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The Importance of Physical Visits to Libraries for Sustaining Infrastructure and Resources

Recently, I had an eyeopening experience that underscored the declining frequency of physical visits to libraries. During a recent assignment, I visited an institution’s library and found its reading area deserted. Despite the library’s excellent collection, modern infrastructure, and advanced facilities, there was not a single user inside until lunch. This lack of utilization was surprising given the library’s impressive resources.

Comparing this with my college days, I noticed a stark difference. Many institutions today boast superior library facilities and physical infrastructure, yet they struggle to attract and engage users. In discussions with librarians, I learned that, since COVID19, library visits have sharply declined, with digital access to resources reducing the need for physical visits. This trend raises a significant question: why maintain large library buildings and facilities if they remain underutilized? Even in libraries that serve sizeable student communities, the number of users physically present is remarkably low.

When I started my career as a project trainee at a prestigious Indian institution, the library reading area was always fully occupied. Students actively engaged with physical materials, often waiting for seats and roaming the library in search of books and journals. Today, such scenes are rare. Despite advancements in library technology, without substantial foot traffic, these resources risk becoming underappreciated and underused.

It is essential for the academic community to encourage students to use digital resources within the library setting, maximizing the existing infrastructure that supports their academic goals and aspirations. One librarian mentioned that even faculty members rarely visit the library, setting a poor example for students. It is the shared responsibility of librarians, faculty, and institutions to promote effective use of the library’s physical resources, rather than relying solely on digital access via smartphones and apps. Spending dedicated time in the library can be a transformative experience, creating a deeper connection with materials and enhancing comprehension—something many psychiatrists affirm is more effective through physical reading than digital.

In this regard, professional students could conduct a survey to analyze users’ visiting patterns, time spent in the library, and other usage metrics to gather data that may inform strategies to address this issue.

In conclusion, physical users are vital for the longevity and vibrancy of any library, more so than simply serving them through remote access to digital materials.

Raghavendra R
Founder, TechGadi