International Journal of Library

Science and Research (IJLSR)

ISSN(P): 2250-2351; ISSN(E): 2321-0079
Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 27-32
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

ROLE OF ICT BASED E-RESOURCES AND SERVICES

IN AN ENGINEERING COLLEGE LIBRARY: AN ANALYSIS
E. BOOPALAN1, I. SASIREKA2 & R. ARUMUGAM3
1

Research Scholar & Assistant University Librarian, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

2
3

Librarian, Lady Willington Institute of Advanced Study in Education, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Librarian, SRR Engineering College & Research Scholar, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT
This article examines the availability of various ICT based electronic resources and services in the library of
SSN Engineering College, Chennai. This study also analyzes the frequency and purpose of using e-resources among the
students. This study concludes that the library has a very good infrastructure for the successful implementation of ICT
and majority of the students are satisfied with the available e-resources and services.
KEYWORDS: ICT, E-Resources, Digital Library, ICT Tools, Library Services through ICT

INTRODUCTION
The innovation of Information and Communication Technology has rapidly changed the habitual services
in libraries of academic institutions. This tool has made possible the transition of print resources to electronic
format which can be accessed in an easier and faster way. Electronic resources and services play a vital role in

Original Article

Received: Apr 21, 2016; Accepted: May 05, 2016; Published: May 07, 2016; Paper Id.: IJLSRJUN201604

engineering college libraries as they provide an opportunity for the users to experience the new tools and
applications for seeking information.

Recent studies identified that engineering students are most attracted

towards online accessing of information because of the advantages of ICT. This important factor has converted
many libraries to progress towards ICT based e-resources and services.
Significance of the Study
The importance of the study relates to the usage of ICT based e-resources and services in engineering
college libraries. This study was made to identify the purpose and frequency of utilization of ICT based
e-resources and services among engineering college students, hence a study on students attitude towards
e-resources was considered a most imperative one.
Objectives
The main intention of this study is to analyze the role of Information and Communication Technology
based e-resources and services in engineering college libraries in Tamil Nadu. This analysis was conducted to
assess the usage of e-resources and services by the students. Therefore, it is an attempt to hammer-out possible
solutions for maximising the use of e-resources. The objectives are listed below:

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E. Boopalan, I. Sasireka & R. Arumugam

Find the various e-resources and services available in SSN Engineering College.

Evaluate the users frequency of using e-resources and services available in the library.

Determine the purpose for which the students are utilizing e-resources.

Investigate the level of satisfaction of the respondents.

Analyze the ICT facilities provided in the library.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study focused on the students of Engineering College in Chennai. This analysis is restricted to only one
engineering Colleges in Chennai. As a sample study, respondents from SSN Engineering College were considered for
analysis.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Halima Sadia Egberongbe (2011) in her survey found that the uses of e-resources are very common among the
Lecturers and research scholars of University of Lagos. The study also showed that majority of teachers and research
scholars are dependent on e-resources to get desired information.
Sunil Mansur (2012) describes the various changes that have occurred due to technological developments. It
stated the ways in which these developments have affected the academic environment in engineering college libraries..
Obuh Alex Ozoemelem (2009) in his investigation revealed that Postgraduate Students of Library School in Delta
State need to improve on their ICT skills to experience benefits available in electronic formats. There was high level of
usage of electronic resources among both male and female gender.
Rajender Kumar (2016) found that the satisfaction level was less among PG and UG students on usage of
e-resources. The study revealed that maximum medical students felt e-resources are more informative. It also showed that
the frequency of usage by undergraduate students on e-resources was more than the postgraduate students.
S. Sundareswari (2013) stated in her study that E-resources are creating a revolution in engineering college
libraries. It was found the selection of resources is still crucial for libraries & Knowledge centres.
Md. Maidul Islam and Umme Habiba (2015) in their study described that students and faculty members are
generally satisfied with the current level of internet and e-resources. They identified the major constraints that affect
e-resources use in a private university.

