Impact of COVID-19 on Job Satisfaction among Librarian working in unaided colleges affiliated University of Mumbai in Mumbai and Thane District

Journal of Research and Development A Multidisciplinary International Level Referred and Double Blind Peer Reviewed, Open Access ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-11(I)| November 2025 183 Impact of COVID-19 on Job Satisfaction among Librarian working in unaided colleges affiliated University of Mumbai in Mumbai and Thane District Kavita Salve1, Dr. Bhagyashri Keskar2 1Research Scholar, Dept. of Library & Information Science, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra (India) 2Librarian, Yogeshwari Mahavidyalaya, Ambajogai (Dist: Beed) Manuscript ID: JRD -2025-171138 ISSN: 2230-9578 Volume 17 Issue 11 (I) Pp. 183-185 Nov. 2025 Submitted:15 Oct. 2025 Revised: 25 Oct. 2025 Accepted: 10 Nov. 2025 Published: 30 Nov. 2025 Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in December 2019, had far-reaching effects on various sectors globally, with the education sector being one of the most significantly impacted. In India, the pandemic forced educational institutions to close and transition to online learning, disrupting the traditional roles and responsibilities of various staff members, including college librarians. Unaided colleges, which rely heavily on self-financing mechanisms, experienced distinct challenges compared to their aided counterparts. This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 on job satisfaction among unaided college librarians in Mumbai and Thane districts, focusing on changes in work dynamics, technology adoption, job security, and professional development during the pandemic. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, utilizing surveys and interviews to gather data from unaided college librarians. Results indicate that the shift to online learning and library services led to increased workloads, stress, and job insecurity among librarians, while technological challenges and a lack of training were also prominent. However, some librarians reported increased job satisfaction due to the flexibility offered by remote work and the opportunity to innovate in service delivery. The findings suggest that the pandemic has underscored the need for adequate training, emotional support, and greater recognition of librarians' roles in the education sector. Keywords: COVID-19, job satisfaction, college librarians, unaided colleges, Mumbai, Thane district, online learning, job insecurity Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to the education system worldwide, resulting in significant disruptions to teaching, learning, and administration. In India, educational institutions were forced to close their physical campuses and adopt online learning platforms, a transition that was particularly challenging for non-teaching staff such as librarians. Librarians, traditionally responsible for managing physical collections and supporting in-person academic research, had to adapt to new roles involving online information management, digital resource curation, and virtual support for students and faculty. This paper explores the impact of the pandemic on job satisfaction among unaided college librarians in Mumbai and Thane districts of Maharashtra. These districts were chosen due to their dense population and concentration of both aided and unaided colleges, which present a unique opportunity to examine the specific challenges faced by unaided institutions. Literature Review Job satisfaction is a complex and multidimensional construct influenced by various factors, including work environment, compensation, professional development opportunities, job security, and the nature of the work itself. For librarians, job satisfaction is often linked to the ability to offer quality service, access to resources, and involvement in the academic community. The pandemic has, however, altered the nature of these aspects drastically. Quick Response Code: Website: https://jrdrvb.org/ DOI: Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Public License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work noncommercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations ae licensed under the idential terms. Address for correspondence: Kavita Salve, Research Scholar, Dept. of Library & Information Science, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Marathwada University, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra (India) How to cite this article: Kavita Salve, Bhagyashri Keskar(2025). Impact of COVID-19 on Job Satisfaction among Librarian working in unaided colleges affiliated University of Mumbai in Mumbai and Thane District. Journal of Research & Development, 17(11(I)), 183-185. Original Article Journal of Research and Development A Multidisciplinary International Level Referred and Double Blind Peer Reviewed, Open Access ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-11(I)| November 2025 184 Previous studies on job satisfaction in the library profession have noted that job satisfaction is influenced by organizational support, opportunities for professional growth, and the autonomy to perform tasks (Budd, 2008;Lee & Lee, 2016). During the pandemic, several studies have reported a decline in job satisfaction due to increased workload, lack of job security, and challenges associated with the transition to digital services (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2020; Zuber, 2021). Furthermore, librarians' experiences varied significantly between institutions, with those in unaided colleges facing more significant financial and administrative challenges. In India, where many librarians in unaided colleges are part-time or contractual employees, the uncertainty during the pandemic has led to increased concerns regarding job stability (Ravi & Gupta, 2021). While technological advancements have provided opportunities for service innovation, many librarians lacked the necessary training to effectively manage digital resources (Singh & Patel, 2020). Research Objectives The primary objectives of this study are: 1. To examine the impact of COVID-19 on job satisfaction among unaided college librarians in Mumbai and Thane districts. 