Digital Services in Focus & User Awareness and Satisfaction in Private and Government Medical College Libraries of Bihar: A Study

This study investigates user awareness and satisfaction regarding digital (ICT) services in private and government medical college libraries across Bihar. Employing a comparative approach, data were collected from undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and teaching faculty in eight medical colleges. The findings reveal exceptionally high awareness of ICT services among all user groups, with circulation services consistently achieving the highest satisfaction rates (average 77.2%). Reference and book reservation services also performed well, while advanced research-oriented services such as CAS/SDI and bibliographic tools showed lower but institutionally varied adoption and satisfaction. Notably, private institutions generally excelled in basic service satisfaction, whereas government colleges demonstrated stronger performance in specialized academic and research services. Faculty members reported higher satisfaction levels than students across most service categories, indicating tailored support for academic staff. The study highlights the need for enhanced promotion and training for advanced digital services, especially among students, and recommends targeted strategies to bridge the gap between service availability and effective utilization. These insights can guide library administrators and policymakers in optimizing digital resource delivery, ensuring equitable access, and advancing the quality of medical education in Bihar.