The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati made voluminous efforts to provide better e-resources services to its users. This study is an attempt to examine and measure the extent and use of e-resources, information alert services, awareness towards the e-resources, purpose of using the e-resources, attitude of library staff and overall quality of e-services offered by the library of Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati. 394 survey based questionnaires were distributed and received from PG students, research scholars and faculty members of IIT-Guwahati which were analysed in this study. The findings show that e-journals are more popular than print journals; the library regularly invites users views regarding the information constraint; and the library continuously puts forward information alert services to their users. Most of the users are aware about the e-journals/database offered by the library concerned to their subject and also are able to explore the e-resources allied to their area of interest.

Keywords:   E-resources  user perception  INDEST-AICTE consortium  IIT-Guwahati

These days the service qualities of an institution are measured in terms of digital collections, e-resources, networking element, ICT tools, etc. Electronic information is the most recent development in information technology and is among the most powerful implement ever invented in human history¹. The library users’ satisfaction plays a crucial role in the enlargement and provisions of the library services. The potential users’ feedback regarding the library resources, services and facilities should be considered for providing necessary resources and amenities in the library. In particular, academic institutions need to measure the users’ satisfaction to maintain the quality in all the activities². The IIT-Guwahati witnessed remarkable change in collections, services and access to resources since the mid-1990s. Computers and computer applications have been widely initiated, and an integrated library system has been installed. The Library provides remote access to e-resources. In fact, the dawn of a new era in library services and access to resources has risen in IIT-Guwahati in harmony with the worldwide information revolution in academia³.

In the IIT-Guwahati library has made efforts to optimise the use of library resources including web-based e-resources. IIT-Guwahati has been acquiring a large number of web-based e-resources for its users. The Library now have access to over 12000 full-text e-journals, e-books, and databases which can be accessed by the users through library homepage both on and off-the-campus⁴.”

A number of relevant studies have been carried out on the user satisfaction of the e-resources.Thanuskodi⁵ executed a study on education faculty members in Chennai to determine the number of users who are aware and make use of e-resources and also examined the search pattern of e-journals. Mounissamy & Swaroop Rani⁶ in their study signify that 67 % of the researchers and 33 % of faculty members regularly access and utilise the e-journals for multiple purposes.The study furnishes some methods to make aware the users towards the e-resources. Sharma⁷ described that majority of the faculty members and research scholars are capable to access the e-resources without difficulty. The survey further reported that about half of total faculty members have taken training for the use of e-resources. Garg & Tamrakar⁸ studied Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee to view the efficiency of e-resources offered by INDEST-AICTE consortium. They found that majority of users preferred e-journals to fulfill their information needs. Bhat & Mudhol⁹ examined the awareness and use of e-resources by students available in the Medical Institute’s Library. The result shows that most of the users were aware about e-resources and they use them frequently, but less number of terminals, slow speed of internet and less number of e-resources were the elementary barriers of library services. Various suggestions were made to improve the service quality of the library.

Tunji, Abdulmumin & Adisa¹⁰ in their study revealed that the frequency of use of e-resources by faculty members was low. They pointed-out various problems such as; lack of awareness among users about e-resources offered by the library, slow internet speed, frequent power cut and inadequate searching skills, were the major problems in proper utilisation of library services. Simmonds & Andleer¹¹ in their research found that the academic library usage is mostly influenced by a users’ awareness and the various resources of the library. They suggested that library services might be improved by considering both factors, user’s awareness and various e-resources. The research executed by Fidzani¹² reflects that assistance to the patrons by the library staff is very significant in the utmost utilisation of services and a variety of library information resources of the library.

Sasireka¹³, et al., in their research found that e-journals are given high priority by the users, online journals are given first choice by deemed universities, IEL online is the most preferred e-journals followed by ASME and ASCE. Most of the institutions are subscribing e-resources through consortium approach. Ali¹⁴ studied about use of electronic information devices among the library users of IIT-Delhi. The study has been examined the awareness of e-resources, use of e-journals, advanced search facilities, users involvement with e-resources, the purpose of using e-information, difficulties faced by the users while accessing e-information, available infrastructure in the library and satisfaction level of the users.

