A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF STATUS OF DEGREE COLLEGE LIBRARIES IN HISAR-E-FIROZA

Abstract

This paper illustrates the survey of degree college libraries in the Hisar city of Haryana State of India. The survey covers the various important aspects of the college library such as staff, collection, services, ICT infrastructure, physical facilities, etc. Survey method with the help of a self made well structured questionnaire has been adopted to collect the data from the libraries of degree colleges under study. The study found that no college libraries have appointed sufficient numbers of qualified library professionals, as only GCW has appointed regular qualified librarian, whereas, FCCW and DNC have librarians on contractual basis. No college libraries currently purchased/subscribed e-books, e-journals, and online databases. Except two government colleges (GC and GCW), all three privately managed colleges have not been provided a sufficient budget to the library. GCW and FCCW have purchased a good number of books every year during the last five years, i.e., 2018-2023. All the libraries have the Internet facility in its premises, while all the responding college libraries use DDC classification scheme to classify the documents. Except, CRMJC, all the four degree college libraries automated their activities particularly cataloguing and circulation. The study suggested that the concerned college authorities must take sufficient efforts to improve the staff, collection, services, ICT infrastructure, and physical facilities in their libraries so that users can get their desired services timely.