Guwahati libraries adapt to changing student habits in the digital learning era
In an age where almost every piece of information is just a Google search away, the traditional image of students spending hours inside college libraries, surrounded by shelves of books and handwritten notes, is gradually changing. With smartphones, laptops and digital platforms becoming an integral part of academic life, students today have access to study materials, reference papers, e-books, lecture notes and research publications at their fingertips. What once required a visit to the library can now often be accessed within seconds through an internet search.
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For many students, the convenience of digital learning has significantly reduced their dependence on physical books. Instead of spending hours searching through library shelves for a particular reference, they can download PDFs, access online journals and find subject-specific resources from the comfort of their homes. This shift has also changed how students prepare for examinations, complete assignments and approach academic research.
However, does these mean college libraries are gradually losing their relevance? Are students genuinely moving away from reading physical books, or are institutional libraries failing to meet the changing academic requirements of the present generation?
A closer look at the situation across educational institutions in Guwahati suggests that the declining dependence on college libraries may not simply be a result of changing student preferences. Issues such as outdated academic resources, inadequate digital infrastructure, poor internet connectivity and insufficient maintenance of library facilities are also influencing how frequently students visit these spaces.
To understand the ground reality, we spoke with students from different educational institutions in Guwahati to learn about their experiences, expectations and changing reading habits.
At several undergraduate colleges, students continue to recognise the importance of libraries and express an interest in using them regularly. However, the availability of relevant academic materials often becomes a major obstacle. With the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) and the subsequent changes in university curricula, students require updated textbooks, reference materials and subject-specific resources that correspond to their current syllabi.
A student from B. Borooah College, while speaking about their experience, said that despite regularly visiting the library, the lack of updated books remains a major concern.
"I visit the library regularly, and so do many other students, but the major problem is that the books are not updated according to the new education policy (NEP) or our current syllabus. On top of that, the computer systems and digital setups in the library aren't properly maintained, which makes it really frustrating when I try to do online research on campus."
The student's experience highlights two important challenges faced by institutional libraries: the need to regularly update academic collections and the importance of maintaining digital facilities. While libraries are traditionally associated with printed books, their role in modern education extends beyond maintaining physical collections. Computer systems, digital catalogues, internet access and online research facilities have increasingly become essential components of an effective academic library.
A similar concern was raised by a student from Cotton University, who pointed towards the gap between the number of books available and their actual relevance to present academic requirements.
"I see thousands of books on the shelves when I visit, but most of them are old editions that don't match what I am studying right now. Plus, the Wi-Fi connection isn't strong or stable enough for me to rely on. Since I can easily find updated study materials online on my phone or laptop, I just don't have the habit of going to the library every day."
The problem becomes particularly significant when academic curricula undergo changes. If libraries fail to revise their collections in accordance with new syllabi, students are often compelled to look elsewhere for the materials they need.
Internet connectivity is another factor influencing library usage. As academic learning increasingly incorporates online journals, digital databases, research papers and educational platforms, access to a reliable internet connection has become just as important as access to physical books. A library without properly functioning computers or stable Wi-Fi may struggle to serve students who want to combine traditional reading with digital research.
For undergraduate students, therefore, the decision to skip the library is not necessarily an indication of a lack of interest in reading. Instead, it reflects a preference for resources that are accessible, relevant and convenient. When students cannot find the required material on campus, searching online becomes a practical alternative.
However, the situation appears somewhat different when it comes to postgraduate education and advanced academic research. While undergraduate students often depend on textbooks, lecture notes and examination-oriented materials, postgraduate students and researchers frequently require specialised reference books, archived publications and sources that may not be readily available online.
At Gauhati University, postgraduate students and researchers continue to visit the central library regularly, particularly for academic projects, dissertations and research work. For them, physical libraries remain important spaces where they can access specialised resources that digital platforms may not always provide.
A researcher working on their thesis at Gauhati University explained that despite the widespread availability of online materials, the importance of physical reference books cannot be overlooked.
"I visit the library all the time because online notes only get you so far. When I am working on my thesis and research papers, I get far more valuable information here. Many of the books I use are old, but the information in them is genuine, authentic, and simply impossible to find on the internet. The reference section in particular works amazingly well for my research."
This perspective highlights an important distinction between general academic preparation and specialised research. While digital platforms provide quick access to information, research often requires a deeper engagement with original publications, specialised literature, historical records and reference materials. Certain books and archived resources may not have digitised versions, making physical access indispensable.
For researchers, libraries also offer an environment conducive to concentrated reading and academic work. The availability of reference sections, organised collections and access to multiple sources under one roof makes them valuable beyond their function as book-lending facilities.
This difference in experiences across institutions and academic levels raises a larger question about the changing role of college libraries. The issue is not simply whether students prefer books or screens. Instead, it is about whether educational institutions are adapting their library facilities to the changing expectations of students.
The growing dependence on digital resources does not necessarily make physical libraries unnecessary. In fact, it presents an opportunity for institutions to rethink how these spaces function. Libraries can evolve into integrated learning centres where students have access to updated books, digital journals, e-libraries, research databases, functional computer systems and reliable internet connectivity.
Regularly updating book collections according to revised syllabi should also be a priority. Institutions need to ensure that students from different departments and academic levels can access relevant materials rather than relying entirely on older collections. At the same time, maintaining existing infrastructure, introducing digital cataloguing systems and improving internet connectivity could make library visits more productive.
Ultimately, the experiences shared by students across Guwahati indicate that college libraries have not necessarily lost their relevance. What is changing is the way students expect to use them. While digital platforms offer speed and convenience, physical libraries continue to provide access to specialised knowledge, authentic reference materials and an environment that supports focused academic work.
The challenge before educational institutions is to bridge the gap between traditional library systems and modern academic requirements. Libraries cannot continue functioning solely as repositories of textbooks while students increasingly depend on digital learning tools.
The question, therefore, is not whether students still need libraries, but whether libraries are evolving enough to meet their needs. If educational institutions invest in updated collections, better infrastructure and accessible digital resources, college libraries can continue to remain meaningful spaces in modern academic life. Otherwise, the growing distance between students and their institutional libraries may become increasingly difficult to reverse.
