I express my sincere gratitude to the management of Sri Krishna devaraya University, Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, for having permitted me to undergo this research program.

I express my sincere thanks to the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examination, Research Coordinator and Research Director of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, for their magnanimous support and permission to do this research.

I convey my sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. G. Gangadharaiah, my Research Supervisor, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore and Information Scientist, SK University, Anantapur, A.P, for his timely guidance and constant encouragement till the completion of this research work.

My sincere thanks and profound gratitude to esteemed Dr. R. Sarangapani, Professorand Head-Department of Library and Information Sciences, Bharathiar University-Coimbatore, for his expertise, valuable suggestions and encouragement to accomplish this research work successfully.

I also express my thanks to librarians and staff of Osmania University, Sri Potti Sree ramulu Telugu University, University of Hyderabad, Andhra University, Sri Krishna devaraya University, Sanskrit University, Madras University, Madurai Kamraj University, University ofTamil Nadu, Mysore University, Gulbarga University and University of Karnataka Librarieswho provided data on different aspects of my research.

This Thesis would not have been accomplished without the love and encouragement of my beloved parents Mrs. B. Lakshmi Devi and Sri B.Lakshmanna for their support and inspiration towards the successful completion of my research work.  I express deep sense of gratitude to my brother B L Kiran Kumar  who took pain to drive me towards collecting data from all universities.

I express my special thanks to my children Chi. Ravinder yadav and Chi. Shanmukha yadav who are my biggest strength to complete this study.

I wish to thank my sister Miss. B. Swetha Yadav and Mr. Yaswanth for their constant support. I express my deep sense of love and thanks to my husband Chandra kanth Yadav, PGT, A.P. Model Schools, for his great support, encouragement and help to boost up to do higher studies. Without him I could not have come to this level in studies.

BillaNalini