Paper presented at SIS 2012 Conference held at NIT Silchar organised by Dr. K C Satpathy

1. A PRESENTATION ON
AVAILABILITY & ACCESS OF E-
RESOURCES IN ASSAM
UNIVERSITY, SILCHAR: A CASE STUDY
Prepared by –
Shibojit Choudhary Dr. Mukut Sarmah
MLISc Student & Assistant Professor
DLISC, AUS DLISc, AUS
29th Convention of SIS @ NIT Silchar
2012

2. Introduction
E-resources have occupied a significant place in academic as well as R
& D libraries. Traditionally, the collection of library resources includes
the printed documents (such as books, journals, etc.) which are
supplemented by audio and video cassettes. But the recent
developments in the field of ICT and the emergence Internet, WWW
have dramatically changed the whole scenario. Libraries now have
both printed as well as electronic resources in their collection. The
development of ICT, WWW and the emergence of e-resources also
affect the information seeking, information searching and retrieval.
The clientele of university libraries are nowadays more computer
literate and internet aware. They prefer the information resources in
electronic form and want remote and any time access to these
resources. This paper presents the results of the case study carried
out to understand the availability and access to e-resources in Assam
University.

3. E-Resources Available in Assam
University Library
Sl. No. Types of e-resources Total No.
1. CD-ROMs / DVD-ROMs (Books) 317
2. CD-ROMs / DVD-ROMs (Journals) 74
3. Audio Cassettes (French) 06
4. Audio Cassettes (Fine Arts) 39
5. Online Journal (Through UGC-Infonet) 5000+
6. Online Journal (Through DeLCON) 971

4. Objectives of the Study
To study the use of different types of e-resources by the
students, research scholars and teachers
To determine the frequency of using the electronic resources
by the users
To know the place from where users access the e-resources
To study the various purposes of using e-resources by the
users
To ascertain the problems faced by the library users in using
the e-resources
To draw opinions and suggestions from the users towards
improving the accessibility of the e-resources available in the
AUS Library

5. Methodology
The present study has been conducted using survey method.
Primarily, the questionnaire has been used as a data collection
tool along with observations and informal interviews.
The questionnaire consists of twenty questions which have been
designed keeping in view the objectives of the study.
A total of 150 questionnaires are distributed randomly to
students, research scholars and teachers of Assam University.
For the purpose of this study, other sources of information are
also consulted and data have been collected from the library
records, annual reports, and by visiting the websites of Assam
University Silchar (www.aus.ac.in), UGC-Infonet Digital Library
Consortium (www.inflibnet.ac.in), DELNET (www.delnet.nic.in) and
DeLCON (www.delcon.gov.in).

6. DATA ANALYSIS
&
FINDINGS

7. Responses Received from the Respondents
26%
Received
Not Recieved
74%
Questionnaires selected for the study
(N) = 111 – 3 = 108

8. Category and Gender wise
Distribution of Respondents
60
Percentage of Respondents
50 21.29
40
30 Female
13.89 Male
20 37.04
6.48
10 13.89
7.41
0
Student Research Scholar Teacher
Category

9. Comparison in Using Printed
and Electronic Resources
28%
Mainly Printed
Mainly Electronic
Equally Printed and
Electronic
11%
61%

10. Usage of Different Types of E-
Resources
44.44
45
36.11
40
Percentage of Responses
35
30
25
20
15
10
2.78 0 0
5 0
0
CDs DVDs Audios E-journals E-books Other
Types of e-resources

11. Frequency of Using E-Resources
16.67
24.07 Daily
13.89 Once in a week
Several times in a
5.56 week
25.93 Once in a month
5.56
8.33 Several times in a
month
Occasionally
No response

12. Places of Accessing E-Resources
47.22
Percentage of Responses
50
40
27.78
30 19.44
20
10 2.78
0
Library Computer Department Wi-Fi
Centre (LAN)
Places

13. Purposes of Using E-Resources
33.33
Percentage of Respondents
33.33 33.33
35
30
25 22.22
20 16.67
15
10
5
0
0
For For writing For For For Other
preparing papers projects seminars research purpose
notes work
Purposes

14. Preference of E-Resources over
Printed Resources
0.93 %
Yes
No
99.07 %

15. Reasons for Preference of E-Resources
70 69.44
60
52.78
Percentage of Respondents
50
40
33.33 36.11
30
27.78
25
20
10 0
0
Made it easier Reduced Improved the Made it easier Expanded the Made it easier Other reason
to find working time quality of work to keep up resources to get hold of
materials with the available the materials
developments
Reasons for Prefernce

16. Problems Faced in Using E-Resources
66.67
70
60
Percentage of Responses
50
40
27.78 30.56
30
20 13.89 11.11
10 0 0
0
Problem in Difficult to Lack of ICT Lack of Frequently Inadequate Other
internet read from Knowledge training power number of problems
connectivity screen failure computers
Problems

17. Suggestions & Recommendations
The infrastructure facilities should be enhanced for better utilization of
available e-resources.
Necessary arrangements should be made for uninterrupted power
supply so that user can access the e-resources without any difficulty.
The speed of Internet should to be increased for quick access to the
available e-resources.
Higher speeds Wi-Fi campus needs to be developed by AUS, so that
users can access online e-resources within the campus according to their
suitability.
The library should conduct feedback / users survey to know the need of
the users from time to time.
Networked printers must be provided in the central as well as in the
departmental libraries so that the users can take print-outs.
The Internet facility should be extended to the hostels and rooms of the
teachers.
More number of terminals with internet connection should be provided
in the departments.

18. Conclusion
The study reveals that there is a need to take necessary
steps for better utilization of e-resources available in the
Assam University Library. Number of journals provided
through the UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium and
DeLCON should be increased and to make use of all these
e-resources, awareness programme should be conducted.
The study revealed that there is a need to develop
infrastructure facilities for optimum use of available e-
resources.

19. THANK YOU