Use of Web-based Services and Resources of Panjab University Library: A Case Study

Authors 1.Jatinder Kumar (Librarian) Apeejay Institute of Management, Jalandhar 2. Suman Sumi (Asstt. Librarian) A.C. Joshi Library, Panjab University, Chandigarh 3. Gagan Kaur Uppal (Asstt. Librarian) A.C. Joshi Library, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Abstract The present case study describes, analyze and evaluate the use of web-based services and resources of Panjab University Library (A.C. Joshi Library), Chandigarh. The current paper is covering three fields; 1) Information needs of Library Users, 2) Present infrastructure for providing Web-based services and resources, 3) Identification of barriers and problems in providing and accessing Web-based information. The case study compares the above-mentioned fields and shows the users behavioural intention of adopting and using Library Electronic Services and Resources (LESR). We designed a questionnaire and used it to survey a randomly selected sample of users of library electronic services and resources, and obtained 50 usable responses. After analyzing and evaluating the data, we measured the attitude of users towards the web-based services and resources of the Library. Overall, the case study examined that, there are many Web-based services and resources which are highly useful to the users but at the same time these need to be upgraded upto the expectations of the library users. The most striking finding for this case study was that some of the respondents were deterred from using library resources, apparently due to not having good computer educational background or because of lack of infrastructure facilities.

I. Introduction It is widely acknowledged that various advances in Information Technology have substantially changed our thinking and the way of working. The primary function of these advancements is to serve as Communication Bridge between information providers and the information users. Nowadays many Libraries and Information centers are using these information technologies at various levels for their teaching, learning and research programmes. These Libraries are also offering various web-based services e.g. online journals, E-books, online databases, online catalogues, and online reference services etc. The factors responsible for big boom in application of IT in Libraries and Information centers are; huge growth of information in different disciplines, rapid growth of computerized services, greater and varied user information needs, dramatic increase in online information and of course lower cost of computer hardware, software and communication services. The Information Technology has totally changed the entire concept of Library & Information centers, as accessing, holding and retrieving of information is done electronically. Today libraries have

revolutionized their users services, technical processing of data, and sharing of resources through technology. Same way library users can systematically access the information as they can plan, design, develop, research and evaluate their information needs. Moreover the application of Technology in libraries maintains better workflow & relationships among the library staff and users through automating their services and resources. Furthermore it has created an integrated environment for library staff and users, as there is better efficiency and higher reliability in information exchange and knowledge sharing. Besides advances in IT sector, the rapid grown of the World Wide Web (Internet) has produced abundance of information in every subject field. This has resulted faster & easy access of information from every corner of the world. And with the advancement of IT & Internet, the nations are getting closer, making this world as a global village, where we have got the opportunity to be a member and to live in this very well informed global village. The current paper is a Case Study of Panjab University, Library, graded as one of best university libraries in India, as it possess nearly 6,50,000 books, subscription of 700 print journals and magazines, Online journals and databases, much more literature in printed or electronic form. The library is using Techlib Plus library automation software to automate its services. It also has a library digital section, where computer systems are installed for students and faculty members. This section is providing various E-services and resources to the users, like; Internet, Online journals, Online Databases, Searching, Printing &, Scanning of document, etc. for their studies and research work. The paper aims to investigate various issues related to Panjab University Librarys Electronic services and resources and discuss various problems regarding users information needs, availability of resources and barriers coming between the information and users. The general purpose of this study is to find out some serious problems regarding librarys electronic services & resources and to develop such methods that can eradicate these problems and further increase the usefulness of these services and resources. Further, this study will be very useful for those libraries that want to start giving webbased services resources to their users. The paper is divided in to five major sections. Section 1 gives general introduction and coverage of the topic. Section 2 presents the review of literature and adoption of web-enabled services by libraries, based on which we proposed a model questionnaire for the users. The research methodology is discussed in Section 3, and section 4 presents the findings from the analysis of the empirical data. Section 5 concludes the paper with practical implications and further research direction. II. Literature Review and background Although there are abundance of studies aimed at understanding and evaluating libraries services and resources including users information needs in past, but a few of them are conducted on electronic services and resources and usefulness of digital library in highly educational environment. With the increasing number of college and universities offering digital library services or e-resources, it is necessary to study & examine users adoption for such services. Such study will be of interest to both libraries and their users. Specifically, this study investigates the individuals perception of making use of library electronic services and resources for fulfilling their information needs. The concept of the paper is to evaluate and to find the usefulness of librarys electronic services and resources, for the students and faculty and to identify the problem faced by the users while using online information. Although this concept is associated with educational and information needs of the library users, it has also been used as an investigator to find out management of digital library section of university library.

