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Evolution of User-centric resource development and Digital access in Public Libraries

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Suri Vidyasagar College, Suri, Birbhum, West Bengal-731101, India and Department of Library and Information Science, Sona Devi University, Jharkhand- 832303, India
  • 2University Librarian &Proctor, Rishihood University, NH-44- 131021, Sonipat, India

Res. J. Library Sci., Volume 14, Issue (2), Pages 7-15, July,21 (2026)

Abstract

This review article critically examines the paradigmatic shift in public librarianship from collection-centred models toward user-centric resource development and digital access frameworks. Tracing the evolution from the early 2000s to the present, the analysis synthesises empirical research, theoretical contributions, and case studies across library and information science literature. The review identifies four distinct but overlapping phases of transformation: the emergence of participatory collection development, the integration of digital access as a core service, the rise of community-driven resource curation, and the current challenges surrounding algorithmic mediation and digital equity. Key findings suggest that while public libraries have made substantial progress in democratizing resource development, persistent structural barriers, including funding disparities, technological infrastructure gaps, and professional resistance to role redefinition, continue to limit the realisation of genuinely user-centric models. The review concludes by identifying critical gaps in the literature, particularly concerning longitudinal assessments of user participation outcomes and comparative analyses across diverse institutional contexts.

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