A Study On Electronic Sources in Selected Engineering College Libraries in Acharya Nagarjuna University Area, Andhra Pradesh

DOI:
REDDY 53
& 10.5958/0976-2469.2017.00005.7
REDDY
LIBRARY HERALD
Vol 55 No 1
March 2017
A Study on Electronic Sources in Selected

Engineering College Libraries in Acharya
Nagarjuna University Area, Andhra Pradesh
HARI PRASAD REDDY*
DR V. PULLA REDDY**
Analysis of data collected from the librarians of seven selected engineering college
librarians in Acharya Nagarjuna University area, Andhra Pradesh and 1300 users of
Downloaded From IP - 210.212.129.125 on dated 24-Apr-2017
the above librarians selected by random method using questionnaire reveals many
findings with regard to adequacy of e-sources their utilization, their maintenance,
the satisfaction of users with them, use of Internet facility and problems in using
Members Copy, Not for Commercial Sale
electronic sources. A few significant differences were found between the responses of
www.IndianJournals.com
students and faculty members of engineering colleges with regard to the various
aspects of electronic sources. Finally a number of recommendations have been made
to improve electronic sources in engineering college libraries.
Keywords: E-Sources, Engineering College libraries, Acharya Nagarjuna University,

Andhra Pradesh.
1 INTRODUCTION
Engineers invent most of the things that make up the present modern
civilization. Roads, bridges, dams, computers, automobiles, airplanes,
telephones, cell phones, Internet and thousands of other items are the results
of investigation of them. Engineers have been important to ancient and
modern civilizations. Today they are more important than ever. They play a
key role in socio-economic development of any nation including India.
Engineers find out the solutions to the practical problems of the society. In
India, Engineering education is imparted at various levels namely
craftsmanship, diploma, degree, post-graduate and research in specialized
fields. Engineering graduates today require not only adequate technological
ability and problem solving skills, but also soft skills. They must also
* (Rtd), Librarian, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Ongole campus, Ongole – 523001.

Andhra Pradesh, India. Email: reddyharsith@gmail.com.
** Department of Library and Information Science, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi
– 517502, India. Email : pullareddyv@gmail.com.
Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

54 STUDY ON ELECTRONIC SOURCES
possess deep commitment to safety, reliability, quality and sustainability of

all engineering activities in which they take part. Engineering institutions
have now a new responsibility to provide opportunities to every student to
acquire these abilities and skills. Quality education in engineering enables
to acquire the above abilities and skills by engineering graduates. In the
absence of quality education, many of the engineering graduates are unable
to get suitable jobs for their qualifications and success in the competitive
examinations, and to obtain high positions in their professional career in
India.
To provide quality education to the students of engineering, the
engineering colleges, institutions and universities should have well
qualified and experienced faculty, adequate laboratories, ICT facilities,
well established library, physical facilities and good management. Among
them, libraries play a key role in the provision of quality education in
engineering and their contribution in this regard is intangible.

Information is knowledge, facts or data, which can be used, transferred

or communicated. It plays a key role in economic, social, educational and

cultural realms of the society. It is very important in transforming society
speedily and it is a vital resource and input in the overall development and
growth of a country. Information is an important asset for raising the
standard of living. The provision of information at the right time to the right
person helps in minimizing wastage of resources and avoids duplication of
research work. The supply of accurate and reliable information at the right
time to the students and faculty members of engineering institutions helps
to produce quality research and to obtain quality education and training.
The libraries and information centres are playing a vital role in
providing the required information to the users of engineering. Libraries
earlier with their various kinds of print information sources such as books,
journals, conference proceedings, pamphlets, standards, patents, etc, were
providing information services to their users. But due to the developments
in Information and Communication Technology, the new type of
documents came into existence in libraries in addition to the already
existing print documents. The information in these types of documents is
stored in digital form. They are known as electronic sources or electronic
information sources or electronic resources or e-documents. The users of
libraries require computer systems and Internet connection to use these
sources.
The various categories of e-sources are e-books, e-journals, online full
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 55
text databases, online bibliographical databases, e-theses and dissertation,

web OPAC, e-magazines, e-news, etc. These are available either as CDs,
DVDs, CD-ROMs and blue ray discs or online sources. These e-sources are
facilitating information storage, processing and retrieval much faster than
the traditional print documents. As a substantial amount of knowledge in
various disciplines is published in these documents, libraries are forced to
procure these sources by spending a substantial amount to provide
exhaustive and up-to-date information to the users. Hence, e-sources
became part and parcel of the total library collection. The users have to use
these sources for getting exhaustive and up-to-date information on their
subjects concerned. During this transition period, the libraries are facing
problems in their acquisition, processing, maintenance, and retrieval due to
lack of adequate ICT skills among the library staff. At the same time, the
users are also unable to utilize e-sources fully due to lack of awareness and
inadequate skills to access them. It is the responsibility of the librarians to

put these sources to maximum use so that they can justify the expenditure
made on e-sources. It is also their responsibility to design a need-based

acquisition policy and to develop a balanced collection in the prevailing

environment of increasing demands from the user community, diminishing
budgetary provisions and increasing costs of documents so that the
information needs of users are met satisfactorily. In this context, there is
need to examine the present status of e-sources in libraries by conducting a
study / survey on these newly emerged sources with regard to their
acquisition, processing, lending, maintenance, adequacy, and utilization;
the problems faced by users in handling these sources; and their awareness
and satisfaction with these sources so that necessary remedies can be found
out for efficient and effective management and utilization of e-sources.
Hence the present study entitled ‘A study on electronic sources in selected
engineering college libraries in Acharya Nagarjuna University area,
Andhra Pradesh has been undertaken.
2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main purpose of the study is to examine the present status of
electronic sources in selected engineering college libraries in Acharya
Nagarjuna University area. The following are the specific objectives of the
study:
(a) To examine the acquisition, processing, maintenance, and lending
provision of electronic sources in the selected engineering college
libraries of Acharya Nagarjuna University area;

