Impact of automation on library services in selected management institutes at Aligarh: A survey

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of automation on library management services of four selected management institutes at Aligarh.

Design/methodology/approach

The investigators used a fashioned questionnaire and informal interviews. They chose samples on the basis of a stratified sampling method and administered the questionnaire according to a random method for collecting the data.

Findings

The study revealed that 3 of 4 libraries are partially automated, with the exception of Al-Barkaat which is completely automated. Seventy per cent of librarians believe that automation has improved their library’s services, while 85 per cent of users believe that an automated library system is better than the traditional manual system. Of the four libraries, three have a shortage of general staff and three also lack qualified specialized staff to deal with automation.

Research limitations

The investigators could only select four management institutes because of time and logistic constraints, despite Aligarh being the educational hub of western Uttar Pradesh.

Originality/value

Although many studies of the same kind have already been conducted on library automation in different areas of world, this paper revealed the current status of automation in libraries of selected management institutes at Aligarh.

Citation

Anas, M., Iqbal, J. and Ahmad, P. (2014), "Impact of automation on library services in selected management institutes at Aligarh: A survey", The Electronic Library, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 296-307. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-11-2011-0157