Kanamadi, Satish & Kumbar, B.D discusses the library portals and the web-based library services expected at management institutes in Mumbai City, Maharashtra State, India. The article explores the availability of institute website, importance and extent of the library details hosted on the institute website. This survey reveals that the lack of interest of users in library website is because of the inadequate and static information being made available on it. This case study also reveals about the services users expect to access through the Internet at their convenience. Deborah D. Blecic, et al. discusses the use of Web-based resources in relation to a disciplinary population, which provided an index of value for assessing use of a particular resource. Tannery, Nancy Hrinya, The study evaluates the use of Web-based library resources by third-year medical students. More than half of the students (69%) accessed the Website on a daily or weekly basis. Over 80% thought the Website was a valuable addition to their studies. Davis developed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). According to which users adoption of computerized system depends on their behavioural intention to use, which in turn depends on attitude, consisting of two beliefs, namely Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness? These two beliefs are fundamental determinants of any kind of system used in any organization. Digital libraries/Electronic libraries work as distribution channel for the delivery of information services and resources. From both academic and practical perspective, it is necessary to understand and assess the users needs to use librarys web-based electronic services. Specifically, we hypothesize that Intention to Use of web-based library services is influenced by Attitude, Usefulness, Ease of Use and to identify the barriers which discourage users to use such services. III. Objective of the Study The main objectives of the study to examine various parameters, which effect the Use of Web-based services & resources of Panjab University Library. We have discussed following objectives in the study: 1. 2. 3. 4. Usefulness of Web-based services and resources. Easiness of using Web-based services and resources. Assessing present infrastructural facilities for providing web-based services and resources. Identification of different barriers in accessing information by Web-based services and resources.

IV. Research Methodology We conducted a survey using the special framework as the foundation to determine the users attitude of making use of web-based services and resources. To collect data, we designed a questionnaire. The users were included university students, faculty members and research scholars. We obtained 50 usable responses from a randomly selected sample of 75 users. In this study, we used open and closed ended questions to investigate respondents attitude towards the use of LESR Keeping in view the objectives of the study, we devised 20-item questionnaire, divided into 5 parts. The first part obtains the general questions, the next 3 parts relate to user acceptance behaviour for web-based services and resources and the last part of the questionnaire shows the users attitude for not using library resources and useful suggestions.

V. Results and discussions Out of 50 usable responses, 4 users responded that they are not using library web-bases services and resources. The total response rate was 92%, which is good for statistical presentation of this study. A. General characteristics of the respondents The general characteristics of the respondents are analyzed and presented in Table 1. Of the 50 respondents, 54% were males and 46% were females; maximum respondents were found from the age group of 20-25 i.e.46%. In case of educational background, maximum number of respondents (50%) pursuing their master degree in different subject fields. Mainly the respondents were from Social Science background (48%). It also shows that maximum number of respondents is using Internet from last three years and more. Other general characteristics can be found in Table 1. Table 1. General Characteristics of Respondents. General Frequ Percentage Profile ency Sex F Female 23 46% M Male 27 54% Total 50 100% Age A 20-25 23 46% B 26-30 12 24% C 31-35 05 10% D 36-40 07 14% E 4103 06% above Total 50 100% Education A Master 25 50% B M.Phil 11 22% C Ph.D. 14 28% D Other 00 00% Total 50 100% Field of Study A Social. 24 48% Sciences B Science 12 24% & Tech. C Languag 02 04% es D Educatio 05 10% n E Science 03 06% F Medical 01 02%

G Frequency of Using Internet A B C D

Commer ce Total

03 50

06%

1 year 2 years 3 years Never Total

11 16 23 00 50

22% 32% 46% 00% 100%

B. Use of LESR. Table 2. shows the necessary parameters to determine the use of Web-based services and Resources of university library. The results shown in this table are quite normal and acceptable. Majority of respondents (92%) are using LESR. Only 4% respondents are not using these services. Table 2. Use of Web-based Services and Resources Using LESR Frequ Percentage ency A Yes 46 92% B No 04 08% Total 50 100% Table 3. shows that respondents main purpose of using LESR is for searching of particular information (93%) related with their subject fields & making class assignments (86%). Table 3. Purpose of using LESR Purpose of using Frequ LESR.* ency A Assignments 40 B Presentations 15 C Search 43 D Theses/Resea 18 rch *Multiple Choice Questions Percentage 86% 32% 93% 39%