(b) To assess electronic sources and equipment in these engineering

college libraries in terms of their sufficiency;
(c) To know the views of users with regard to availability and utilization of
e-sources;
(d) To assess the use of Internet, and the problems faced by the users in
using electronic sources;
(e) To examine the user education programme pertaining to handling of
electronic sources, and publicity of these sources; and
(f) To make suggestions based on the findings of the study for effective
usage of electronic sources in engineering college libraries.
21 ACHARYA NAGARJUNA UNIVERSITY AREA
Acharya Nagarjuna University was established in the year 1976. The

jurisdiction is restricted to two districts viz, Guntur and Prakasam districts
since 2008.
22 METHODOLOGY
Among the various research methods available in Library and
Information Science, survey method of research has been used in the
present study.
23 SELECTION OF COLLEGE LIBRARIES
The total number of engineering colleges in the jurisdiction of Acharya
Nagarjuna University area i.e. in Guntur and Prakasam districts of Andhra
Pradesh was 62 in 2010. Out of them, seven colleges which are old and have
good infrastructure were selected. They are Library of Baptla Engineering
College, Baptla (BECB), Library of RVR and JC College of Engineering
(RVJC), Library of Narasaraopet Engineering College (NSPE), Library of
Chundi Ranganayakulu Engineering College (CHND), Library of VRS and
YNR College of Engineering (VYCC), library of saint gorge institute of
technology (SGIT) and Library of Quality Infrastructure and Sophisticated
Institute (QIS). First four colleges among them are from Guntur district and
the last three colleges are from Prakasam district. The electronic sources in
the libraries attached to these colleges were studied.
24 SAMPLE SELECTION OF USERS
The users of the engineering college libraries are students and faculty
members. The total number of students and faculty members of selected
engineering colleges are 11,560 and 480 respectively. In other words, the
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 57
total number of users of these college libraries is 12,040. Due to constraints

of time, money and efforts involved, a total of 1300 users were selected out
of 12,040 using stratified random sampling method. Out of 1,300 users
selected, 1,156 are students and 144 are faculty members. While selecting
sample, the entire population is divided into various strata according to
college and category of users. From each stratum, sample is selected by
simple random method. Ten percent of students and 30% of faculty
members were selected as sample. The details are given in Table-2.1.
25 DATA COLLECTION
Two questionnaires were designed (one for librarians and another for
users) in simple English language. The questionnaire intended for
TABLE-2.1
Distribution of users in population and in sample according to their category and college
S. No. Name of USERS

the College In population Total In sample Total

Students Faculty Students Faculty
1 BECB 2760 97 2857 276 29 305

2 RVJC 2560 95 2655 256 28 284
3 NSPE 1720 63 1783 172 19 191
4 CHND 1080 65 1145 108 19 127
5 VYCC 960 69 1029 96 21 117
6 SGIT 1280 49 1329 128 15 143
7 QIS 1200 42 1242 120 13 133
Total 11560 480 12040 1156 144 1300
librarian’s aims at eliciting data about the background information of the

library, acquisition, processing, maintenance, lending provision and
budgetary provision of electronic sources, electronic equipment, Internet
facility and suggestions for the improvement of the library.
The second questionnaire meant for users (faculty members and
students) aims at eliciting data on usefulness of electronic sources of
information in learning, teaching and research, availability and adequacy of
various types of electronic sources, cataloguing and maintenance of these
sources, utilization of different electronic sources of information, visit to
other libraries for getting electronic sources of information, satisfaction

with electronic sources, use of Internet facility, problems in using electronic

sources of information in Engineering college libraries and suggestions for
improvement of their respective libraries. A pilot study was conducted on 2
librarians and 50 users (30 students and 20 faculty members). Necessary
modifications were made in the questionnaires. Two modified
questionnaires were put to use in the collection of data. Copies of respective
questionnaires were distributed to the librarians, and faculty members and
students personally. The filled in questionnaires were collected from them
by giving sufficient time. The doubts raised by the respondents were
clarified by the investigator. Every effort was made by the investigators to
get reliable data from respondents.
3 REVIEW OF LITERATURE
The significant studies that were conducted on the topic of research
were reviewed in the following paragraphs.

Praveena and others1 surveyed the research scholars of Faculty of
Sciences, Annnamalai University, with regard to their use of e-resources

using a questionnaire. Vishala and Bhandi2 conducted a survey on faculty

members and research scholars of nine universities of Karnataka, using a
comprehensive and well designed questionnaire to examine the advantages
and disadvantages of e-journals as perceived by them. Krishna and
Adwani3 conducted a study on 188 students and staff of Mody Institute of
Technology and Sciences in Jaipur, Rajasthan, to know the impact of digital
information access on reading habits. They collected data from the students
and staff using a questionnaire. Sinha4 conducted a study on faculty of
Assam University, using a questionnaire. Sanjeev Kumar and Sharma5
conducted a study on 1300 PG students and faculty members of Punjab
Agriculture University to examine the use of electronic sources, using a
questionnaire. Sankaranarayana and Nagarajan6 conducted a survey on 730
faculty members of Agriculture College of Tamil Nadu, using a
questionnaire to examine the use of e-resources. Sarasvathy and Giddaiah7
examined the use of Internet in the library of University of Mysore, by
collecting information from 88 users, using a questionnaire. Sharma and
Sharma8 made a study to examine the perceptions and preferences of e-
resources among the faculty members of National Institute of Technology,
using a questionnaire. Kaur9 conducted a study on research scholars and
faculty members of University of Punjab, Chandigarh to examine the use of
e-journals. Madhuri10 conducted a study on the use of Internet by collecting
data from 100 UG students of University of Dhaka, using a questionnaire.
Mina and Ramesh11 conducted a study on UG and PG medical students of
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 59
JSS Medical College of Mysore to examine the utilization of e-information

resources, using a questionnaire. Ravi and Isthari12 conducted a study on
PG students and research scholars in IGM library, University of Hyderabad,
to asses the use of Internet services by using a questionnaire.
Kinengyere’s13 survey reveals that the available e-resources in selected
academic and research institutions in Uganda have not been utilized at all.
Shuling14 conducted a study on the current use of electronic resources in
University Library at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology.
Franklin and Pulm15 presented results from web-based surveys of more
than 15,000 users of networked electronic services at four academic health
science libraries and two large main campus libraries in USA. Idayat16
conducted a study on 912 faculty members in three Nigerian Universities, to
examine the use of print and electronic resources by agricultural science
students in Nigerian Universities, using a questionnaire. Nafiz Zaman and
Rowshon17 conducted a study on 480 students of Faculty of Arts,