Jotwani¹⁵ described the role of IITs in higher education and research covered about big range of e-resources and services offered by the IITs libraries to their users. Nisha & Ali¹⁶ in their research paper focused about use of e-journals by IIT-Delhi and Delhi University library users and result shows that e-resources offered by the libraries are much beneficial for the library users. Study illustrate various critical issues such as slow downloading speed, non-availability of specific issue of journal, lack of training, regarding e-services, etc. There is no study conducted so far in the IIT-Guwahati to measure the use e-resources and to assess factors that may influence further usage of e- resources and services. Moreover, the cited literature make known that the studies of use, user perception and user satisfaction with e-resources have been accomplished in the other analogous institutions. Therefore, a survey was deemed necessary to investigate the use of e-resources and services in the IIT-Guwahati library and to uncover the barriers that influence efficiency.

The basic objectives of the study are to:

(a) Study about preferred information sources by library users frequently.

(b) Ascertain whether library consider users’ views while selection of e-journals for library.

(c) Know about user’s awareness towards availability of e-resources.

(d) Find out the foremost purpose of using the e-resources.

(e) Examine the attitude of library staff towards users.

(f) Determine the overall quality of the e-services offered by the library.

To fulfill the stated objectives, questionnaires were randomly distributed for collecting the data from the PG students, research scholars and faculty members of the following 10 departments of IIT-Guwahati were distributed: (1) Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology; (2) Department of Chemical Engineering; (3) Department of Chemistry; (4) Department of Civil Engineering; (5) Department of Electrical Engineering; (6) Department of Computer Science and Engineering; (7) Department of Humanities and Social Sciences; (8) Department of Mathematics; (9) Department of Mechanical Engineering; and (10) Department of Physics.

For the purpose of this study overall 773 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the users, and 394 questionnaires were received back. 196 (51.57%) respondents were PG students, 116 (48.73 %) were research scholars and 82 (52.90 %) were faculty members. Data were collected from the aforesaid users, as well as personal interviews were also made with respondents and library in-charge to clarify the ambiguities (Appendix-1). Another questionnaire was sent to the librarian to get the additional required information on the topic. The data collected was scrutinised, classified and tabulated for better understanding and clarity. Published materials and website of the IIT-Guwahati library were also used to collect additional required information.

Table 1 shows that majority of respondents 157 (39.84 %) preferred e-journals to gratify their academic/research desires frequently, followed by 119 (30.20 %) who preferred print journals. On the other hand 72 (18.27 %) users consult the back volumes of the periodicals. 31 (7.86 %) respondents utilise other computerised databases. However, 15 (3.80 %) users opted to other information sources, like educational CDs, cassettes, e-books, etc. It is noticed that e-journals are the first choice of all the three categories of users than other sources.

The respondents were asked to specify, whether the library asks their views while subscripting of e-journals for the library. Table 2 shows that 88 (44.89 %) PG students, 62 (53.44 %) research scholars and 46 (56.09 %) faculty members responded ‘yes’ as the library repeatedly invites their views; while 23.60 % users reported that library do not ask about their information needs before selection of e-journals. Whereas, 26.64 % users, those occasionally visit the library were not be acquainted about any such type of act ensued by the library.

Table 3 reveals that the highest proportion of respondents 239 (59.39 %) specified that they are continuously getting alert services from the library about new information resources, training and orientation programmes of the library and about other similar kind of information to the library. However, 18.27 % respondents retorted that they are not getting regularly alert services from the library, whereas 22.23 % respondents have not given their views in this regard.

Table 4 shows that 59.89 % users are aware about availability of e-journals/database in library. Whereas, 40.10 % didn’t know about them.

Table 5 shows that 36.54 % users explore the e-resources for searching full text e-journals. Followed by 30.96 % to obtain abstract or specific-articles. 18.27 % use e-resources to acquire back files of e-journals. 14.21 % users utilise the e-resources to find bibliographic databases. It appears from the analysis that full text e-journals are highly desirable by all the three categories of the respondents.

Majority of the respondents (61.42 %) opined that library staff/volunteers are courteous; they are very supportive and assist them in locating particular source of information (Table 6).

Although, 16.24 % respondents feel that library staff/volunteers are impolite. 22.33 % respondents did not give their views.

One hundred eighty (45.68 %) respondents rate up the overall quality of e-services as very helpful while 28.93 % expressed ‘extreme helpful’, where as a small group of respondents (13.95 %) are not satisfied with the e-services offered by the library (Table 7).

According to the overall feedback received from the respondents, e-services offered by the library seems effective.

(a) 39.84 % preferred e-journals for their academic/research purpose followed by print journals and to seek the back volumes of periodicals.

(b) 7.86 % users utilise other computerised databases, such as, educational CDs, DVDs, off-line journals, etc.

