The World Wide Web & the Five Laws of Library Science

1. Books are for Use
2. Every Person His or Her Book
3.  Every Book Its Reader
4. Save the Time of the Reader
5.  A Library is a Growing Organism
           S. R. Ranganathan, The Five Laws of Library Science, 1933
     The founder of library science was S.R. Ranganathan.  He set forth the foundation upon which library service--information service--is provided.   His five principles--the Five Laws of Library Science--listed above, lead me to ask about connections between library service, and the world wide web.  Tim  Berners-Lee spearheaded the development of the World Wide Web.
     Books are not expendable resources, simply by virtue of the fact that they may be converted into a digital format.  The defense of that conviction is worthy of a separate writing.
     Currently, I will look to Ranganathan to assess how we are using the information available on the World Wide Web.  If we are to use information deliberately, thoughtfully, and responsibly, then we need to understand some basic facts.  The Internet is the structure within which information may be formated and re-presented.  The World Wide Web is the content of the data--the substance of the data.  Tim Berners-Lee spearheaded an effort to develop the Web.
     Would S.R. Ranganathan and Tim Berners-Lee be at a meeting of the minds regarding information?        
      Let us take Ranganathan's laws one by one.  I will offer a parallel pondering as a way to examine the connections between Ranganathan and Berners-Lee's developments. I made Ranganathan's laws gender inclusive.
     First, books are for use.  Patty's Parallel Pondering:  The World Wide Web is designed for use.
Is the World Wide Web free of charge to users, as Berners-Lee envisioned?
     Second, every reader his/her book.  Patty's Parallel Pondering:  Every World Wide Web surfer his/her website.
     Do search engines identify clear search strategies that enable individuals to locate websites that are relevant to their wants, and needs?  Do we, as producers of websites provide effective search labels or tags to direct individuals to relevant information?
     Third, every book his/[her] reader.  Patty's Proposed Pondering:  Every website his/her user.
     Do we, as producers of online content know how to promote our information where it will be found readily?  Are we aware of resources that may help individuals in searching for our information?  Do we utilize those resources?
     Fourth, save the time of the reader.  Patty's Proposed Pondering:  Save the time of the web surfer.

     Is the overall structure of the Internet conducive to intuitive use of information?  Are specific websites designed in such a way as to direct individuals to the information they want and need?
     Fifth, a library is a growing organism.  Patty's Proposed Pondering:  The World Wide Web is a growing organism.
     With the proliferation of websites, and second generation online information--social media--it would be laughable to question the sheer growth of  the organism.  It is a quite different matter to question the quality of the growing World Wide Web.  Each of us, as individuals who use the web, are responsible participants in guiding the quality of the Web.  What consideration do we give to the veracity of the information we publish on the World Wide Web?  What deliberation do we give to postings we make to blogs, web sites, and social media, to name a few?