Women Empowerment: Role of Public Libraries

Abstract

The present study emphases on the role of public library on women empowerment. The population of the present study is women users of Bhandara District Library. To collect the data a questionnaire method was used. Out of 300 questionnaires were distributed, 188 questionnaires were returned. The study carried out to explore the awareness and use of information and communication technology tools and services in public libraries by women, the role of public libraries in the educational, cultural and socio-political development of women and to signifying appropriate method for women empowerment with the help of public library. The present Study shows that the empowerment programs organized by public libraries play an important role in women empowerment. A social program organized by the library also supports women empowerment. Information technology has a positive effect on women empowerment. Information sources in the library are not sufficient to meet the needs of women users and facilities of the library with regards to women need to be improved. Application of Information Technology area was very weak in case of women.Empowering women has become the focus of considerable discussion and attention all over the world as well as associated with research in many educational disciplines including that of adult education. Today women is stigmatized and rebuked by the family and the society. In an attempt to bridge gender disparity in the developing world different agencies are trying to elevate the status of women so that they become increasingly visible in various roles such as socio economic, political and civil leadership. Over two decades of the women’s movement across India, we have seen an increasing emphasis on the promotion of grass roots level organization for women development and discussions as women status and empowerment. In India women are more than man, most of this Women are living in bad condition they are suffering various problems since independence; the Government has implemented several empowerment programs to develop or empower the Women. A. Objectives of the Study 1) To find out the frequency of use of public libraries by women. 2) To find out information services in public libraries mostly used by women. 3) To explore the awareness and use of information and communication technology tools and services in public libraries by women. 4) To evaluate the role of public libraries in the educational, cultural and socio-political development of women. 5) To signifying appropriate method for women empowerment with the help of public library. II. METHODOLOGY In this study, for the collection of data of this study a well designed questionnaire were used. For this study all the female users of the library are selected. In which the major users of this study are students, housewives, government employees and other people of Bhandara district public library. For this study a random sampling technique was used. 300 questionnaires were distributed among the users of the district public library. Out of which 188 questionnaires were returned. The collected data is analyzed and presented in the form of tables with necessary interpretation. 1) Category-wise Distribution of Data The details of category-wise members were collected and the information is tabulated as below. Category Number of questionnaires distributed Responses received Percentage Students 82 56 29.78 Employees 63 39 20.74 Housewives 96 61 32.44 Others 59 32 17.02 300 188 100 The study shows that Out of 300 questionnaires were distributed among the women users of the public library, 188 questionnaires were returned. 32.44 % of housewives followed by 29.78% students, 20.74 % Employees and 17.02% of others give responses to the questionnaires. From this it is concluded that Housewives give most of responses and others give a least responses. 2) Frequency of Library Visit Frequency No. of responses Percentage Daily 58 30.85 Weekly 39 20.75 Monthly 44 23.40 Occasionally 47 25.00 188 100 A question asked about the frequency of library visit to the users, the study shows that 30.85 % of users visit library on Daily basis, while 25.00% users visited occasionally followed by 23.40% users visited monthly and 20.75% on weekly basis. From this it is concluded that majority of users visited on daily basis to the public library. Frequency No. of responses Percent Excellent 62 32.97 Good 66 35.10 37 19.68 Bad 13 06.91 Very Bad 10 05.32 To check their efficiency, their services help the women users in their empowerment, the women users were asked to comment on performance of staff is good, using the five response options as - a) Strongly agree, b) agree, c) neutral, d) disagree and e) strongly disagree Majority of users i.e. 35.10 % agreed with the statement of performance of staff is good, 32.97% users strongly agreed and while06.91% disagree and 05.32% strongly disagree with the statement, remaining 19.68 % users remains neutral. This implies strong underlying fact that majority of the users satisfied with the services of the staff. 3) Services of the Library District Public library conducted various programs like cultural programs, women’s skill programs, reading competitions, seminars, talks etc. to its potential users. I this study researcher asked a question, which service is most commonly used by women for their empowerment. Frequency No. of responses Percent Reading Competition 60 31.91 Seminar 47 25.00 Cultural Program 23 12.23 Skill development Program 68 36.17 188 100 The study shows that the 36.17 % of women users opined that women skill programs is more beneficial for women empowerment followed 31.91% opined for Reading competition, 25.00% for Seminar and 12.23% opined for Cultural programs is beneficial. The analysis indicated that majority of the women users of public library suggested that skill programs play an important role in women empowerment. Purpose of using internet No. of responses Percent Carrier development 74 39.36 Self Study 44 23.40 Daily Purpose 49 26.07 Entertainment 21 11.17 188 100 The users were asked to give their opinion about the purpose of using internet facilities, 39.36% of women user use internet for carrier development followed by 26.07% for daily purpose, 23.40% for self study and 11.17% for entertainment. From this it is concluded that most of the women users use internet for carrier development. The users were asked to give their opinion about the effect of information technology on women empowerment, 54.26% of respondent’s opined positive effect on women empowerment, while 45.74% of users opined negative effect. .This conclude that information technology have a positive effect on women empowerment. Resources Number of responses Percentage Positive 102 54.26 Negative 86 45.74 188 100 As per the above table shows that woman respondents give first preference to newspapers 40.43% followed by periodicals 35.63%, internet 12.23% and books 11.71% respectively. Resources Number of responses Percentage Books 22 11.71 Periodicals 67 35.63 Newpaper 76 40.43 Internet 23 12.23 Total 188 100 From the above table it is seen that newspaper are the most supporting resource among women empowerment followed by periodicals and internet. Very few percentage of womens opened that books is supporting to women empowerment. Programmes Number of responses Percentage Social 62 32.98 Financial 23 12.23 Cultural 58 30.85 Technological 45 29.94 Total 188 100 III. MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY 1) Majority of the users opined that the skill development programmers plays an important role in women empowerment. 2) The library provides internet facilities to the users and majority of the users are aware of the information technology applications. 3) A good number of the women under study use internet for carrier development. 4) The majority of the respondents opined that information technology have a positive effect on women empowerment. 5) Newspapers is the most supportive resources among women followed by Periodicals. 6) Majority of the users think skill development programs organized by the library supports women empowerment.

