Every field has its laws — physics, mathematics, grammar.
Library science (yes, that’s really what it’s called, and yes, you really can go to school for it!) has some, too.
The Indian librarian and mathematician S.R. Ranganathan (1892-1972) first proposed the Five Laws in 1931, and libraries around the world have adopted them as guideposts ever since.
So let’s take a look under the hood and see what underpins library service here in Grand Island and across the globe.
The first law: Books are for use. Back in the olden days, access to libraries was restricted for the sake of preserving their materials. Many required paid subscriptions. Books were kept chained to desks, or behind desks, to prevent damage and theft. This is still the case in some countries.
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