Abstract

Author(s): Susanta Kumar Panigrahi

This paper discusses about the opinion of research scholars of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi and Delhi University (DU) regarding the optimization of space in their Central Library. In order to optimize the space in library, the assessment of usage of print resources and physical space in the Central Library has been taken into account. There is paradigm shift in availability of information sources. Library user’s expectations nowadays are connection centric library instead of collection centric. This paper recommends the librarians to re-design the library space to meet the users need. Least use print materials occupy major chunk of shelf space, becomes a hurdle to accommodate new titles. Every year more number of students enrolled in the university and number faculty members also increase because of opening of new school/department. But the physical space of the library remains unchanged. Users are of the view to increase the number of Reading hall with Wi-Fi connectivity for laptops, mobile phone charging and power point for laptop charging for longer hour reading. Users also of the opinion to weed out the old obsolete, damage/mutilated pages books from the library to accommodate new titles. University libraries should re-design their physical space to meet the expectation of the 21st century users. Libraries need to more connection and learner centric instead of only collection centric. This paper reveals the space crunch in the University Libraries where users visit to not only issue/return, browse books and consult reference materials, but more users visit to read/concentrate/access e-resources in the Reading Hall. Different types of reading space are the need of the users.