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

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.