Page:ABC of Library Science.pdf/33

19 FIFTH LAW The fifth law, viz., "Library is a growing orga- mism" is some what different from the others. The trend of the present day is that the number of readers will definitely be on the increase in any library. In this context it is a truism to say that there must be proportionate increase in the number of books available to the readers. Similarly the number of staff members must also be correspond- ingly augmented. Thus it would advocate the growth of the Trinity in a library, viz., the Reader, the Book and the Staff. It would also indicate their nutual influence. A newly started library may be compared to the tudy of a child. The body of child grows steadily both in height and weight. Even so should a newly started library grow steadily in enlarging the number of books, attracting 'more readers to it and increasing the strength of its staff; but there is an ultimate upper limit with regard to the stocking of books, accommodation of readers and enlargement of staff of all the libraries except the national cen- tral library similar to the upper limit to the height and weight of a growing individual. It is desideratum of planning that the growth of the Trinity in a library must be kept in view when designing the building of the library. In other words before a library building is erected it should be borne in mind that ample provision of space is made for its future growth. In the initial stages of laying the foundation itself, care must be taken to provide for future enlargements and additions. Further, the building must be of an attractive design And It must also be free from echoes inside. It