C. Location, sources and resources Table 4. shows that for getting required information 60% respondents highly depended on LESR. Further 45% respondents are rely on library print material. Table.4 Location, sources and resources. Information seeking Frequ Percentage sources.* ency A Friends 12 26% B Internet 10 21% C Personal 02 4% Library D Teachers/Prof 13 28%

. C LESR 28 E Print material 21 *Multiple Choice Questions

60% 45%

Table 5. shows that 96% respondents use University main library for making use of LESR. Only 4% respondents prefer using departmental libraries. Table5.Location for using LESR Location for using Frequ LESR. ency A University 44 Main Library B Departmental 02 Library C Computer 00 Lab Total 46 Percentage 96% 4% 00% 100%

Table 6. presents the use of LESR by respondents. The maximum utilized resource of LESR is electronic catalogue (86%). And only 43% respondents are using online reference service. Table 6. Utilization of LESR Utilization of LESR.* Frequ ency A Electronic 40 Catalogue B E-Journals 28 C E-databases 25 D Online Ref. 20 Service E Other links 28 F Internet 38 * Multiple Choice Questions Percentage 86% 60% 54% 43% 60% 82%

D. Statements of Respondents Table 7. depicts the different statements given by the respondents based on their experience of using LESR. Majority of respondents 76% agreed that information they found is sensible & useful to them. And 43% respondents are not satisfied with infrastructural facilities. Table 7. Statements of the Respondents Statements regarding Frequ Percentage Information* ency A Sensible and 35 76% Useful B Correct & 30 65% authentic C Fast & easy 22 47% access D Ease to Use 25 54%

E F

Infrastructure 20 Satisfaction 30 level * Multiple Choice Questions

43% 65%

E. Discouraging factors to use LERS Table 8. indicates different factors which discourage respondents from using LESR. 64% respondents are not satisfied with Internet speed. 52% respondents think that there should be more professional staff and instructions. Only 4% respondents think Language as barrier for exploring information sources. Table 8. Discouraging factor to use LESR Discouraging Frequ Percentage Factors* ency A Uneasy 10 20% access B Language 04 08% Barrier C Irrelevant 06 12% information D Non-filtered 08 16% Information E Infrastructural 23 46% facilities F Insufficient 26 52% staff & instructions G Internet speed 32 64% * Multiple Choice Questions. V. Respondents comments & suggestions The respondents mentioned various comments and suggestions for the improvement of LESR. Some of them are given below: There should be high speed of Internet. Infrastructural facilities should be improved by adding more computers and labs. The time duration should be increased for accessing LESR. Professional & qualified staff should be appointed for helping in accessing the LESR. There should be more E-journals and online databases in specific subject fields. Option of multi-lingual web-based services. Conclusion The findings of this empirical study provide supports for the use of Library Web-based services and resources. It also represents the user attitude towards the adoption of these services. The study has identified some barriers in accessing the various information services and resources. The statistics of the tables indicate that maximum numbers of respondent are using library web-based services and resources. Further study shows that there is need of infrastructural and technological improvement for making a success of University LESR.

References: 1. Carol Tenopir and Eleanor Read, Patterns of Database Use in Academic Libraries: College& Research Libraries 61 (May 2000): 234-46. 2. Deborah D. Blecic, Joan B. Fiscella, and Stephen E.Wiberley, Jr., The Measurement of Use of Webbased Information Resources: An Early Look at Vendor-supplied Data. Available from http://web2.ala.org/ala /acrl/ acrlpubs/crljournal/backissues2001b/september01/blecic.pdf. 3. Gupta, S. (1996). Impact of information technology on library management techniques and staffing structure. In: Human Relations in Librarianship. Seminar Papers of XLI All India Conference held on January 7-10, 1996 in Vijayawada, 1996, pp. 336-343 4. Kanamadi, Satish & Kumbar, B.D.. Web-Based Services Expected from Libraries: A Case Study of Management Institutes in Mumbai City. Available on http://www. webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a26.html 5. Krishnamurthy, M., & Chan, W.S. (2005). Implementation of library portals for information resources: A case study of the Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore (ISIB). International Information and Library Review, 37(1), 45-50. 6. Tannery, Nancy Hrinya, Use of Web-based library resources by medical students in community and ambulatory settings. Available from http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/ articlerender.fcgi? artid=116403