---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2016 04:43:29 +0000 From: K.S. Raghavan <ksragav@hotmail.com> In the last few days I have seen quite a few postings on LIS Forum and other channels on the subject of Dr. Ranganathan's birthday. Dr. Ranganathan's actual date of birth is 9th August; In the official records his date of birth is shown as 12th August. At the Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science the practice was to observe the birthday on any day between 9th and 12th August. However, 12th August has been officially declared as Librarians' day. Prof. Neelameghan had once told me that Dr. Ranganathan did not approve of any function / celebrations even on his birthday. But mortals that we are, we need something to ring the bell and wake us up from slumber and I believe that the celebrations are purely for that purpose. Let us remember that library / information service is a support service so that some one who is our customer is able to carry out his task in a more effective and efficient manner. Let us not forget what Dr. Ranganathan preached and practiced. It certainly should not be that we celebrate his birthday and forget his ideals the next day ! Let us put an end to this debate and focus on what needs to be done. Wishing all LIS Professionals a happy Librarians' Day. Regards K. S. Raghavan Member-Secretary, Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science K. S. Raghavan Visiting Scientist Centre for Knowledge Analytics & Ontological Engineering (KAnOE) PES University 100 Feet Ring Road, BSK 3rd Stage Bengaluru 560085