A Comparative Study of Library Automation in First Grade College Libraries in Four Districts of Karnataka

The present paper compares library automation in first-grade college libraries affiliated to the University of Mysore. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary inputs from college libraries to understand the present status. A total of 160 colleges were taken up for the study in which 135 (84.37%) colleges responded,15 first grade college libraries did not have librarians and ten librarians did not respond. The study’s findings reveal that 94 (69.62%) college libraries are automated. Among them, 29 (30.85%) college libraries are fully automated, 65 (69.14%) college libraries are partially automated and 41 (30.37%) libraries are not automated. The study’s findings reveal that all autonomous colleges are automated—the main reason for not automating the library in Government colleges, Private aided colleges and Unaided colleges are inadequate of finance and lack of trained manpower. It is suggested that the librarians have to attend intensive training programs on deputation or become proficient in automation work to provide effective and efficient services to users.