METHODOLOGY
A well framed questionnaire method was adopted for collecting data from the students. A total of 250
questionnaires were randomly distributed among the students out of which 220 questionnaires were found usable for
analysis. The collected data was analyzed and depicted with tables and charts.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Role of ICT Based E-Resources and Services in an

Engineering College Library: An Analysis

29

Data Analysis and Interpretation

Table 1: Position-Wise Distribution of the Respondents
Respondents
UG Students
PG Students
Total

Number
136
84
220

Percentage
61.8%
38.2%
100%

Table 1 represents that out of 220 respondents majority of the students were UG with 61.8% and 38.2% of them
were PG students.
Table 2: Satisfaction Level of the Respondents on the E-Resources Provided by the Library
Respondents
UG Students
PG Students

Very Satisfied
22(16.17%)
30(35.7%)

Satisfied
100(73.5%)
48(57.1%)

Unsure
12(8.82%)
6(7.1%)

Dissatisfied
2(1.4%)
0(0%)

Very Dissatisfied
0(0%)
0(0%)

Total
136(100%)
84(100%)

Table 2 represents that majority of 100(73.5%) of UG students and 48(57.1%) of PG students were satisfied with
the available e-resources in library. It also shows that 16.17% of UG students and 35.7% of PG students were highly
satisfied. The findings also reveal that a minimum of 1.4% of UG students were dissatisfied and none of the students were
very dissatisfied. This shows that the college has provided a very good infra for the students to avail the necessary
facilities.

Figure 1: Represents the Satisfaction Level of Users

Table 3: Frequency of Using Various ICT Based Resources and Services
Services
e-books
e-journals
e-thesis &dissertation
Citation databases
OPAC
CD/DVD resources
e-learning resources
Course materials
Faculties & Students Publ.
NPTEL

Always
21.8%
23.6%
10%
6.4%
13.6%
5.5%
44.5%
40%
21.8%
16.4%

Often
46.4%
27.3%
14.5%
15.5%
35.5%
24.5%
30%
39.1%
22.7%
32.7%

Occasionally
26.4%
21.8%
28.25%
20.9%
21.8%
24.5%
14.5%
14.5%
28.2%
34.5%

Rarely
5.5%
21.8%
19.1%
30%
17.3%
24.5%
9.1%
6.4%
22.7%
11.8%

Never
0%
5.5%
28.2%
27.3%
11.8%
20.9%
1.8%
0%
4.5%
4.5%

Table 3 shows that the majority of the students 46.4% prefer to use e-books often and the second highest
preference was e-learning resources with 44.5% and which they wished to use always. 40% of students preferred to use
course materials always. From the above findings it is notable that all the students showed interest in using e-books and
course materials. Students were less preferred to use E-thesis and dissertation and citation databases as 28.2% and 27.3%

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E. Boopalan, I. Sasireka & R. Arumugam

of students have never used this respectively. It is significant that only the familiar e-resources are preferably used by the
students and rest of the services such ase-journals, OPAC, CD/DVD resources, Faculties and Students Publication, NPTEL
are comparatively less used. This depicts that the students access maximum information from e-books and e-learning
resources.

Figure 2: Showing the Frequency of Using E-Resources and Services

Table 4: Purpose for Using E-Resources and Services
Purpose
Subject-based Access
Academic Assignments
Current Information
Update Knowledge
Entertainment

Rank
1
32.7%
10%
31.8%
20.9%
3.6%

Rank 2

Rank 3

Rank 4

Rank 5

Mean

19.1%
32.7%
33.6%
11.8%
3.6%

22.7%
31.8%
15.5%
24.5%
7.3%

19.1%
16.4%
16.4%
35.5%
12.7%

6.4%
9.1%
2.7%
7.3%
72.7%

1.294
1.108
1.148
1.267
1.027

Table 4 reveals that majority of the students use e-resources and services for subject-based access with a highest
mean of 1.294% and secondly to update knowledge with a mean of 1.267%. Students use these resources also for getting
current information and carrying out academic assignments which is ranked third and fourth respectively with a mean of
1.148% and 1.108%. From the figure 4, it is clearly evident that the students use these resources for entertainment only to a
lesser extent when compared to learning.