Introduction

Women’s empowerment is a widely discussed issue globally and in educational research. In developing countries like India, women face stigma and inequality. Efforts have been made through various programs and movements, especially at the grassroots level, to improve women’s socio-economic and political status. Public libraries are recognized as potential tools for empowering women.

2. Objectives of the Study

The study aimed to:

• Assess women’s use of public libraries.

• Identify popular library services among women.

• Examine awareness and use of ICT tools by women in libraries.

• Evaluate how libraries support women’s educational, cultural, and socio-political development.

• Recommend methods for empowering women through library services.

3. Methodology

• A survey using questionnaires was conducted in Bhandara district public library, targeting female users (students, housewives, employees, and others).

• 300 questionnaires were distributed; 188 were returned.

• Random sampling was used for data collection.

4. Key Findings

User Demographics & Library Usage

• Housewives (32.44%) responded the most, followed by students (29.78%).

• 30.85% of women visit the library daily, and 25% visit occasionally.

Staff and Services Satisfaction

• 68.07% rated staff performance as good or excellent, indicating high satisfaction.

Most Used Library Services

• Skill development programs were the most utilized (36.17%), followed by:

  • Reading competitions (31.91%)

  • Seminars (25%)

  • Cultural programs (12.23%)

Use of Internet and ICT

• 39.36% use internet for career development.

• 54.26% believe ICT positively impacts women's empowerment.

• Common internet uses include daily needs, self-study, and entertainment.

Preferred Information Resources

• Newspapers (40.43%) are the most supportive resource for empowerment, followed by:

  • Periodicals (35.63%)

  • Internet (12.23%)

  • Books (11.71%)

Types of Empowerment Programs Preferred

• Social programs (32.98%) and cultural programs (30.85%) were most appreciated.

• Technological (29.94%) and financial (12.23%) programs followed.

5. Major Conclusions

• Skill development programs play a crucial role in empowering women.

• Internet access and awareness of ICT tools are widespread among female users.

• Career development is a key driver for internet use.

• ICT and public library services have a positive effect on women's empowerment.

• Libraries act as effective platforms for educational, cultural, and social growth among women.

References

[1] Ravikumar, S. K. (2006). Indian women. (1st ed., pp.32-46). Jaipur: Mangal deep publications. [2] Bhuvaneshwari Ravi, &GayathriVivek, (2014). Importance of partnership for development of public libraries in India. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 33(1), 12-20. [3] Kaliya, Perumal, &Baskaran,S,. (2010). Infoarmation seeking behaviour of rural folk in Tamil nadu : A case study of Peramakudi branch libray. Kelpro Bulletin, 4(2), 49-59. [4] UNESCO Manifesto. (2014). Retrieved January 17, 2014 from http://unesco.org. [5] Laila T Abraham. (2014). Role of public libraries in non-formal education in Kerala. KelproBulletin, 14(2), 60-67. [6] Ibid.3 [7] Abdul Kalam, A P J, &Sivathanu Pillai. (2004). Envisioning an empowered nation (1 st ed.,pp.19-21). New Delhi: Tata McGraw hill publishing company Limited. [8] Usha Sharma. (2003). Women in South Asia Employment Empowerment and Human Development(1st ed,pp.1-25). Delhi: Authors press. [9] Suguna B., &Sandhya Rani, (2008). Health status of women welfare and empowerment in India (1st ed., pp.110-123). New Delhi: New century publication. [10] K V Singh, (2007). Women issues empowerment and gender discrimination (1st ed., pp.51-52). Delhi: Vista international publishing house. [11] Gutam, J. N., & Sunil kumar. (2004). Community Information and Library service for rural people, information communication library and community development (1st ed., pp.410-412) Delhi: B R publishing corporation.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Prashant S. Pagade. This 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.