Evidences of outsourcing in science and technology libraries of Delhi Dinesh K. Gupta and Veerbala Sharma Department of Library and Information Science, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India Abstract Purpose – The paper aims to study the status and future trend of outsourcing in science and technology libraries in Delhi. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is the result of the detailed literature survey and a survey conducted on 40 science and technology libraries of Delhi, India. Questionnaire and interview tools of survey were used to collect the primary data. Findings – The paper reveals that most Indian libraries have been using selective outsourcing for many years, which has had favorable impact on these libraries. The majority of libraries outsource professional-automated and non-professional activities and services. They are still not ready to outsource professional traditional library activities and services, whereas the literature shows that internationally libraries outsourced tradition activities and services equally. Indian libraries also want to continue and expand the use of outsourcing in the future, especially digitization, RFID tagging and maintenance. Originality/value – The Indian library science literature gives just the reflections of outsourcing being practiced in various libraries and no traces of survey(s) conducted in this area. This paper is the first attempt to glance at this widely used concept in almost all types of libraries in one way or another. This paper may open discussions on an area that is being used by all, although they refrain from accepting it, considering outsourcing as an anti-professional activity. Keywords Outsourcing, Contracting out, Privatization, Special libraries, India Paper type Research paper Introduction Outsourcing is a phenomenon that is sweeping diligence and equally affecting economy of all sectors: Private, Public and Academic. Libraries are not immune to this trend. The term “Outsourcing” may be somewhat new to the vocabulary of Indian librarianship but its practice in libraries is not. For many years, librarians have used outsourcing as a viable way to accomplish many and varied tasks, e.g. outsourcing of janitorial services or bookbinding. These are tasks better done by companies formed to perform such services. Library networks and consortia are also seen as ways to outsource and these are the examples of acceptable outsourcing. In an environment of freezing/ shrinking budgets and an increasing demand for more information by library users, many libraries outsource some of their services and functions to an outside vendor. This is regarded as a solution to financial and staffing problems or sharing of our responsibilities and risks with vendors. Outsourcing has become a strategic tool in library management. Literature review Outsourcing is a persistent and controversial topic among librarians. Generally, no one has an objection to the outsourcing of non-library or core functions. On the other hand, The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm Outsourcing in libraries of Delhi 241 Received 10 October 2011 Accepted 20 February 2012 Library Management Vol. 33 No. 4/5, 2012 pp. 241-252 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 0143-5124 DOI 10.1108/01435121211242281