At the Library: Laws Of The Library

In Our World, Every Book Has A Reader; Every Reader Has A Book

By Rachel Reddick
Park Hill Branch Librarian

The US has seen a steep rise in censorship and book challenges in recent years. If you’re curious about why libraries feel so strongly about standing against this, it helps to know a bit about the professional ethics of this field. 

Public libraries are built on a foundation of specific ideals. Those criteria are a large part of their identity. One of the first concepts you learn when you begin to earn a masters in library science are the Five Laws of Library Science. They are a theoretical framework created by S.R. Ranganathan, a pioneering librarian in the early part of the 20th century. 

Ranganathan was a mathematician who devised a classification system called the colon system that he believed allowed for more accuracy than the more widely used Dewey decimal system. But the Five Laws are the most well-known of his work. They are:

1. Books are for use

2. Every reader has their book

3. Every book has its reader

4. Save the time of the reader

5. The library is a living organism

The first law focuses on the idea that library collections are for interactions. We are not museums nor archives. We house resources to help our communities, and if an item doesn’t fulfill that criterion, it doesn’t belong. Library collections should be utilized and not just admired. 

The second law, “every reader has their book” and its inverse “every book has its reader” are the ones most solidly connected to the banning of books today. The idea is simple: we all have different needs that can be served with different materials. It is not the job of the library to decide how a resource should be utilized or why a customer wants to be connected to a specific one. A person expresses a need for information and the library tries to make a connection to it. 

Books, movies, databases, etc. are all connections and each one may have a different importance to every individual. Just because something isn’t popular or widely used by the masses should not diminish its worth. 

You may sometimes wonder why more popular titles have such long holds lists. If more people want it, isn’t it the responsibility of the library to ensure that people have it? The answer is only to an extent. We cannot and should not only serve those concepts with the greatest number of supporters. Part of our budget will always be dedicated to lesser-known materials.

For example, our collection of large print titles isn’t as widely used as our regular print one. That does not make it less essential. Our computers are open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. We do not prioritize use of them. Someone job hunting is offered access equal to those who are looking up trivia on their favorite movie. And topics you might personally find distasteful, offensive, or dangerous are not prioritized over those that you personally like. It is essential that our public libraries don’t operate with only part of its community in mind.  

Moving on to our fourth law, “save the time of the reader.” This one means the librarian needs to be able to know where everything is and the right questions to ask to find it. 

My colleagues and I are here to help find what you may not even know you’re looking for. Looking for a mystery? Let me tell you about a series you’ve never heard of. Want to learn a new language? I can show you where our languages section is, what online resources we have available, and any programming that may be connected. 

Finally we have the fifth law: “the library is a living organism.” This means that our collections cannot be static. We have to weed out materials not being utilized and acquire materials that are needed. We need to renovate our spaces to accommodate the changing requirements of our neighborhoods. 

Growing and evolving are crucial to the mission, and is part of what makes libraries indispensable. So while your favorite book was once available, we might end up getting rid of it. This does not speak to the quality of the book, but rather to making room for new things that may end up being someone else’s favorite. 

Libraries are different from bookstores or classrooms. Other ethics we adhere to include protecting privacy and pushing for equity throughout our profession. We succeed and are beloved because we feel so strongly about our ethical duties. Without them, we are susceptible to becoming stagnant — closed off spaces with little to offer outside of handing out fancy cards to carry around in your wallet. 

November Library Programs

Note: All Denver Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, Nov. 11 for Veteran’s Day and Thursday, Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving. Branches will close at 4 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving. 

Park Hill Branch

Baby Storytimes | Thursdays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for babies ages 0-18 months and their parents or caregivers. No storytime Nov. 28.

Toddler Storytimes | Fridays, 10:15-10:45 a.m.

Stories, songs, rhymes and fun for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their parents or caregivers. 

Ghostword Discussion with Crisosto Apache | Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:30-4 p.m.

Join us for a Teentober discussion group for a workshop geared to teach you about voting rights (and responsibilities).

The Art of Surviving | Monday, Nov. 4, 2-3:30 p.m.

This peer group is for anyone post-diagnosis, whether in treatment or in remission. Family members and caregivers are welcome.

Creative Map Making | Wednesday, Nov. 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Teens are invited to create a fantasy map for a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, a book that you’re writing, or just for fun. Every participant will create a map to take home for keeps. 

Kids Game Club | Wednesday, Nov. 6 & Nov. 20, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Are you looking for something fun after school? Drop by to play games in a fun, relaxed environment the first and third Wednesday of each month. Ideal for ages 5-12.

No Strings Attached Book Chat | Saturday, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Share a recent read, an old favorite, or anything in between.

Romping Stomping Dinosaurs | Tuesday, Nov. 12, 10:30-11 a.m.

Little learners practice counting and comparing. Hold Spike, our baby stegosaurus. Compare your foot to big and small dinosaur tracks. Pack a dinosaur’s lunchbox and investigate dinosaur fossils.

Robust Allyship: An Anti-Racist Discussion | Saturday, Nov. 9, 2:30-4 p.m.

Leave your white guilt at home and hear from Joie Ha from CORE DEI and Asia Dorsey from Regenerate Change on what you can do to become a more effective ally, conspirator and collaborator.

TAB | Tuesdays, Nov. 12 & Nov. 26, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Anyone 6th-12th grade are welcome to join and help with library programming and resources geared towards teens.

Writing Circle 2.0 | Thursday, Nov. 14, 1:30-3 p.m.

A supportive community of writers to help hone your skills and feel inspired. Teaching artist Andrea Asali will lead the Circle through how to write in multiple languages.

Talking to Children About Death | Saturday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

An educational program on how to talk to children about death. Participants will learn how to support children in learning how they hold grief with a hands-on therapeutic art activity. 

Death Café | Monday, Nov. 18, 2-3:30 p.m.

An international movement that invites people to gather, normalize conversations around death – to make the most of LIFE. Respect for all views is a priority.  

Kids Book Celebration | Thursday, Nov. 21, 4-5 p.m.

We will explore a book or series on the third Thursday of every month and do activities and crafts related to what we read. Parents of young children need to attend with their child. This month we will be having a Book Tasting — get a taste for great books in several genres. We will also have a “taste” of several snacks. 

Voice of the Wood Chamber Players | Saturday, Nov. 23, 3-4 p.m.

Beethoven, Vivaldi, and a new quintet by our very own Mike Marecak.

Qi Gong | Wednesday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.

Qi Gong includes slow, dance-like movements to improve breathing, reduce stress, and gently move the body. All levels and abilities are welcome.

Baby Art Crawl | Friday, Nov. 29, 11:30 a.m.-noon

Babies and caregivers will experience art, build relationships, and learn together, led by staff from the Clyfford Still Museum. 

Pauline Robinson Branch

The Pauline Robinson Branch library is currently closed for renovations. While construction is underway, limited library services are being offered at Hiawatha Davis, Jr. Recreation Center at 3334 Holly St. Services are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Chromebooks are available for public use, as well as printing and copying.

• A cart of DVDs and free fiction books for all ages is available for browsing.

• Digital navigators are available on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Community Resource Navigators are available Thursdays from 10 to 11 a.m. by appointment. Call 720-335-2847 to schedule an appointment.

Greater Park Hill has two public libraries: The Park Hill branch library is at 4705 Montview Blvd. The Pauline Robinson branch library is at 5575 E. 33rd Ave.