Transformation for Academic Libraries: Experiences at St. Xavier’s College Library, Kolkata

Abstract

Transformation means a complete change in the appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that that thing or person is improved. So, it is a matter of improvement – a chase towards the better, probably not towards the best as time cannot be foreseen to be ended, so changes happen, and transformation will also be in motion. Academic libraries cater information to the targeted population within the four walls of the academic setup. However, the concept is being changed every day and every moment. Now library services of such libraries are gradually breaking the barrier of four walls and thus these are available to the users outside the four walls. This is a case of transformation i.e., a matter of radical change, not in the concept but in the real world of library services. Here in this paper the transformation in the physical form as well as in the digital aspects of an academic library and benefits accrued from it are delivered having a case study on St. Xavier's College Central Library, Kolkata-16.