Library Science

1. Introduction to Library Science

Library Science (Library and Information Science – LIS) is the discipline that deals with the collection, organization, preservation, retrieval, dissemination, and management of information resources. Earlier libraries were only repositories of books, but today they function as information centers providing access to books, journals, digital resources, databases, multimedia, and online services.

The Five Fundamental Functions of a Library

• Selection of information resources.
• Acquisition of materials.
• Organization of knowledge.
• Preservation of resources.
• Dissemination of information.

The main objective is to connect users with the right information at the right time.

2. Objectives of Libraries

• Promote education and literacy.
• Support teaching and research.
• Preserve cultural heritage.
• Disseminate knowledge.
• Encourage lifelong learning.
• Provide equal access to information.
• Develop reading habits.
• Support social, economic, and technological development.

3. Types of Libraries

Academic Libraries

Established in schools, colleges, and universities. They support curriculum, teaching, and research.

Examples: School Library, College Library, University Library.

Functions:

• Provide textbooks and reference books.
• Support faculty and students.
• Subscribe to journals and databases.
• Conduct user education.

Public Libraries

Established for the general public and funded mainly by government or local bodies.

Characteristics:

• Free access.
• Community development.
• Reading promotion.
• Adult education.
• Cultural activities.

Special Libraries

Serve specialized organizations.

Examples: Medical libraries, Agricultural libraries, Engineering libraries, Law libraries, Corporate libraries.

National Libraries

Responsible for preserving the nation’s documentary heritage.

Functions:

• Receive legal deposit copies.
• Prepare national bibliography.
• Preserve rare documents.
• Coordinate national library services.

4. Laws of Library Science

The Five Laws of Library Science were proposed by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan in 1931.

Importance

• Basis of modern librarianship.
• User-centered services.
• Efficient management.
• Supports digital libraries.

5. Library Legislation

Library legislation provides legal support for establishing and maintaining public libraries.

Objectives of Library Legislation

• Free library service.
• Sustainable funding.
• Library authority formation.
• Library development.
• Equal information access.

Important States

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Haryana.

Tamil Nadu Public Libraries Act is one of the earliest library legislations in India.

6. Library Classification

Classification is arranging books according to subject.

Objectives

• Easy location.
• Proper arrangement.
• Efficient retrieval.
• Better management.

Characteristics

• Logical arrangement.
• Subject analysis.
• Flexibility.
• Simplicity.

Major Classification Schemes

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)

Developed by Melvil Dewey.

Main Classes:

• 000 Computer Science, Information
• 100 Philosophy
• 200 Religion
• 300 Social Sciences
• 400 Language
• 500 Science
• 600 Technology
• 700 Arts
• 800 Literature
• 900 History & Geography

Advantages: Easy to learn, Widely used, International acceptance.

Colon Classification (CC)

Developed by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan. Based on Facet Analysis.

Five Fundamental Categories (PMEST):

• P – Personality
• M – Matter
• E – Energy
• S – Space
• T – Time

Advantages: Highly flexible, Suitable for research libraries, Detailed subject analysis.

Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)

Developed from DDC.

Features: More detailed, Widely used in Europe, Suitable for scientific literature.

7. Library Cataloguing

Cataloguing prepares bibliographic records of documents.

Objectives

• Identify books.
• Locate books.
• Select materials.
• Facilitate access.

Types of Catalogue

• Author Catalogue
• Title Catalogue
• Subject Catalogue
• Dictionary Catalogue
• Classified Catalogue

Important Codes

• AACR-II
• RDA (Resource Description and Access)

8. Cataloguing Standards

AACR-II

Prepared for standard cataloguing.

Features: Uniform entries, Bibliographic description, International acceptance.

RDA

Modern cataloguing standard replacing AACR-II.

Advantages: Suitable for digital resources, Compatible with online catalogues, Supports linked data.

9. Library Catalogues (OPAC)

OPAC – Online Public Access Catalogue.

Features

• Search by author.
• Search by title.
• Subject search.
• Keyword search.
• ISBN search.

Advantages

• Faster retrieval.
• User-friendly.
• Remote access.
• 24×7 availability.

10. Library Management

Library management includes planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, budgeting, and controlling.

Functions

• Collection development.
• Human resource management.
• Financial management.
• User services.
• Evaluation.

Management Principles

• Unity of command.
• Division of work.
• Coordination.
• Planning.
• Supervision.

11. Library Automation

Library automation uses computers to manage library operations.

Modules

• Acquisition
• Cataloguing
• Circulation
• Serial Control
• OPAC
• Reports

Advantages

• Time-saving.
• Accuracy.
• Better management.
• Faster services.
• Resource sharing.

Software

• Koha
• SOUL
• NewGenLib
• Evergreen

12. Digital Libraries

A digital library stores electronic information resources.

Components

• Digital documents.
• Servers.
• Software.
• Metadata.
• Users.

Advantages

• Remote access.
• Multiple users.
• Easy searching.
• Permanent storage.
• Cost-effective.

Examples

• National Digital Library of India (NDLI)
• e-ShodhSindhu
• Shodhganga

13. Institutional Repository

Stores the intellectual output of an institution.

Contents

• Theses
• Dissertations
• Research papers
• Conference proceedings
• Faculty publications

Software

• DSpace
• EPrints
• Greenstone

14. Information Sources

Primary Sources

Original information.