University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to know the usage of Internet, using a
questionnaire.
4 FINDINGS
The following are the findings drawn from the analysis of the data
collected from the librarians and users.
1. Majority of the librarians (71.4%) replied that there is a separate
allocation of budget for procuring electronic sources.
2. Most of them (80%) replied that the budget allotted is sufficient to meet
their requirements with regard to electronic sources.
3. Most of them (85.7%) replied that there is a separate committee for
selection of electronic sources.
4. Most of them (85.7%) replied that their libraries have a digital library.
5. Majority of them (57.1%) replied that they procure electronic sources
through publishers.
6. Majority of them (57.1%) did not face any problem in acquiring
electronic sources.
7. Majority of them (71.4%) replied that they maintain a separate
accession register for electronic sources.
8. More number of CD-ROMs and DVDs are available in engineering
college libraries compared to other types of electronic sources.
9. All engineering college librarians replied that floppies are not sufficient

in their libraries.
10. All the librarians replied that fax machines and barcode scanners are
not sufficient in their libraries.
11. Majority of the librarians (71.4%) replied that they classify electronic
sources in their libraries.
12. Most of them (80%) replied that they did not face any problem in
classifying electronic sources.
13. Majority of them (57.1%) replied that they are preparing a catalogue for
electronic sources.
14. Majority of them (75%) replied that they are preparing computerised
form of catalogue.
15. Majority of them (57.1%) replied that they have a separate section for
collection of electronic sources.

16. Most of them (85.7%) replied that their libraries have a trained assistant
for organizing/handling electronic sources.

17. Majority of them (57.1%) replied that their libraries have no provision
for lending electronic sources.
18. Majority of them (71.4%) replied that they are providing orientation
programme in the use of electronic sources.
19. A high percentage of the librarians (40%) replied that library handouts
are used for orientation in the use of electronic sources.
20. Most of the librarians (85.7%) replied that they are providing assistance
when the users require in the handling of electronic sources.
21. Majority of them (71.4%) replied that they are publicising the
electronic sources.
22. A high percentage of librarians (40%) replied that their libraries are
publicising the electronic sources by arranging guided tours.
23. Majority of the librarians (71.4%) replied that the major hindrance for
better utilization of electronic sources in their libraries is ‘no alternative
power supply facility when electricity fails’.
24. Majority of them (57.1%) replied that there is an increase in the use of
electronic sources in their libraries.
25. A high percentage of librarians (42.8%) replied that they are satisfied
with electronic sources available to meet the requirements of their users
in their libraries.
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 61
26. Majority of the librarians (71.4%) replied that they are utilizing the
services of qualified person for regular and proper maintenance of
equipment in their libraries.
27. Most of them (85.7%) replied that they are verifying the stock of
electronic sources.
28. Majority of them (66.7%) replied that they are following computerised
database for stock verification of electronic sources.
29. Majority of them (57.1%) replied that they did not justify the
expenditure incurred for the acquisition and maintenance of electronic
sources.
41 FINDINGS FROM THE ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED FROM
USERS
The following are the findings obtained from the analysis of data
collected from users of engineering college libraries.

411 Frequency of Visit

A high percentage of respondents (43.3%) are visiting the library twice/

thrice in a week. There is a significant difference between the faculty
members and students with regard to frequency of visiting the library. That
means students are visiting the library more frequently compared to the
faculty members.
412 Use of Print And Electronic Sources
1. Over a third of the respondents (36.8 %) are using print materials from
41 - 60%. There is no significant difference between the faculty
members and students with regard to the extent of using print materials.
2. A high percentage of the respondents (38 %) are using electronic
sources from 61 - 80%. There is no significant difference between the
faculty members and students with regard to the extent of using
electronic sources.
413 Usefulness of e-sources
Majority of the users (77.7%) replied that the electronic resources are
useful for their curriculum needs. There is no significant difference
between the faculty members and students with regard to the usefulness of
electronic resources.
414 Adequate of E-Sources
1. Majority of the users (73.5%) mentioned that the e-journals are

adequate for their needs. There is no significant difference between the

faculty members and students with regard to the adequacy of electronic
journals.
2 Nearly half of the respondents (51.3%) replied that the e-abstracting
and indexing periodicals are adequate for their needs. There is a
significant difference between the faculty members and students with
regard to the adequacy of e-abstracting and indexing periodicals. More
number of the students asserted that e-abstracting and indexing
periodicals are adequate for their needs compared to the faculty
members.
3 Majority of the users (58.3%) mentioned that the e-reference sources
are adequate for their needs. There is a significant difference between
the faculty members and students with regard to the adequacy of e-
reference sources, in the sense that more number of the faculty

members affirmed that the e-reference sources are more adequate for
their needs compared to the students.

