Use of Information Resources and Library Services in Medical College Libraries of Punjab and Haryana: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Medical college libraries play a critical role in supporting evidence-based medical education, research productivity, and clinical decision-making. The rapid advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has transformed traditional libraries into hybrid information environments integrating print and electronic resources. The present study investigates the use of information resources and services in selected medical college libraries of Punjab and Haryana. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected from 300 respondents comprising undergraduate students, postgraduate students, faculty members, and library professionals from Government Medical College Amritsar, Government Medical College Patiala, and ESIC Medical College Faridabad. Statistical tools such as frequency distribution, percentage analysis, and chi-square tests were applied for data analysis.
The findings reveal that electronic resources (78.6%) are preferred over print resources (21.4%) due to accessibility and speed. A significant association was found between user category and frequency of electronic resource usage (χ² = 18.42, p < 0.05). Major barriers include a lack of training, limited awareness of databases, and inadequate ICT infrastructure. The study concludes that strengthening digital infrastructure and information literacy programs is essential for improving the effective use of medical library resources.