Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Library Services: A Comparative Study Of Public And Academic Libraries

Abstract

This study compares the sustainable practices of public and academic libraries in the Vellore District, focusing on their contributions to education, digital literacy, and social inclusion. Sustainable library services balance social, economic, and environmental considerations to meet current informational needs without compromising future accessibility. A mixed-methods approach with 100 respondents revealed significant differences in sustainable practices between public and academic libraries. Occupation influences perceptions of sustainability and empowerment. A strong positive relationship exists between sustainable practices and community empowerment, explaining 38% of the variance in empowerment. Academic libraries demonstrate higher empowerment outcomes compared to public libraries, supported by a significant association between library type and empowerment levels. The study concludes that adopting eco-friendly initiatives, integrating technology, promoting inclusivity, and enhancing public-academic collaborations are crucial for transforming libraries into sustainable, future-ready institutions. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, librarians, and educational institutions to strengthen libraries' role as agents of sustainable community development.