4 Majority of them (75.8%) mentioned that the e-theses and dissertations

are adequate for their needs. There is a significant difference between
the faculty members and students with regard to the adequacy of e-
theses and dissertations. More number of students said that e-theses and
dissertations are adequate for their needs compared to the faculty
members. The faculty members require e-theses/dissertations for their
research work. As the available e-theses/dissertations in their
respective libraries are not meeting the requirements of faculty
members, a high percentage of them replied that these electronic
sources are inadequate for their needs compared to the students.
5 Majority of them (54.5%) mentioned that the e-books are adequate for
their needs. There is no significant difference between the faculty
members and students with regard to the adequacy of e-books.
6 Most of the users (97.3%) mentioned that they are interested in using
electronic sources. There is no significant difference between the
faculty members and students with regard to their interest in using
electronic sources.
7 Three-fourths of users (75.9%), who are interested in using e-sources,
are consulting frequently electronic resources frequently. There is no
significant difference between the faculty members and students with
regard to their frequency of consulting electronic sources.
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 63
8 Over a fourth of users (28.6%) mentioned that non-availability of

required e-sources as the reason for their lack of interest in using
electronic sources.
415 Catalogue
1. Most of the users (83.7%) replied that their libraries are preparing
catalogue for electronic sources. There is a significant difference
between the faculty members and students with regard to preparation of
catalogue by their libraries. That means more number of the students
felt that their libraries are preparing catalogue for electronic sources
compared to the faculty members.
2. Majority of them (69.6%) mentioned that their libraries are using
computerized form of catalogue. There is a significant difference
between the faculty members and students in their responses with
regard to physical form of catalogue used by their libraries.

3. Most of them (87.1%) mentioned that the existing form of catalogue is
convenient to them. There is no significant difference between the

faculty members and students in their replies with regard to the
convenience of exiting from of catalogue.
4. Most of them (92.9%) felt that the existing form of library catalogue
should be changed to some other form. There is a significant difference
between the faculty members and students in their replies with regard to
changing the existing form of library catalogue to some other form.
5. Majority of the users (79.9%) replied that the information provided in
catalogue entries is sufficient. There is a significant difference between
the faculty members and students with regard to sufficiency of
information provided in catalogue entries. More number of students
asserted the sufficiency of information provided in catalogue entries
compared to the faculty members.
6. Majority of them (75.6%) replied that they are facing difficulties in
consulting the catalogue. There is no significant difference between the
faculty members and students with regard to difficulties faced in
consulting the library catalogue.
416 Maintenance of e-sources
1. Majority of the users (69.2%) mentioned that there is separate section
for electronic sources in their libraries. There is a significant difference
regard to possessing of separate section for electronic sources by their

libraries. That means more number of the students felt that their
libraries have a separate section for electronic sources compared to the
faculty members.
2. Majority of the users (59.4%) mentioned that it is necessary to have a
separate section for electronic sources. There is no significant
difference between the faculty members and students in their responses
with regard to the necessity of a separate section for electronic sources.
That means more number of students felt the necessity of a separate
section for electronic sources compared to the faculty members.
3. Most of the users (87.4%) mentioned that a skilled person is to be
appointed to look after the electronic sources. There is no significant
difference between the faculty members and students in their replies
with regard to the appointment of skilled person to look after the
electronic sources.
417 Availability And Utilization Of E-Sources
1. Nearly three-fourths of the users (78.5%) have mentioned that the

floppies are not available in their libraries. Here there is a significant
with regard to availability of floppies. More number of faculty
members replied that the floppies are available in their libraries
compared to the students.
2. Most of the users (90.8%) mentioned that the floppies are never utilized
by them. There is no significant difference between the faculty
members and the students in their responses with regard to the
utilization of floppies.
3. About one-third of the users (66%) mentioned that the audio CDs are
available in their libraries. There is no significant difference between
the faculty members and students in their responses with regard to
availability of audio CDs in their libraries.
4. A high percentage of users (42.3%) mentioned that the audio CDs are
mostly utilized by them. There is a significant difference between the
faculty members and students with regard to utilization of audio CDs.
That means the faculty members are utilizing audio CDs more
5. Majority of them (69.2%) mentioned that the CD-ROMs are available
in their libraries. There is a significant difference between the faculty
members and students in their responses with regard to the availability
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 65
of CD-ROMs. That means more number of students confirmed the

availability of CD-ROMs compared to the faculty members.
6. Majority of them (54.5%) mentioned that the CD-ROMs are mostly
utilized by them. There is no significant difference between the faculty
members and students in their responses with regard to utilization of
CD-ROMs.
7. More than half of the users (52.7%) mentioned that the DVDs are
available in their libraries. There is no significant difference between
the faculty members and students in their responses with regard to the
availability of DVDs.
8. Nearly half of them (54.5%) mentioned that the DVDs are mostly
utilized by them. There is no significant difference between the faculty
members and students in their responses with regard to utilization of
DVDs.
418 Availability of E-Equipment
The majority of users replied that sound recorders (85.9%), computers

(85.4%), fax machines (60.9%), printers (78.5%) and scanners (51.8%) are
available in their respective libraries. The majority of them also replied that
handy cams (88.9%), LCD projectors (84%), bar code scanners (68.9%)
and bar code printers (64.9) are not available in their respective libraries.
419 Lending Provision
1. Majority of the users (62.9%) mentioned that there is no provision for
lending of electronic sources in their libraries. There is no significant
with regard to the lending of electronic sources in their libraries.
2. Most of them (94.4%) are satisfied with lending procedure of electronic
sources in their respective libraries. There is no significant difference
regard to satisfaction with the lending procedure of electronic sources
in their libraries.
3. Most of them (95.2%) replied that they require the provision of lending
electronic sources in their libraries. There is no significant difference
regard to the making a provision for lending of electronic sources in
their libraries.
4. Nearly half of them (51.4%) replied that their libraries are publicising
about electronic sources by arranging exhibitions. There is a significant

