Performance Measurement of Hybrid University Libraries in Digital Environment: An Evaluative Study

This paper aims to discuss all the parameters and dimensions of library effectiveness of 21st century academic libraries in general and Hybrid University libraries in particular. Describes all the challenges, opportunities, and threats before academic hybrid libraries. Explains that due to advancement of information and communication technologies (ICTs), university libraries are radically transforming their physical environment, services, functions, processes, information infrastructure and staff to remain relevant both in learning resources (contents) and service delivering aspects (context), i.e. to deliver service in the way user want. But a service is fit for its purpose if it aligns with the library’s mission, rather than if it is fit for the users’ purposes. The paper emphasises that Hybrid University libraries need to be sensitive to user needs and expectations, as these are changing along with the changes in ICTs and customer centred practices of 21st century. Although, ICTs have posed challenges, yet enhanced our capabilities and provided enormous opportunities not only to meet, but also to delight them by exceeding their expectations. To that end, we need to learn and relearn many things and develop existing skills and competencies and refine our processes and activities so as to play new roles and readjust the libraries and librarianship as expected at this juncture. Because, librarians, who embrace the new information environment will be better equipped to provide customized services to their users and adjust better with the latest trends in the profession. Therefore, hybrid university libraries should make consistent efforts to remain relevant and capable to thrive in twenty-first century librarianship. Concludes that completely satisfied users and over all users’ satisfaction level speaks well about effectiveness of the library. Besides increasing awareness about effective library services, the study has identified factors of library effectiveness and ranked them from most to least important. Also suggested measures to manage library effectiveness on the basis of findings of the study. The paper attempts to report the findings of a user’s survey conducted to measure library effectiveness in selected University Libraries in Haryana, namely: Maharshi Dayanand University Library, Rohtak (MDUL); Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University Library, Hisar (HAUL); Kurukshetra University Library, Kurukshetra (KULK); Guru Jambeshwar University Library, Hisar (GJUL); and Chaudhary Devi Lal University Library, Sirsa (CDUL).