Provision of E-resources in Engineering College Libraries in India: A pilot study

Abstract

Libraries and information systems have been witnessing continuous transformation since the last two decades, particularly with regard to the collection of information resources and services. A spectrum of E-resources that have emerged during this time are chiefly responsible to this transformation and changed landscape of libraries in terms of collection development, storage and provisioning their access. It has created tremendous opportunities for librarians to be innovative in order to provide information services relevant to new situations and conditions like the discovery services. A study in this context was taken up to understand the efforts of librarians in travelling extra miles to accomplish the information needs of the generation z, also denoted as new millennial. The study presents the survey results obtained from 150 professionals from engineering college libraries in Karnataka, India. It describes the initiatives, taken by the librarians in e-resources collection building and efforts and work undertaken in providing access to e-Resources. It also examines barriers coming in the way of promoting the use of e-Resource services. Findings reveal that, majority of the librarians are providing digital library services in spite of lack of support from the management and also the diminishing demand of library users. The study concludes that the librarians of engineering colleges in Karnataka have been moderately successful in meeting the information needs of users efficiently and contextually observing the AICTE norms and guidelines in this regard.   Key words: E-resources, digital resources, digital library services, engineering colleges.