How Much Do India's Leading Colleges Spend on Libraries? An Analysis of the Top 100 Institutions

Abstract

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of annual library expenditure among colleges in India ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). It evaluates the number of enrolled students, calculates the average per-student library expenditure, and examines the proportion of capital investment dedicated by colleges to library resources. Special attention is given to institutions with consistently ranked colleges. The authors have also done an exploration of the correlation between library expenditure and ranking performance. The study uncovers significant disparities in resource allocation across top colleges. Driven by data, the authors suggest optimal benchmarks for annual library expenditure: either ₹300 per student or 10% of annual capital expenditure, whichever amount is higher. A change in the formula of NIRF regarding the library expenditure is essential to ensure that institutions achieving top national ranking positions meet the minimum fiscal responsibility of adequate library resource allocation. These insights inform policy-makers and drive improvements in the quality of library resources, with the potential to positively impact higher education nationwide.