2. To assess the challenges faced by librarians in adapting to online learning environments. 3. To understand the role of technological infrastructure, training, and institutional support in shaping job satisfaction. 4. To explore the potential factors that contributed to both positive and negative shifts in job satisfaction. Methodology This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research methods. A questionnaire survey was administered to 50 librarians working in unaided colleges across Mumbai and Thane districts. The survey consisted of Likert-scale questions designed to assess job satisfaction on various dimensions, including work environment, job security, professional development, workload, and the use of technology. In addition to the survey, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 librarians to gain deeper insights into their personal experiences during the pandemic. The interview questions focused on the challenges they faced, their coping strategies, and their perceptions of the support (or lack thereof) from their respective institutions. Data Analysis The data collected through the surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics, focusing on mean scores and standard deviations to identify trends in job satisfaction. Qualitative data from the interviews were analysed using thematic coding to identify recurring themes related to job satisfaction and challenges faced by librarians. Results and Discussion 1. Impact of COVID-19 on Job Satisfaction The survey revealed that the overall job satisfaction among unaided college librarians in Mumbai and Thane significantly declined during the pandemic. On a scale of 1 to 5, the average job satisfaction score dropped from 3.8 pre-pandemic to 2.5 during the pandemic. Several factors contributed to this decline:  Increased Workload: 72% of respondents reported that their workload had increased due to the shift to online platforms, digital resource management, and virtual library services.  Lack of Technological Training: 65% of librarians expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of proper training in using digital tools and resources, making it difficult for them to effectively support faculty and students.  Job Insecurity: 58% of librarians reported increased anxiety regarding job security, especially those employed on a part-time or contractual basis. Many feared permanent layoffs due to the financial strain on unaided colleges during the pandemic. 2. Positive Aspects of Job Satisfaction Despite these challenges, some librarians noted positive aspects of their work during the pandemic:  Flexibility and Autonomy: 48% of librarians reported that working remotely allowed them more flexibility in managing their work schedules, contributing to a positive shift in job satisfaction.  Technological Innovation: 30% of respondents appreciated the opportunity to innovate and experiment with new tools and resources, including virtual reference services, e-books, and online workshops. However, the positive aspects were often overshadowed by the overall strain of increased responsibilities and lack of institutional support. 3. Institutional Support and Training Institutional support was a key factor influencing job satisfaction. Only 40% of librarians reported that their institutions provided adequate support for adapting to digital environments, such as providing training, upgrading technology, or offering emotional support. This lack of institutional commitment was particularly evident in unaided colleges, where resources were limited. Journal of Research and Development A Multidisciplinary International Level Referred and Double Blind Peer Reviewed, Open Access ISSN : 2230-9578 | Website: https://jrdrvb.org Volume-17, Issue-11(I)| November 2025 185 4. Coping Strategies and Professional Development Librarians employed various coping strategies to manage stress and adapt to the new work environment. These included self-directed learning through online courses (38%), peer collaboration (27%), and participation in professional development webinars (22%). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound and multifaceted impact on job satisfaction among unaided college librarians in Mumbai and Thane districts. While some librarians experienced increased flexibility and opportunities for technological innovation, the overwhelming challenges—such as increased workload, lack of training, and job insecurity—contributed to a decline in job satisfaction. To improve job satisfaction in the future, it is recommended that institutions provide targeted training in digital technologies, foster a supportive work environment, and ensure better job security, especially for part-time and contractual employees. Moreover, librarians should be recognized for their evolving roles in the digital transformation of education. References 1. Budd, J. M. (2008). Job satisfaction among library staff: A review of the literature. Library & Information Science Research, 30(2), 116-123. 2. Kaufman, R. L., & Kaufman, S. G. (2020). COVID-19 and library services: A comprehensive review. Journal of Library Administration, 60(7), 1-18. 3. Lee, J., & Lee, S. (2016). Factors influencing job satisfaction among academic librarians in the United States. Library and Information Science Research, 38(4), 259-267. 4. Ravi, A., & Gupta, N. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on librarianship in India: Challenges and coping mechanisms. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 47(2), 1-6. 5. Singh, P., & Patel, R. (2020). Technological adaptation and the role of academic librarians during the pandemic. Journal of Information Science, 46(5), 728-738. 6. Zuber, K. (2021). Job satisfaction and mental health among library staff during the pandemic. Library Management, 42(3), 115-127.