Digital Technological Readiness among LIS Professionals: A Comparative Study of LIS Professionals Working in Government, Private and Deemed-to-be Universities in the State of Karnataka, India
Keywords:
Quality of journals, UGC CARE LIST, SUGGESTIVE PARAMETERSAbstract
The primary objective of the present study is to compare competencies and the degree of proficiency among Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in adopting and utilizing digital technologies in library operations and services. The present study adopted a comparative research design using questionnaire to collect primary data from LIS professionals working across Government, Private and Deemed-to-be universities in Karnataka. The findings reveal that there are noticeable variations in the level of digital and technological proficiency among LIS professionals across institutional types. Professionals working in private and deemed-to-be universities generally exhibit higher level of digital and technological adaptability as compared to professionals working in government universities due to the factors such as infrastructure availability and institutional support influencing these differences. The study also highlights the need for training programs, policy support and investment in digital infrastructure to bridge the gap. The study holds its value in providing comprehensive understanding of the level of digital technological readiness among LIS professionals by offering a comparative perspective. It also serves as a resource for designing required training programs, workshops and professional development programs in enhancing digital capabilities of LIS professionals. The study also contributes to the LIS academic literature by addressing digital readiness as an emerging area of concern. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to encourage LIS professionals to upgrade their competencies in evolving technological trends.
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