with regard to the methods used in publicising electronic sources in
their libraries.
4110 Guidance / Library Orientation
1. Most of the users (84.7%) mentioned that they received guidance/
library orientation in handling of electronic sources. There is a
significant difference between the faculty members and students in
their responses with regard to getting of guidance/library orientation in
handling of electronic sources. That means more number of students
affirmed that they received guidance/library orientation in handling of
electronic sources compared to the faculty members.
2. Nearly half of the users (48.6%) mentioned that library guides are used
for orientation in handling of electronic sources. There is no significant

with regard to the methods used for orientation in handling of electronic
sources.
3. Most of the users (84.7%) replied that orientation programme is required

in the use of electronic sources. There is a significant difference between
the faculty members and students in their responses with regard to the
requirement of orientation programme in the use of e-sources in their
respective libraries.
4. A high percentage of the users (39.2%) mentioned that the library tour
method is suitable for giving orientation in handling electronic sources.
There is a significant difference between the faculty members and
students in their responses with regard to suitable method for
orientation of e-sources in their respective libraries. That means more
number of students felt that library tour is a suitable method, where as
more number of faculty members expressed that provision of library
guides is a suitable method for orientation of e-sources.
4111 Requirement of Assistance
Most of the users (94%) replied that assistance is required from library
staff to make optimum use of the e-sources. There is no significant
with regard to requirement of assistance from the library staff to make
optimum use of the e-sources.
4112 Visit to other Libraries
Most of the users (97.9%) replied that they did not visit libraries other
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 67
than their respective libraries for consulting electronic sources. There is no

significant difference between the faculty members and students in their
responses with regard to visit to other libraries for consulting electronic
sources.
4113 Problems Facing In Using E-Sources
1. Most of the users (92.1%) replied that they faced problems in using
electronic sources. There is a significant difference between the faculty
and students in their responses with regard to facing of problems in
using electronic sources in their libraries. That means more number of
students expressed that they faced problems in using e-sources in their
libraries compared to the faculty members.
2. A high percentage of them (40.8%) mentioned that they faced the
problem of electrical power cuts and non air-conditioning of the library.
There is no significant difference between the faculty and students in

their responses with regard to type of problems they are facing in using
electronic sources.
4114 Satisfaction With E-Sources

Majority of the users (59%) are satisfied with arrangement of electronic
sources. There is significant difference between the faculty and students in
their responses with regard to their satisfaction with the arrangement of
electronic sources. That means more number of faculty members expressed
that they are satisfied with arrangement of electronic sources compared to
the students.
4115 Maintenance of E-Sources
Majority of the users (59.2%) are satisfied with the maintenance of
electronic sources. There is a significant difference between the faculty and
students in their responses with regard to their satisfaction with the
maintenance of electronic sources. That means more number of faculty
members said that they are satisfied with the maintenance of e-sources
4116 Use of Internet
1. Most of the users (98.7%) replied that they are using Internet. There is no
significant difference between the faculty and students in their
responses with regard to using of Internet.
2. Most of the users (97.5%) replied that their libraries have Internet
facility. There is no significant difference between the faculty and

students in their responses with regard to having Internet facility in

their libraries.
3. Most of them (97.4%) replied that they are utilizing Internet facility in
their libraries. There is no significant difference between the faculty
and students in their responses with regard to utilizing Internet facility
in their libraries.
4. Most of them (94.6%) replied that their colleges have Internet facility at
the departments in addition to libraries. There is no significant
difference between the faculty and students in their responses with
regard to the Internet facility at the departments of their colleges in
addition to library.
5. Most of them (98.7%) replied that they are utilizing Internet facility in
their colleges (other than in their libraries). There is no significant
difference between the faculty and students in their responses with

regard to utilizing Internet facility in their colleges (other than in their
libraries).
6. Most of them (99%) replied that their colleges have a Wi-Fi facility.
7. Nearly half of them (50.6%) replied that they are using Internet usually
in their college libraries. There is a significant difference between the
faculty and students in their responses with regard to using Internet
usually.
4117 Cconvenience of print and e-sources
1. Nearly half of the users (50.9%) replied that print materials are highly
convenient to use. There is a significant difference between the faculty
and students in their responses with regard to the level of convenience
in using print materials. That means more students f8lt that print
materials are more convenient to use compared to the faculty members.
2. Majority of them (59.7%) replied that electronic sources are highly
convenient to use. There is a significant difference between the faculty
and students in their responses with regard to the level of convenience
in using electronic sources. That means more students opined that
electronic sources are more convenient to use compared to the faculty
members.
4118 Satisfaction with print and e-sources
1. nearly half of the users (50.7%) mentioned that they are highly satisfied
with print sources available in their libraries for their requirements.
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 69
There is a significant difference between the faculty and students in

their satisfaction with print sources available in their libraries for their
requirements. That means more students expressed satisfaction with
print sources for their requirements compared to the faculty members.
2. Majority of them (61.3%) mentioned that they are highly satisfied with
electronic sources available in their libraries for their requirements.
There is a significant difference between the faculty and students in
their satisfaction with electronic sources available in their libraries for
their requirements. That means more students expressed satisfaction
with electronic sources compared to the faculty members.
5 RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations have been made based on the findings
of the study:
51 FREQUENCY OF VISIT
The analysis shows that nearly one-fourth of the users (24.1%) are not
visiting the library frequently. Hence, a number of measures are to be

undertaken to increase the frequency of visiting the library by the users, so
that every document can get its user and finally the use of the library can be
maximized. The faculty members should motivate and encourage the
students to go to the library for getting the required information for their
courses of study, preparing assignments and completion of project reports.
Awareness is to be created among the users about the availability of e-
sources in the libraries. They should be given training to develop necessary
skills to get required information from e-sources.
52 TECHNICAL PROCESSING OF E-SOURCES
The study shows that one-fourth of the engineering college librarians
(25%) replied that they are not classifying e-sources in their libraries.
Hence, the library authorities should take necessary measures to classify the
e-sources according to a standard scheme of classification such as DDC,
CC, etc.It is found that 16.3% of engineering college librarians are not
preparing catalogue for the e-sources of their libraries. It is also found that
20.1% of them are facing the problem of insufficiency of information in
catalogue entries. Hence the electronic sources should be catalogued
according to a standard catalogue code with sufficient information in
catalogue entries. The catalogue enables the users to know the availability
of electronic sources and their location easily. It is found that 25% of
engineering college librarians are using card form of library catalogue. It is

