PradeepP.
A. and A.T. Francis (2015)18assessed the electronic information behavior of engineering faculty members in the state of Kerala. The survey revealed that preparing study materials and updating subject knowledge are the main objectives of using electronic resources. Around 97% of the staff relied on e-journals and to a smaller extent on online tutorials, blogs, e-books and social networking sites. The study indicated that besides Google and Yahoo, Bing is also rated as a good search engine and the faculty members do possess computer proficiency for using internet, social sites, MS Office and online newspapers and magazines. They lag behind in html and programming languages though.
Besides, Google Scholar and IEEE, Science Direct and EngNetBase are the two important electronic information sources used widely by these academicians.Agyekum and Ossom (2015)19 did a research on the awareness and significance of electronic journal usage by faculty members and lecturers in Kumasi Polytechnic, Ghana. The results indicated that only a small proportion of the users used e-journal for preparing for their classes and getting updates. However, it was observed that nearly 50% of the respondents used the e-journal for research work. The results further indicated that slow internet connectivity is the chief challenge faced by the users which is closely followed by frequent power outage. With relevant corrective measures and proper training, the utilization of e-resources can be made productive.Alamgir Khan and TridibTripathi (2015)20surveyed the use of e-resources by the teachers and students of ChandidasMahavidyalaya, West Bengal. The paper attempted to check the awareness of INFLIBNET N-LIST services, adequacy of library resources and evaluation of library services.
It was found that more than 90% of the users are aware of INFLIBNET N-LIST and a majority of them learnt about this portal through college library service. Unfortunately, most of the users are not satisfied with the library’s internet facilities because of inadequate infrastructure and lack of systematic arrangement of computers. Despite sufficient availability of e-resources for all the existing disciplines the teachers and students are not able to draw maximum benefits because of scarce training programmes by the library on effective utilization of such invaluable e-resources. Therefore, suggestions to provide Wi-Fi in the library and incorporating more number of syllabus oriented E-Resources were put forth to improve library services.
Jane Aba and et al., (2015)21 using descriptive survey examined the use of Internet service by postgraduate students for research in Francis SulemanuIdachaba Library, University of Agriculture Makurdi. Surprisingly, the results indicated that 37.78% had received training on how to use Internet from external sources and nearly 45% of the respondents’ competency was rated average. A maximum number of users that is 87.41% admitted that digital libraries had a profound impact on their academic performances. However, more than half of the respondents used internet outside the University and surfed the internet for their research work and other educational purposes.
Although most of the respondents are fully satisfied with the internet facilities, they at the same time feel that with consistent training and guidance, the efficiency in utilization of digital information can be increasedJiveshBansal (2015)22investigated the use of e-resources by agricultural scientists working in various ICAR research institutes in Himalayan region of India. It was observed that electronic format is the preferred medium and the awareness about online information source is more amongst young scientists than their senior peers. These agricultural scientists rely on e-journals and online databases especially CAB Abstracts and AGRIS for their research works. Similarly, the satisfaction level with the availability of e-resources is significant amid both the peer groups. The paper concluded by recommending that in order to maintain a consistent satisfactory level, new collection of e-resources at central and respective institutes should be added constantly.Jane Aba and et al., (2015)23 using descriptive survey examined the use of Internet service by postgraduate students for research in Francis SulemanuIdachaba Library, University of Agriculture Makurdi.
Surprisingly, the results indicated that 37.78% had received training on how to use Internet from external sources and nearly 45% of the respondents’ competency was rated average. A maximum number of users that is 87.41% admitted that digital libraries had a profound impact on their academic performances. However, more than half of the respondents used internet outside the University and surfed the internet for their research work and other educational purposes. Although most of the respondents are fully satisfied with the internet facilities, they at the same time feel that with consistent training and guidance, the efficiency in utilization of digital information can be increased.
Melvin Jebaraj C and Thirunavukkarasu.A. (2015)24did a study to analyze the information access pattern through e-resources by the faculty members and students of engineering colleges in Madurai district.
The results indicated that although a good proportion of the users are aware of online information sources, lack of knowledge on e-resources and inadequate facilities prevent the respondents in utilizing the e-resources effectively. Many users develop their e-resource skills through trial and error method, but most take the help of their friends and colleagues. Consequently, it is obvious that through prompt library service and support in collaboration with adequate training programmes, the demands of users in using e-resources can be met out.Murugan K (2015)25 presented a paper that investigated the utilization of e-resources by faculty members and students of Universal College of Engineering and Technology, Vallioor, Tirunelveli district. It was observed that the library is fully automated and houses a lot of national, international and e-journals and has DELNET membership with more than 600 online journals along with IEEE online journals. The survey was conducted among students and faculty members of the college. Interestingly, it is noted that most of the students and faculty members are aware of the availability of such online resources. The faculty members used e-resources to prepare for classes and on the other hand, the students used such resources to expand knowledge.
OlubankeMofoluwaso, BosedeAdebimpe and Aderonke O Otunla (2015)26 ventured to understand the use of electronic information resources by undergraduates of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The authors found that almost all the respondents have used e-resources and majority of them are frequent users. The students used search engines, e-books and e-lecture notes for obtaining study materials, completing their assignments and getting updates on the latest development in their respective fields.
However, the main points of access to online information were either their homes or hostels or the university’s e-learning centres. The authors highlighted that only few students use the library to gain access to e-resources, but are satisfied with the available resources. In order to improve the standard of e-resources and promote effective utilization of library’s service, the paper recommends incorporation of consortium. It not only improves the efficiency, but also enables to get data at a subsidized cost. It also suggests that the library staff get required training on e-resources so that effective mobilization of data according to the need of the individual user can be achieved.
