in India was bound for Abyssinia. By the time the press reached Goa, the relations between the Abyssinian ruler and the Portuguese missionaries were strained and the press was retained in Goa.

David Library: The East India Company established the fort St. David Library at Cuddaiore in 1707. In the year 1709, The Society for Promotion Christian Knowledge sent out a circulating library to Calcutta, the first of its kind in India.

The Asiatic Society, Calcutta was established in 1784. It started Asiatic Researches, a scientific journal in 1787 which continued till 1939.

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