suggested that the card form of the catalogue is to be changed to

computerized form for easy retrieval of e-sources. As the majority of users
of engineering college libraries (75.6%) are facing difficulty in using e-
catalogue. They should be trained properly in making use of e-catalogue.
53 MAINTENANCE OF E-SOURCES
The study shows that a high percentage of users (41%) are dissatisfied
with the arrangement of electronic sources. Hence, the library authorities
should take necessary steps to arrange electronic sources in a systematic
way. The study shows that 14.3% of libraries are not carrying out the stock
verification of e-sources. Hence, stock verification is to be carried out in
these libraries by choosing appropriate stock verification method. About
one-fourth of the users (26.2%) replied that there is no separate section for
electronic sources in their respective libraries. Among these users, the
majority (59.4%) felt that there is need to have a separate section for
electronic sources in their libraries. Hence, the library authorities should
take necessary steps to create a separate section for electronic sources in

their libraries.
54 BUDGET FOR E-SOURCES
The study shows that more than one-fourth of libraries (28.5%) are not
allotting separate budget for e-sources. It also shows that one-fourth of the
librarians (20%) replied that the budget allotted to e-sources is not
sufficient to meet the requirements of users. It is better to have separate
budget for procuring e-sources. Hence, the authorities should take
necessary steps to provide adequate separate budget for procuring e-sources
if feasible to meet the requirements of users.
55 JUSTIFICATION OF E-SOURCES’ EXPENDITURE
The study shows that the majority of librarians (57.1%) are unable to
justify the expenditure incurred for the acquisition and maintenance of e-
sources. It may be due to underutilization of e-sources. Hence, there is need
to increase the use of e-sources by creating awareness among them and
conducting user education programmes.
56 FREQUENCY OF CONSULTING E-SOURCES
The study shows that 24.1% if users are consulting e-sources either
occasionally or rarely. The reasons for their infrequent use are non-
availability of required e-sources; not knowing the operations of e-sources;
unavailability of e-sources; difficulty to locate; and unaware of the relevant
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 71
e-sources. Hence, there is need to increase the frequency of consulting e-

sources.
57 UTILIZATION OF E-SOURCES
The study shows that about one-fifth of users (22.3%) are not utilizing
electronic sources. It also shows that audio CDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs are
either rarely used are never used by 57.7%, 45.5% and 45.5% of users
respectively. It may be due to their unawareness and insufficient skills to
handle these e-sources. Hence, there is need to increase the utilization of
electronic sources. The library authorities concerned should take necessary
steps to increase the utilization of these sources by conducting publicity
programmes about e-sources to create awareness among the users. The
authorities also should take necessary steps to conduct user education
programmes to develop necessary skills among the users for obtaining the
required information from e-sources.

58 SUFFICIENCY OF E-SOURCES AND EQUIPMENT
The study also shows that a significant percentage of users replied that
e-journals (22.5%), e-abstracting and indexing periodicals (35.7%), e-
references sources (28%), e-theses and dissertations (19.7%) and e-books
(29.8%), are inadequate for their needs. Hence, the library authorities
should take necessary steps to select the required electronic sources,
procure them and make them available in their respective libraries. The
study also shows that e-equipment namely computers, sound recorders,
handy cams, bar code printers, LCD projectors and Scanners are not
sufficient in 42.9%, 28.6%, 57.1%, 57.1%, 71.1%, 14.3% and 14.3% of
engineering college libraries respectively. The study also shows that
computers, fax machines, printers, handy cams, LCD projects, sound
recorder, bare code scanners, bar code printers and scanners are not
available according to 14.6%, 39.1%, 21.5%. 88.9%, 84%, 68.9%, 64.9%
and 35.7% of users respectively in their respective libraries. Hence, the
authorities concerned should take the necessary measures to procure
adequate e-equipment by assessing the requirements of their respective
users, and the libraries.
59 INTERNET FACILITY AND USE
All the engineering colleges have Internet facility. However 42.9% of
the engineering college librarians replied that the available computer
systems in their libraries are not sufficient to meet the requirement of the
users. Hence, adequate number of computer systems are to be procured
after assessing the requirements of users, and examining the prescribed
standards pertaining to them. The study shows that 13.7% of users are using
Internet hub due to inaccessibility of Internet at college library and college.
Hence, there is necessity to extend the working hours of college library and
computer laboratory, with adequate number of computer systems.
510 LENDING, PRINTING AND COPYING SERVICES
The study shows that there is no provision for lending of electronic
sources according to the majority of users (62.9%) in their respective
libraries. Out of these users, most of them (95.2%) replied that they require
the provision of lending e-sources in their libraries. The majority of the
librarians (57.1%) replied that there is no provision for lending of e-sources
in their respective libraries. Hence, provision should be made by the library
authorities for lending of electronic sources if it is feasible by choosing
good charging system. The library authorities should provide the facility for
the users for printing the downloaded matter from Internet by providing
adequate number of printers in their respective libraries. They should also
provide the facility for copying the downloaded matter from Internet into
the pen drives and CDs / DVDs of users if the matter is needed by them.
511 CONVENIENCE AND SATISFACTION
The study shows that 12% of the users felt that electronic sources are
neither convenient nor inconvenient. Hence, research is to be carried out by
the authorities concerned on making e-sources more convenient to use so
that the users can feel happy while using them. A few users are neither
satisfied nor dissatisfied with the availability of print sources (14.2%) and
electronic sources (9.8%). Hence the library authorities should provide
necessary print and electronic sources by assessing the requirements of
users, so that they feel happy and satisfied with these sources.
512 USAGE PROBLEMS OF E-JOURNALS
A high percentage of users (40.8%) reported that they are facing the
problem of electrical power cuts. According to the majority of engineering
college librarians (71.4%), ‘lack of alternative power supply facility when
electricity fails’ is one of the hindrances for better utilization of e-sources.
Hence, the authorities concerned should take necessary steps for continuous
power supply either by installing power generators or power recharge
systems in their respective libraries. A high percentage of users (40.8%)
reported that they are facing the problem due to ‘non air-conditioning of
their libraries’. It is necessary to air-condition the libraries for functioning
of computer systems properly and for their longer duration. The users also
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 73
can use the resources of the library for longer hours if the library is air-
conditioned. Hence the authorities concerned should take necessary steps to
air-condition their libraries if feasible. According to 57.1% of the librarians,
one of the hindrances for better utilization of e-sources is due to ‘lack of
awareness among the users about the e-sources’. Hence, the library
authorities should create awareness among the users about the e-sources.
They can use various appropriate publicity methods to create awareness
among the user community about e-sources. According to 42.8% of
engineering college librarians, one of the hindrances for better utilization of
e-sources is ‘not having equipment in good condition’. The library
authorities should take necessary steps to appoint trained persons or to
provide necessary training to already existing persons so that they can look
after the equipment well by keeping the e-equipment in good condition. The
skilled staff can maintain e-sources properly. They can take necessary steps
for repairing the equipment if necessary.

