Bridging Knowledge and Faith A Comparative Analysis of Ranganathan's Library Science Laws and the Church’s Mission of Service, Growth, and Accessibility

Abstract

This presentation draws parallels between S. R. Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science and the Church’s role as a dynamic, community-serving institution. Ranganathan’s laws emphasize accessibility, personalization, efficiency, and continuous growth—principles also central to the Church’s mission. For example, “Books Are For Use” aligns with the Church’s call to live out faith in action, while “Every Reader His/Her Book” mirrors personalized spiritual care. “Every Book Its Reader” parallels the Church’s outreach, ensuring spiritual resources reach those in need. Likewise, “Save the Time of the Reader” reflects the Church’s efforts to offer timely, accessible support, and “The Library is a Growing Organism” resonates with the Church’s evolving nature in response to societal changes. By comparing these institutions, the paper highlights their shared commitment to serving individual needs through relevance, accessibility, and growth, ultimately showing how both enrich lives and communities as ever-adapting sources of knowledge and spiritual guidance