During the past few years there has been tremendous growth in forestry books, periodicals, journals and other literatures. The time has come to take maximum advantage of the forestry literature available if the mother earth is to be reclothed with vegetation and this is possible only when forest libraries located in forest divisions, circles, research centres etc. would be developed and used on a scientifc basis by using the OXFORD SYSTEM OF DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION FOR FORESTRY as a tool for classification and cataloguing. The use of ODC by the forest libraries and users will lead to qualitative improvement of existing libraries and information services wich are difficult to provide otherwise. All the informations developed and gathered in the field of forestry is not being read and utilised by the foresters and people engaged in tree planting activities due to poor cataloguing, filling and failure to use retrieval languages properly. Similarly the choice or purchase of books and circulation work needs improvement by arousing interests of the readers. The efforts should be made so that valuable knowledge accumulated may not vanish or remain in dark due to poor performance of forest libraries. This book “Scientific Management of Forest Libraries” make the foresters and scientists to use forest libraries in a better and meaningful manner for the development of forestry.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Chapter 1: Introduction to Forest Libraries Introduction, Functions of Library, Laws of Library Science, Present Status of Forest Libraries, Chapter 2: Introduction to Classification Classification Systems, Classification Schemes, Dewey Systems, DDC, UDC, Meaning of Connotations (Class, Sub-class, Simple Number, Compound Subject, Compound Number, Main Classes of UDC), Common Auxiliaries, Structure of UDC, DDC versus UDC, Auxiliary Signs and Tables, Independent Auxiliary Tables, Chapter 3: Oxford System of Decimal Classification Introduction, Classification, Classification Schedule of ODC, Classes and Characteristics of ODC, Domestic Sub-Division etc., Chapter 4: Cataloguing Introduction, Importance of a Catalogue, Cataloguing - Different Types, Job of a Cataloguer, Sources of Information for a Cataloguer, Descriptive Cataloguing, Order of Description in Cataloguing, Amount of Information, Rules for Filling Entries, Cataloguing of Non-Forestry Documents, Organisation of Cataloguing Work, Guides, Maintenance of Catalogue, Staff Manual, Authority File, Limited Cataloguing, Selective and Simplified Symbiosis Between a Catalogue and Classification, Chapter 5: Classified Catalogue Code Entries (Main & Added), Structure of the Catalogue Card, General Norms of Recording, Structure of Main Entry, General Guidelines for Cataloguing, Types of Documents, Chapter 6: Filling Systems Introduction, Filing of Auxiliaries, Special Auxiliary Signs, Use of Square Brackets, Summary, Chapter 7: Retrieval Languages Introduction, Library Extension Service, Chapter 8: Library Staff and Administration Introduction, Categories of Staff Proposed Library Committees in the Forest Department, Powers and Functions of the Library Committees, Functional Arrangement, Chapter 9: Library Financing, Budgeting and Accounting Introduction, Sources of Finance, Methods of Financial Estimation, Budgeting, Chapter 10: Selection or Purchases of Books Factors for Selection, Resources in the Library, Chapter 11: Book Order and Acquisition Introduction, Terms of Book Supply, Discounts, Chapter 12: Accessioning Introduction, Accession Register, Chapter 13: Processing Work Introduction, Classification, Personnel, Classification Procedures, Cataloguing, Kinds of Catalogue, Cataloguing Procedures, Chapter 14: Maintenance Work Staking, Shelving Methods, Tools for Proper Functioning of the Maintenance, Open Access versus Closed Access, Chapter 15: Periodical Work Introduction, Selection of Periodicals and Serials, Ordering, Recording Periodicals, Display, Issue, Chapter 16: Circulation Work Introduction, Registration, Lending, Overdues, Reservation, Renewal, Overnight Issues, Maintenance, Miscellaneous, Chapter 17: Charging and Discharging Methods Introduction, Browne’s Card System, Charging, Discharging, Chapter 18: Library Rules and Regulation Introduction, Rules for the Library, Circulation Control System, Chapter 19: Stock Verification and Shelf Rectification Introduction, Aims of Verification, Methods of Verification, Frequency, Shelf List, Shelf Rectification, Care and Repair, Chapter 20: Library Records Classifiction of Records, Chapter 21: Statistics and Annual Report Introduction, Annual Report, Chapter 22: Library Building and Facilities Requirement of Library Building, Furniture and Equipment etc., Services Offered by a Library, Chapter 23: Constraints and Remedies for Proper Functioning of Forest Libraries.