513 PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES
The study shows that 28.6% of engineering college libraries are not
publicising e-sources. A significant percentage of users (38.7%) replied
that their libraries are not publicising e-sources. The methods expressed by
the users for publicity of e-sources are, arranging exhibitions (51.4%),
arranging guided tours in library (30.1%), displaying periodic list of new
arrivals (11.9%) and circulating the lists of new arrivals (6.4%). Hence, the
library authorities should take necessary steps to publicise the e-sources by
adopting suitable methods expressed by the users to create awareness
among the users about e-sources.
514 USER EDUCATION / ORIENTATION PROGAMMES
A few users (15.3%) replied that their libraries are not providing user
education / orientation programme in the use of e-sources. In 28.6% of
libraries, the user education / orientation programme in the use of e-sources
is not provided as per the replies of librarians. As per the study, most of the
engineering users (84.7%) require orientation in the use of e-sources. The
methods expressed by the users for orientation of e-sources are: lecture
(35.1%), library tour (39.2%) and library guides (25.7%). Hence, library
authorities should take necessary steps to provide user education /
orientation programme in use of e-sources by adopting suitable methods.
During user education / orientation programme, the users are to be
taught about the importance of information, the role of e-sources for
providing exhaustive and up-to-date information in satisfying their

information needs, the various types of e-sources such as e-books, e-

journals, e-theses, online bibliographical databases, etc, available in their
respective engineering college libraries and search techniques used to
retrieve information from e-sources. The users should be informed about
photocopying service, and printing and copying facilities for downloaded
articles/information form Internet available in their libraries. The users
should be made as information literates by imparting the necessary skills in
them.
515 DEVELOPMENT OF ICT SKILLS
The study shows that the majority of the users (87.4%) felt that a skilled
person is to be appointed to look after e-sources. In 14.3% of libraries, the
library staff are not providing assistance in handling of e-sources whenever
the users require such kind of assistance. One of the hindrances for the
better utilization of e-sources is due to lack of trained persons in the library

according to 42.8% of engineering college librarians. The library
authorities should take necessary steps to appoint skilled persons to look

after the e-sources so that they can provide better assistance in handling of
e-sources whenever the users require. The persons, who are at present
looking after the e-sources and are lacking skills to handle the e-sources
properly, should be given training in the handling of e-sources in their
respective libraries or they should be deputed to the other institutions where
they can get such kind of training. They should also be deputed for attending
seminars / conferences / workshops on the topics pertaining to e-sources.
The trained persons can impart information skills to the users in the
utilization of the e-sources or assist the users in a better way in the handling
of e-sources. They can take necessary measures for proper care and
maintenance of e-sources and e-equipment.
516 OPEN ACCESS BOOKS AND JOURNALS
They are a number of e-books and e-journals freely available on
Internet. The engineering college librarians should download all the
relevant e-books and e-journals useful to the users of their respective
libraries in consultation with the faculty members and make them available
for viewing offline. The librarians should prepare a bibliographical
database of these sources for locating them easily by users.
517 CONSORTIUM JOURNALS
The engineering college libraries can join any consortium of their
choice for sharing the benefits if offers in terms of highly discounted rates
LIBRARY HERALD
REDDY & REDDY 75
with regard to subscription of e-journals and better terms of agreement with

the publishers. The engineering college libraries have joined either
INDEST-AICTE Consortium or DELNET consortium. In other words, the
engineering college libraries have access to either INDEST-AICTE
Consortium journals or DELNET consortium journals. The investigator
feels that these journals are not utilized to the full extent by the users of
engineering college libraries. Hence the college library authorities should
take necessary steps to create awareness among the users about these
journals.
518 PROMOTION OF ICT INFRASTRUCTURE
AICTE Government of Andhra Pradesh, Government of India,
Engineering Universities, UGC, and Industries should take initiative to
promote ICT infrastructure and services in engineering libraries so that the
libraries can provide exhaustive and accurate information to the users of

engineering so that they can compete well with others in the competitive
examinations and in securing good positions in their professional career.

