Preface Library science has at long last come of age, it were, and has rightly been assigned its legiti- mate place in the academic curriculum of the Universities. With the rapid developments and nerousing interest in the study of library science, it has become apparent that there is a real need for
- brief but comprehensive treatment of the subject
A thorough grounding in the fundamentals of the discipline is essential for mastering the subject. This book embodies a selective collection of articles and essays published in learned Journals. The primary aim of this book is to give the Fender a reasonably complete understanding of the Various principles and techniques involved in the study of library science. The book is so prepared that it can be used as a text book for the freshers And sophomores working towards the Library Science Degree and Certificate. At the same time there is much in its pages that will also be of absorbing Interest to the general reader and the lay public. Therefore an attempt has been made to present: the relevant facts in a brief compass-six chapters. Keeping in mind the tremendous amount of ground which the student of to-day is expected to cover, the work has been collated to form, it is hoped, a continuou: logical narrative. As is to be expected, in the first chapter basic concepts are introduced and carefully defined. The Ave rudimentary laws of library science are delea- nated in the second chapter. The third chapter deals with the systems of classification, their nota- Hon, purpose and application. The methodology of vii
