Availability & access of e resources in au
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The document presents the results of a case study on the availability and access of electronic resources at Assam University Library in Silchar, India. It finds that the library provides a variety of e-resources including over 5000 online journals through UGC-Infonet and 971 journals through DELCON. A survey of 150 students, researchers and teachers found that most prefer electronic resources for their convenience. While e-resources are widely used, users face issues like poor internet connectivity, inability to read from screens, and lack of ICT knowledge and training. The study recommends enhancing infrastructure to better utilize available electronic resources.
Availability & access of e resources in au
- 1. A PRESENTATION ON AVAILABILITY & ACCESS OF E- RESOURCES IN ASSAM UNIVERSITY, SILCHAR: A CASE STUDY Prepared by – Shibojit Choudhary Dr. Mukut Sarmah MLISc Student & Assistant Professor DLISC, AUS DLISc, AUS 29th Convention of SIS @ NIT Silchar 2012
- 2. Introduction E-resources have occupied a significant place in academic as well as R & D libraries. Traditionally, the collection of library resources includes the printed documents (such as books, journals, etc.) which are supplemented by audio and video cassettes. But the recent developments in the field of ICT and the emergence Internet, WWW have dramatically changed the whole scenario. Libraries now have both printed as well as electronic resources in their collection. The development of ICT, WWW and the emergence of e-resources also affect the information seeking, information searching and retrieval. The clientele of university libraries are nowadays more computer literate and internet aware. They prefer the information resources in electronic form and want remote and any time access to these resources. This paper presents the results of the case study carried out to understand the availability and access to e-resources in Assam University.
- 3. E-Resources Available in Assam University Library Sl. No. Types of e-resources Total No. 1. CD-ROMs / DVD-ROMs (Books) 317 2. CD-ROMs / DVD-ROMs (Journals) 74 3. Audio Cassettes (French) 06 4. Audio Cassettes (Fine Arts) 39 5. Online Journal (Through UGC-Infonet) 5000+ 6. Online Journal (Through DeLCON) 971
- 4. Objectives of the Study To study the use of different types of e-resources by the students, research scholars and teachers To determine the frequency of using the electronic resources by the users To know the place from where users access the e-resources To study the various purposes of using e-resources by the users To ascertain the problems faced by the library users in using the e-resources To draw opinions and suggestions from the users towards improving the accessibility of the e-resources available in the AUS Library
- 5. Methodology The present study has been conducted using survey method. Primarily, the questionnaire has been used as a data collection tool along with observations and informal interviews. The questionnaire consists of twenty questions which have been designed keeping in view the objectives of the study. A total of 150 questionnaires are distributed randomly to students, research scholars and teachers of Assam University. For the purpose of this study, other sources of information are also consulted and data have been collected from the library records, annual reports, and by visiting the websites of Assam University Silchar (www.aus.ac.in), UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium (www.inflibnet.ac.in), DELNET (www.delnet.nic.in) and DeLCON (www.delcon.gov.in).
- 6. DATA ANALYSIS & FINDINGS
- 7. Responses Received from the Respondents 26% Received Not Recieved 74% Questionnaires selected for the study (N) = 111 – 3 = 108
- 8. Category and Gender wise Distribution of Respondents 60 Percentage of Respondents 50 21.29 40 30 Female 13.89 Male 20 37.04 6.48 10 13.89 7.41 0 Student Research Scholar Teacher Category
- 9. Comparison in Using Printed and Electronic Resources 28% Mainly Printed Mainly Electronic Equally Printed and Electronic 11% 61%
- 10. Usage of Different Types of E- Resources 44.44 45 36.11 40 Percentage of Responses 35 30 25 20 15 10 2.78 0 0 5 0 0 CDs DVDs Audios E-journals E-books Other Types of e-resources
- 11. Frequency of Using E-Resources 16.67 24.07 Daily 13.89 Once in a week Several times in a 5.56 week 25.93 Once in a month 5.56 8.33 Several times in a month Occasionally No response
- 12. Places of Accessing E-Resources 47.22 Percentage of Responses 50 40 27.78 30 19.44 20 10 2.78 0 Library Computer Department Wi-Fi Centre (LAN) Places
- 13. Purposes of Using E-Resources 33.33 Percentage of Respondents 33.33 33.33 35 30 25 22.22 20 16.67 15 10 5 0 0 For For writing For For For Other preparing papers projects seminars research purpose notes work Purposes
- 14. Preference of E-Resources over Printed Resources 0.93 % Yes No 99.07 %
- 15. Reasons for Preference of E-Resources 70 69.44 60 52.78 Percentage of Respondents 50 40 33.33 36.11 30 27.78 25 20 10 0 0 Made it easier Reduced Improved the Made it easier Expanded the Made it easier Other reason to find working time quality of work to keep up resources to get hold of materials with the available the materials developments Reasons for Prefernce
- 16. Problems Faced in Using E-Resources 66.67 70 60 Percentage of Responses 50 40 27.78 30.56 30 20 13.89 11.11 10 0 0 0 Problem in Difficult to Lack of ICT Lack of Frequently Inadequate Other internet read from Knowledge training power number of problems connectivity screen failure computers Problems
- 17. Suggestions & Recommendations The infrastructure facilities should be enhanced for better utilization of available e-resources. Necessary arrangements should be made for uninterrupted power supply so that user can access the e-resources without any difficulty. The speed of Internet should to be increased for quick access to the available e-resources. Higher speeds Wi-Fi campus needs to be developed by AUS, so that users can access online e-resources within the campus according to their suitability. The library should conduct feedback / users survey to know the need of the users from time to time. Networked printers must be provided in the central as well as in the departmental libraries so that the users can take print-outs. The Internet facility should be extended to the hostels and rooms of the teachers. More number of terminals with internet connection should be provided in the departments.
- 18. Conclusion The study reveals that there is a need to take necessary steps for better utilization of e-resources available in the Assam University Library. Number of journals provided through the UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium and DeLCON should be increased and to make use of all these e-resources, awareness programme should be conducted. The study revealed that there is a need to develop infrastructure facilities for optimum use of available e- resources.
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