Changing Reading Habits of Faculty of Higher Education in India: A Study of the COVID-19 Lockdown Period

ABSTRACT This study attempts to comprehend the reading habits of faculty members of the higher education sector in India during the lockdown period and a comparative analysis of the reading habits of faculty members prior to the lockdown and during the lockdown. The study used an online survey approach to gather information using a Google form. The study population was composed of teachers from the higher education sectors in India. The study revealed the change and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown state on faculty members’ reading habits in India’s higher education sector. An online survey was conducted of the unknown population using WhatsApp received 734 responses. The responses were analyzed by the study’s objectives and tested a simple null hypothesis, i.e., “There is no significant change in the reading habits of the faculty members of the higher education sector in India during the lockdown period.” The study discovered that faculty members had spent more time for reading, reading habits have considerably increased, a positive impact on reading habits, utilized their lockdown time to satisfy their information needs, the change in reading habits is observable, and there is an inclination towards the utilization of digital and online information. The study would be helpful for librarians, libraries, and information centres to prepare future strategic plans, develop a system for crisis management in libraries, and provide better information services after knowing the opinion of faculty members of higher education. The study is original since no study combining variables such as teachers, higher education sector, India, and reading habits has been undertaken. This study would also guide future studies in this field.