Historical Evaluation of Library Automation in India from 1960 to 2025

This paper provides a comprehensive historical evaluation of library automation in India from 1960 to 2025. Using archival records, published literature, institutional reports, and case studies of 15 major libraries across India, the study meticulously traces the evolution of library systems through five distinct phases: manual and mechanized systems (1960–1979), early computerization (1980–1995), the CDS/ISIS and INFLIBNET era (1996–2005), open source Integrated Library System (ILS) adoption (2006–2015), and cloud-based and AI-integrated systems (2016–2025). Key policy and technological drivers included the University Grants Commission's UGC-INFONET programme, the N-LIST platform, open source solutions such as Koha and DSpace, e-Granthalaya for public libraries, and the National Education Policy 2020. Expert interviews with twelve automation pioneers and current practitioners supplement the archival data. The study finds that library automation in India has progressed from isolated institutional experiments to a nationwide networked ecosystem; however, a persistent digital divide between urban and rural libraries remains a critical challenge. Automation rates range from 89% in urban academic libraries to merely 31% in rural college libraries as of 2025. Future strategic directions include AI-driven discovery, linked open data for Indian cultural heritage, and blockchain-enabled digital preservation. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for bridging the digital divide and advancing equitable library automation across India.