Ranganathan Presidency College in January 1924 to take appointment as the first
librarian of Madras University. It was natural for Ranganathan - who was a lively
teacher and had thrilling intellectual experiences with students and faculties of the
Presidency College - not to opt for the post of librarian, even though it carried a
handsome salary. Ranganathan quite often narrated to us that he never wished to be a
librarian. He said that Providence had made him one, for which he never regretted in
his later life. In spite of his diffidence and lack of interest, his colleagues and
supervisors - being keen on using his innate abilities — saw to his appointment as the
Librarian of the Madras University in 1924. He took charge of the University Library
at 4.00 P.M. on Thursday, 4th January 1924. But Ranganathan was back within a
week at Presidency College to plead with the Principal