Sustainability in the Digital Age: Balancing Print and Electronic Collections to meet Evolving User Needs

  • Unique Paper ID: 190049
  • PageNo: 4778-4781
  • Abstract:
  • information centres are experiencing a paradigm shift in the way information is acquired, stored, accessed, and disseminated. The rapid growth of electronic resources has transformed traditional library services, raising important questions about sustainability, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and long-term accessibility. This study examines the concept of sustainability in the digital age with specific focus on balancing print and electronic collections to meet evolving user needs. Using descriptive and analytical research methods supported by primary survey data and secondary sources, the study analyses user preferences, usage patterns, cost implications, and sustainability dimensions of print and electronic resources. The findings reveal a strong inclination toward electronic resources for accessibility and convenience, while print resources continue to play a vital role in deep reading, preservation, and inclusivity. The study concludes that a hybrid collection development model is the most sustainable approach for libraries in the digital age.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{190049,
        author = {Thamminana Ramu and Modalavalasa Induvadana},
        title = {Sustainability in the Digital Age: Balancing Print and Electronic Collections to meet Evolving User Needs},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {8},
        pages = {4778-4781},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=190049},
        abstract = {information centres are experiencing a paradigm shift in the way information is acquired, stored, accessed, and disseminated. The rapid growth of electronic resources has transformed traditional library services, raising important questions about sustainability, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and long-term accessibility. This study examines the concept of sustainability in the digital age with specific focus on balancing print and electronic collections to meet evolving user needs. Using descriptive and analytical research methods supported by primary survey data and secondary sources, the study analyses user preferences, usage patterns, cost implications, and sustainability dimensions of print and electronic resources. The findings reveal a strong inclination toward electronic resources for accessibility and convenience, while print resources continue to play a vital role in deep reading, preservation, and inclusivity. The study concludes that a hybrid collection development model is the most sustainable approach for libraries in the digital age.},
        keywords = {Sustainability, Digital Age, Print Resources, Electronic Resources, Library Collections, User Needs, Hybrid Libraries},
        month = {February},
        }

Cite This Article

Ramu, T., & Induvadana, M. (2026). Sustainability in the Digital Age: Balancing Print and Electronic Collections to meet Evolving User Needs. International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT). https://doi.org/doi.org/10.64643/IJIRTV12I8-190049-459

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