REFERENCES
1 PRAVEENA (SM) and others. (2009). E-resources usage among the research
scholars in the faculty of science, Annamalai University: A study. Library progress
(International). 29 : 15-19. Print.
2 VISHALA (BK) and BHANDI (M) (2009). Advantages and disadvantages of e-
journals as perceived by the academicians of universities of Karnataka: a survey.
SRELS journals of information management. 46 : 229-238. Print.
3 KRISHNA (KM) and ADWANI (N) (2010). “Digital information access and its
impact on reading habits of users. SRELS journal of information management. 47:289-
295. Print.
4 SINHA (Manoj) and KUMAR (S) (2010). Internet awareness and Internet usage
pattern amongst university and college teachers of north eastern region of India: a
study. Library progress (International). 1: 61-82. Print.
5 SANKARANARAYANA (D) and NAGARAJAN (M) (2010). Usage of digital
resources by the faculty of agriculture colleges in Tamil Nadu: a study. Library
progress (International). 30 : 269-279. Print.
6 SARASVATHY (P) and GIDDAIAH (D) (2010). Internet and its use in university
library Mysore: a case study. SRELS journals of information management. 47: 321-
324. Print.
7 SHARMA (CH) and SHARMA (R) (2010). Perception and preferences of e-
resources among faculty members of National Institute of Technology (NIT)
Kurukshetra. SRELS journal of information management., 47: 297-305. Print.

8 KAUR (A) (2011). Impact of e-journals on university library of Punjab,

Chandigarh: a study. SRELS journal of information management. 48 : 265-279. Print.
9 MADHURI (V) (2011). Gender differences in the usage and attitudes towards the
Internet among students. Pearl.. 5 : 54-57. Print.
10 MINA (T) and (G) (2011).Utilization of e-information resources in medical
colleges: a case study. SRELS journal of information management. 48 : 281-288. Print.
11 RAVI (B) and ISTHARI (B)., 2011. Use of Internet services in IGM Library,
University of Hyderabad: A study. SRELS journal of information management. 48 :
181-188. Print.
12 BEARD (J) and others.(2007). The impact of e-resources at Bournemouth
University 2004/2006. Performance measurement and metrics. 8 : 7-17. Print.
13 KINENGYERE (AA) (2007). The effect of information literacy on the utilization of
electronic information resources in selected academic and research institutes in
Uganda. The electronic library. 25: 328-341. Print.
14 SHULING (W) (2007). Investigation and analysis of current use of electronic

resources in university libraries. Library management. 28 :72-88. Print.

15 FRANKLINE (B) and PLUM (T) (2008). Library usage patterns in the electronic
information environment. Information research. 9 :187-191. Print.
16 IDAYAT (OA) (2009). Use of print and: electronic resources by agricultural
science students in Nigerian Universities. Library and information science research.
32 :62-65. Print.
17 AHMED (SM) and others.(1997). Computerization of libraries in Bangladesh.
Malaysian Journal of library and information sciences. 2 :37-43. Print.
18 NAFIZ ZAMAN (S) and ROWSHON (A) (2011). Internet usage by the students of
faculty of arts, University Library of Dhaka (Bangaladesh). Pearl. 5:14-22. Print.
LIBRARY HERALD

A Study On Electronic Sources in Selected Engineering College Libraries in Acharya Nagarjuna University Area, Andhra Pradesh

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

A Study On Electronic Sources in Selected Engineering College Libraries in Acharya Nagarjuna University Area, Andhra Pradesh

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

DOI:

A Study on Electronic Sources in Selected

Keywords: E-Sources, Engineering College libraries, Acharya Nagarjuna University,

* (Rtd), Librarian, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Ongole campus, Ongole – 523001.

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

possess deep commitment to safety, reliability, quality and sustainability of

engineering and their contribution in this regard is intangible.

Information is knowledge, facts or data, which can be used, transferred

or communicated. It plays a key role in economic, social, educational and

text databases, online bibliographical databases, e-theses and dissertation,

inadequate skills to access them. It is the responsibility of the librarians to

made on e-sources. It is also their responsibility to design a need-based

acquisition policy and to develop a balanced collection in the prevailing

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

(b) To assess electronic sources and equipment in these engineering

Acharya Nagarjuna University was established in the year 1976. The

total number of users of these college libraries is 12,040. Due to constraints

S. No. Name of USERS

the College In population Total In sample Total

Students Faculty Students Faculty

1 BECB 2760 97 2857 276 29 305

librarian’s aims at eliciting data about the background information of the

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

with electronic sources, use of Internet facility, problems in using electronic

were reviewed in the following paragraphs.

Sciences, Annnamalai University, with regard to their use of e-resources

using a questionnaire. Vishala and Bhandi2 conducted a survey on faculty

JSS Medical College of Mysore to examine the utilization of e-information

Rowshon17 conducted a study on 480 students of Faculty of Arts,

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

collection of electronic sources.

for organizing/handling electronic sources.

collected from users of engineering college libraries.

411 Frequency of Visit

A high percentage of respondents (43.3%) are visiting the library twice/

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

adequate for their needs. There is no significant difference between the

reference sources, in the sense that more number of the faculty

their needs compared to the students.

4 Majority of them (75.8%) mentioned that the e-theses and dissertations

8 Over a fourth of users (28.6%) mentioned that non-availability of

regard to physical form of catalogue used by their libraries.

convenient to them. There is no significant difference between the

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

1. Nearly three-fourths of the users (78.5%) have mentioned that the

of CD-ROMs. That means more number of students confirmed the

The majority of users replied that sound recorders (85.9%), computers

difference between the faculty members and students in their responses

difference between the faculty members and students in their responses

3. Most of the users (84.7%) replied that orientation programme is required

than their respective libraries for consulting electronic sources. There is no

There is no significant difference between the faculty and students in

4114 Satisfaction With E-Sources

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

students in their responses with regard to having Internet facility in

difference between the faculty and students in their responses with

There is a significant difference between the faculty and students in

visiting the library frequently. Hence, a number of measures are to be

Vol 55 No 1, March 2017

suggested that the card form of the catalogue is to be changed to

take necessary steps to create a separate section for electronic sources in

e-sources. Hence, there is need to increase the frequency of consulting e-