Sumit Paul, Sur Chandra Singha and ShibojitChoudhary (2015)27assessed the use of electronic resources by library users at Assam University and thereby subsequently evaluate their level of satisfaction with the existing ICT infrastructure facilities available in the university library. The paper addressed the various challenges such as frequent power cuts, poor internet connectivity and lack of training on e-resources faced by the users while accessing online information sources. The university library users prefer both electronic and printed resources but only some draw the benefit of technology in obtaining information for academic and research purposes.
The article suggested that developing proper infrastructure, providing uninterrupted power supply, increasing internet speed, subscribing to more number of online journals, setting up more terminals, conducting user survey to check on their needs and the problem encountered by the users are different measures to provide optimum utilization of electronic information resources.Hira Tariq and MuhammdWaseem Zia (2014)28did a thorough examination to identify e use of Electronic Information Resources by the students of Faculty of Science, University of Karachi. The paper aimed to determine the frequency of utilization, major problems faced by users while using EIR, to study the purpose of use, to find out the advantages and disadvantages in using EIR, and to identify the preferred format by the user. The study was conducted with the help of questionnaire and analyzed by using simple statistical method. Findings reveal that the students are keen in using EIR as they enable to get adequate information for their class assignments and makes work easier. Nevertheless, there are aplenty impediments that hinder the students from using EIR effectively. The major setbacks are frequent power outage, slow network connection, proper training on the use of e-resources, subscription issues and viruses.
Some students even fear that using EIR will affect their computers with viruses and EIR is a mere time consuming task as there is nothing on it but a scattered data. They opine that EIR can never replace traditional resources. The paper concluded with the following recommendations: With the intervention of the Government of Pakistan, power cut issue can be resolved. It is in the hands of HEC to provide high speed network within university and finally it is indispensable that the University should increase the access points for the use of EIR within the University.A.D. Selvaraj and G.Rathinasabapathy (2014)29 in their ‘A Study on Electronic Information Use Pattern of Faculty Members of Self-Financing Engineering Colleges in Tiruvallur District, Tamilnadu’ aimed to comprehend the information use pattern by the faculty members of 16 engineering college libraries in the district.
The paper stated that the libraries of engineering colleges must be upgraded with sound digital infrastructure and aplenty e-resources to meet the rising demands of their faculty members.B. D. Kumbar, Miss. Anuradha G. Kotabagi and Mr.
Manohar B. Lamani (2014)30in’Use Pattern of Electronic Information Resources by the Research Scholars of Science Departments, Karnatak University, Dharwad’ recognized various types of electronic resources used by science research scholars in Karnatak University, Dharwad. The purposes and frequency of using electronic resources and the problems faced by the students while using them were identified.
Furthermore, proposals for better utilization of library sources and services were put forth.Felcy Lewis and T Y Mallaiah (2014)31 in ‘Use of information resources in engineering college libraries of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts: A comparative study’ showed that there were marked variations in the satisfaction level on the use of information resources among students, faculty members and research scholars. The inadequate availability of information resources in college libraries was highlighted and thereby stressing the need to improve library facilities, resources and services from time to time in order to meet the demands of the users.Velmurugan.C.
and Ramasamy (2014)32 in “Access Pattern of Online Journals among Library Users in Engineering College Central Libraries, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India: A Comparative Study” attempted to study the access pattern of library information resources with special reference to Online Journals by comparative study of user community between Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology (RIT) College and Siva Institute of Frontier Technology (SIFT) College. The paper discussed about many contributing factors to the use of online journals such as provision of easy access to e-journals, orientation and training programmes for library users, opinion of students about e- journals, use of search engines, problems faced by the students and faculty members and the level of satisfaction.Chandra.K,.
Sankaranarayanan,D,. Nagarajan.M and Mani.V (2014)33attempted toexamine the awareness of e-resources, experience level in using e-resources, time spent on e-resources, purpose of using e-resources, use of various online sources and the most preferred place for accessing e-resources by the faculty members of arts and science colleges in Chennai. The findings suggested that most of the academicians knew about the availability of various e-resources in their college libraries and more than fifty percent of the respondents spent nearly one to two hours per day in accessing e-resources.
It has been concluded that online resources are very useful in gaining knowledge for study and research purposes.H. Fakrudhin Ali Ahamed and V. Syamala (2014)34did an extensive research on the use of online resources in the libraries of Sri Vidyaniketan College of Engineering and Sreenivasa Institute of Technology and Management Studies.
It was found that the B. Tech students are expected to use online information to carry out their degree course and therefore, both the colleges have subscription to DELNET. The institutions are provided with ample computers, scanners and printers in their libraries. The students prefer IEEE and IEE platforms for accessing online journals.
However, it was understood that the utilization of e-resources can be made more effective by allowing students to use electronic and digital resources without imposing any rules and regulations at least during the working hours of Library. Additionally, it was concluded that by conducting orientation programmes to the students once in a semester will enhance the use of digital resources.Paulina Nana YaaKwafoa, Osman Imoro and Paulina Afful-Arthur (2014)35 using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16 assessed the use of electronic resources among administrators and faculty members in University of Cape Coast. The paper notes that e-resources are seen to be more helpful especially to distance learners and faculty members who may have limited access to library resources in conventional formats. The advent of ICT has transformed customary libraries into hybrid libraries where information and resources are found in humongous size both in printed and electronic formats.
The faculty members acknowledge that e-resources are not only a great source of help in doing research but in strengthening their teaching skills. Investigations revealed that despite the fact that the faculty members are aware and willing to utilize e-resources, the library has inadequate online databases. Furthermore, they were not aware of the library’s subscriptions to such academic