Examples: Research articles, Patents, Conference papers, Theses.

Secondary Sources

Organize primary sources.

Examples: Indexes, Abstracts, Bibliographies.

Tertiary Sources

Guide users to secondary sources.

Examples: Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Directories, Manuals.

15. Reference Service

Personal assistance provided by librarians.

Types

• Ready Reference.
• Long-range Reference.
• Digital Reference.
• Referral Service.

Reference Sources

• Dictionary
• Encyclopedia
• Gazetteer
• Almanac
• Atlas
• Directory
• Yearbook
• Handbook

16. Information Retrieval

Process of locating required information.

Steps

1. Query formulation.
2. Searching.
3. Retrieval.
4. Evaluation.
5. Delivery.

Search Techniques

• Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT)
• Truncation
• Phrase Search
• Wildcards

17. Metadata

Metadata means “data about data.”

Types

• Descriptive
• Structural
• Administrative

Standards

• Dublin Core
• MARC21
• MODS

Benefits

• Resource discovery.
• Interoperability.
• Better organization.

18. MARC21

MARC21 – Machine Readable Cataloging.

Features

• Standard bibliographic format.
• Machine-readable records.
• International data exchange.
• Supports OPAC.

19. Resource Sharing

Libraries cooperate to share resources.

Methods

• Inter Library Loan (ILL)
• Document Delivery
• Library Networks
• Consortia

Benefits

• Reduced cost.
• Wider access.
• Better utilization.

20. Library Networks

Important Indian Networks

• DELNET
• INFLIBNET
• CALIBNET
• MALIBNET

Functions

• Union catalogue.
• Resource sharing.
• Database access.
• Training.

21. Library Consortia

Groups of libraries purchasing resources together.

Examples

• e-ShodhSindhu
• CSIR Consortium
• IIM Consortium

Advantages

• Cost reduction.
• More journals.
• Better negotiation.
• Wider access.

22. Collection Development

Process of selecting and maintaining collections.

Stages

• Need assessment.
• Selection.
• Acquisition.
• Evaluation.
• Weeding.

Selection Criteria

• Authority.
• Relevance.
• Accuracy.
• Currency.
• Cost.

23. Acquisition

Methods

• Purchase.
• Gift.
• Exchange.
• Legal Deposit.

Records

• Accession Register.
• Invoice Register.
• Budget Register.

24. Circulation Section

Functions

• Issue books.
• Return books.
• Renewal.
• Reservation.
• Fine collection.

Charging Systems

• Browne System.
• Newark System.
• Barcode.
• RFID.

25. Preservation and Conservation

Preservation prevents deterioration.

Causes of Damage

• Humidity.
• Heat.
• Insects.
• Dust.
• Fungus.
• Poor handling.

Methods

• Binding.
• Lamination.
• Digitization.
• Fumigation.
• Climate control.

26. Library Statistics

Used for evaluation.

Measures

• Collection size.
• Membership.
• Circulation.
• Budget.
• User visits.

Importance

• Planning.
• Budget allocation.
• Performance evaluation.

27. Library Finance

Sources

• Government grants.
• Donations.
• Endowments.
• Library cess.
• Institutional funds.

Budget Heads

• Books.
• Journals.
• Staff salary.
• Equipment.
• Maintenance.

28. Library Services

Traditional Services

• Lending.
• Reference.
• Current Awareness Service (CAS).
• Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI).

Modern Services

• Digital reference.
• Remote access.
• Institutional repositories.
• Information literacy.
• Online databases.

29. Information Literacy

Ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and use information effectively.

Skills

• Search.
• Evaluation.
• Ethical use.
• Citation.
• Avoid plagiarism.

30. Copyright and Intellectual Property

Copyright protects creators.

Fair Use includes

• Education.
• Research.
• Review.
• Criticism.

Related Concepts

• Copyright.
• Patent.
• Trademark.
• Geographical Indication.

31. Bibliography

Systematic list of books.

Types

• National Bibliography.
• Subject Bibliography.
• Author Bibliography.
• Enumerative Bibliography.
• Analytical Bibliography.

32. Bibliometrics

Application of statistical methods to publications.

Types

• Citation Analysis.
• Impact Factor.
• h-index.
• Altmetrics.

Applications

• Research evaluation.
• Collection development.
• Ranking institutions.

33. Library Standards

Major Organizations

• UNESCO
• IFLA
• ALA
• RRRLF
• INFLIBNET

Functions

• Develop standards.
• Promote cooperation.
• Training.
• Policy development.

34. ICT in Libraries

Applications

• Automation.
• Cloud Computing.
• RFID.
• QR Code.
• Mobile Libraries.
• AI-based search.
• Digital repositories.

Benefits

• Better access.
• Speed.
• Accuracy.
• User satisfaction.

35. Emerging Trends

• Artificial Intelligence in libraries.
• Chatbots.
• Big Data analytics.
• Cloud libraries.
• Digital preservation.
• Open Access.
• Open Educational Resources.
• Research Data Management.
• Institutional repositories.
• Knowledge Management.

Important Personalities

Frequently Asked TNPSC Points

TNPSC CTS Examination Focus

Conclusion

Library Science is a key subject in the TNPSC Combined Technical Services exam. A clear understanding of classification, cataloguing, library management, digital libraries, and emerging ICT applications will help you answer objective questions confidently and score well.