Preservation and Use of Pamphlets in College Libraries: A Study

The paper succinctly describes the present status of pamphlets (nature, features and importance), preservation by the college libraries and the use of the same by the students, academic staff, research scholars and extension workers in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts of Maharashtra state in India. The survey was conducted among 216 college libraries functioning in Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts in 2012 and observed that the pamphlets are primary source of information (93% users) and useful in education, research and extension work but collection is very rare and not preserved properly by the libraries. The 54.86% libraries are receiving general and educational types of pamphlets out of which general 51.32% and educational 3.54% libraries are receiving pamphlets. The 75.79% libraries are receiving pamphlets irregularly out of which 48.67% general and 96.46% educational pamphlets. It was concluded that presently the pamphlet is important and primary source of information. It is quite useful in education, research and extension for users but libraries are not serious for their preservation. In the present fast changing scenario, pamphlets are available online and therefore considering its importance, a separate ‘Pamphlet Repository’ is proposed for proper preservation.