(c) E-journals are given high preferences by all the three categories of the users.

(d) Print journals are still as popular as e-journals. Therefore, yet in this digitisation age, e-journals can’t absolutely replace the existing print version but both will complement each other.

(a) Before subscription of e-journals/databases by the library, 23.60 % respondents were not enquired on their information requirements.

(b) To involve users in collection development the library may consider other ways to obtained feedback from its users on e-resources and on potential new e-resources as well as opinion on existing e-resources.

(c) The library should also inform users about new e-resources and services as well as existing resources.

(d) Library should inquire potential information need of the users. Subsequent to consultation with faculty, liaisons, library staff and students, the coordinator of e-resources can solicit feedback and evaluate the product and its necessities based on the trial.

(a) 59.39 % respondents get regular information alert services from the library. 18.27 % respondents are not getting proper alert services from the library side.

(b) The library may offer users the facility to create research alert profiles so that automated keyword search and tables of contents alerts for journals could be sent regularly to an e-mail address generated by the user. For security point of view some special alert services might be limited to IIT-Guwahati faculty, student, and staff.

(c) To access alert services off campus, user may need to go through the library proxy server using the bookmark or by proxying URLs.

(d) The library may also send out alerts via RSS or web-feeds, for that users should have a simple software identify as feed reader, collectively the web feeds of their choice, permit them to browse fresh contents via, the reader, rather than having to visit different websites or go through various e-mails.

(a) 59.89 % respondents were aware about available e-journals/database in the library in their subject areas. A large group of respondents (40.10 %) were not aware. To enhance awareness, programmes should be organised to impart the facilities and benefits obtainable from e-format.

(b) More Information literacy and user education programmes could be organised by the library with prominence on information exploring skills.

(c) The consortium with the publishers should impart workshops and training programmes for patrons to makes better use of e-resources.

(d) IIT-Guwahati library may provide access to the recent table of contents of scholarly journals.

(a) Most of the respondents explore the e-resources to get full text e-journals, followed by using e-resources to obtain abstract or specific-articles and to acquire back files of e-journals, small group of respondents make use of the e-resources to find bibliographic databases.

(b) Most of the users of IIT-Guwahati are aware of e-journals and are using them for information, updating their knowledge, and for collecting significant material for their study and research purposes.

(a) Most of the library staff/volunteers of IIT-Guwahati are found courteous; they were very supportive and assist the users in locating specific resources.

(b) Services being offered by the IIT-Guwahati library staff seems effective but more perfection is still required.

(c) The library authority may arrange systematic training programs for staff members time to time to improve their professional expertise.

(a) 45.68 % opined that e-services offered by the library are ‘very helpful’ followed by ‘extreme helpful’ and ‘helpful’ but, 13.95 % respondents are not satisfied.

(b) E-services offered by the library have positive influence on the users’ academic efficiency through increased access to current information, ease research process as well as improve their professional competence.

(c) 75 % users of IIT-Guwahati agreed that the library offered an adequate range of e-resources and services, but also suggested to incorporate more e-resources and extensive services in future to enhance the utilisation of library services.

The library should have to institutionalise its performance assessment by customers approach. This might be done periodically to have a response from the users on how excellently the library is meeting their information necessities. The study has clearly indicated that the e-resources seem to be highly constructive for the research and academic community of IIT-Guwahati. Most users of the library preferred journals in both print as well as electronic format. Therefore, both versions should harmonise each other to meet the information desires of the users. Training of users is acknowledged as continuing challenge that requires new and more inventive approaches. It was found that most of the users are aware of e-journals and they are not only using them to update their knowledge but also to accumulate relevant material for their studies and research. The study also reveals that library staff is courteous and co-operative.The overall qualities of e-services offered by IIT-Guwahati library are found effective.

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Dr Amit Kumar Tamrakar is presently working as Librarian in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (M/HRD). He obtained his MA, MLIS and PhD from the Jiwaji University, Gwalior. He has published 15 research papers in National and International referred journals and conference proceedings. His areas of interest include: Library management, e-services,and user study.

Dr Ram Gopal Garg is presently working as Associate Professor in Jiwaji University, Gwalior. He obtained is MSc, MLIS and PhD from the H.S. Gaur University, Sagar and the Jiwaji University, Gwalior, respectively. He has published 65 research papers in referred journals and in the conferences. He has also published 4 books in LIS. He is research guide in Jiwaji University, Gwalior. His areas of interest include: Bibliometrics, library management, user services, and reference sources.