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LIS Notes # 04 - Staff Formula by D. R. Ranganathan

 

Ranganathan's Staff Formula

Ranganathan's staff formula is based on the idea that staffing should be proportional to the size, functions, and services provided by the library. It considers factors like:

  1. Collection Size: The total number of books, periodicals, and other resources.
  2. User Population: The number of patrons served by the library.
  3. Library Functions: The variety of services offered, such as circulation, reference, technical processing, and special services.
  4. Operational Hours: The number of hours the library remains open.

General Formula Structure:

Ranganathan suggested dividing library work into distinct sections and assigning staff based on the workload in each area. The major divisions are usually:

  • Administrative Work
  • Technical Processing (Cataloguing and Classification)
  • Circulation
  • Reference Services
  • Maintenance and Support Services

For example:

  • Professional Staff = PP
  • Semi-professional Staff = SS
  • Clerical Staff = CC
  • Attendant Staff = AA

The actual mathematical formula might vary depending on the specific library type (e.g., academic, public, or special libraries). The allocation of staff is often guided by workload measurement, such as books processed per day or circulation transactions.

Application Example:

For a medium-sized academic library:

  • 1 Librarian (Head)
  • 2-3 Professional Assistants (for reference, cataloguing)
  • 3-5 Clerical Staff (for circulation, records)
  • 2 Attendants (for shelving and maintenance)

Reference:

For detailed explanations, you may refer to Ranganathan's works, especially:

  • Library Administration (1959)
  • Library Manual (1933)