Central Library of Tezpur University celebrated National Librarian’s Day on 12th August in remembrance of Padmashri Dr S.R. Ranganathan (1892-1972), who dedicated his life to institute library profession in India leaving a rich legacy. Dr. Ranganathan through his contributions, innovative ideas and knowledge began library science education in India. He also directed library movement in India. He was instrumental in introducing Library Legislations in India.

Ranganathan, born on 9 August 1892 was born in the small town of Shiyali (now known as Sirkazhi), in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. Ranganathan began his professional life as a mathematician; he earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in mathematics from Madras Christian College in his home province. He established himself as a successful teacher of mathematics at Universities in Mangalore, Coimbatore and Madras within a span of five years. As a mathematics teacher, he published a handful of papers, mostly on the history of mathematics. After joining as University Librarian he went to England for library training. On coming back from England after his library training he was possessed by a mission to modernize Indian librarianship, university libraries and library science education. He saw librarians not as curator of books but facilitator of their use for communication of information and creation of knowledge. To achieve this he worked at intellectual, administrative, political and social levels. The Government of India awarded Padmashri to Dr. S.R. Ranganathan for valuable contributions to Library Science.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Dr.Mukesh Saikia, Librarian of Tezpur University. The programme began with the traditional lightening of the lamps with floral tribute to Dr. S.R.Ranganathan, father of library science in India. Dr Mukesh Saikia highlighted the great achievement of Dr. S.R.Ranganathan and his extra ordinary service and dedication to librarianship. He describe importance of quality based library services and ethics of library professionals. He spoke on the integration of technology with LIS so as to provide unlimited opportunities for the library users and LIS professionals. If today we are occupying positions of status and respect then S.R. Ranganathan must be paid due tributes for securing all this for us –single handedly. We have a bounden duty not only to preserve but perpetuate it and take it further the way the Father envisioned and dreamed. That would be the only true tribute to this work, vision and memory- Dr. Saikia spoke. All staff of Central Library of Tezpur University paid homage and tribute to illustrious Guru Dr. S.R Ranganathan and spoke on his contribution and dedication to library profession.