Figure 3: Illustrates the Purpose of Using E-Resources and Services

Table 5: Users View on the Various ICT Facilities
Facilities
Library Networks
Library Website/Blog
Library Consortium
Use of Web OPAC
E-books

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Excellent
22.5%
17.3%
9.1%
11.8%
28.2%

Very Good
50%
36.4%
47.3%
45.5%
26.4%

Good
20%
33.6%
35.5%
30.9%
34.5%

Fair
3.6%
12.7%
8.2%
10%
10.9%

Poor
0.9%
0%
0%
1.8%
0%

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Role of ICT Based E-Resources and Services in an

Engineering College Library: An Analysis

E- journals
Electronic Thesis and
Dissertation
Digital Library
Library Automation
Reprography Facilities

31

Table 5: Contd.,
22.7%
30%

30%

17.3%

0%

8.2%

34.5%

36.4%

15.5%

5.5%

30%
28.2%
11.8%

41.8%
37.3%
39.1%

20.9%
29.1%
30%

7.3%
4.5%
11.8%

0%
0.9%
7.3%

Table 5 shows that maximum number of students 50% has graded the facility of Library Networks as very good
and Library Website/Blog, Consortium, and Digital Library were graded as very good by 47.3%, 45.5%, and 41.8%
respectively. Study reveals that 30% of students felt Digital library facility as excellent and it is also evident that Library
automation and E-books were considered excellent by 28.2% of students. It was found that the Reprography facility has to
be improved as 7.3% of students have graded it poor. A minimal amount of students have graded some facilities such as
Library Networks, OPAC, E-thesis, and Library automation as poor with a percentage of 0.9, 1.8, 5.5, and 0.9 respectively.
It is noted that all the students are satisfied with the facility provided by Library website, Consortium, e-books, e-journals
and Digital library. From the above findings it is significant that majority of the students have graded the library facilities
of e-resources and services as very good.

Figure 4: Shows the Grading Percentage of Various ICT Based E-Resources and Service Facilities

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This study revealed that the use of ICT based e-resources and services are very frequent among the students of
SSN Engineering College. It also showed that majority of students utilize this facility in library to access the essential
information. The respondents are very much satisfied with the e-resources provided in their library and they also showed
more interest in acquiring information through these resources and services.
In addition, it is significant that the infrastructure provided by the college was adequate with Wi-Fi facility
throughout the campus and the availability of ICT based resources and services were almost sufficient to meet the
requirements of users. Few suggestions are made to enhance the effectiveness of usage of e-resources and services in the
library of SSN Engineering College, Chennai.

User training program on e-resources can be conducted in the library to motivate the non-users to experience its
advantage and transform them as potential users.

Create awareness among the users on the various Electronic resources which was apparently less used by them.

Add more high-configuration computers for easier access of information as suggested by most of the users.

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E. Boopalan, I. Sasireka & R. Arumugam

If these suggestions are carried out, it may help the students of SSN Engineering College to get highly benefited
and help in widespread of the information through ICT.
REFERENCES
1.

Rajender Kumar, 2016 Use of E-resources by the Medical Students of M.M. University, Ambala: A Case Study, DESIDOC
Journal of Library & Information Technology, Vol. 36, No.1, pp. 10-16

2.

Sunil Mansur, 2012 E-Resources Collection Development in Engineering College Libraries: A Challenge for Knowledge
Centre Managers, International Journal of Digital Library Services, Vol.2, Jan-Mar, pp.166-177

3.

Sundareswari, S. 2013 Role of E-Resources in the Engineering College Libraries, International Journal of Advanced Research
in Computer Science and Software Engineering, Vol.3, No.2, Feb, pp.415-419

4.

Obuh Alex Ozoemelem, 2009 Use of Electronic Resources by Postgraduate Students of the Department of Library and
Information Science of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, Library Philosophy and Practice

5.

Halima Sadia Egberongbe 2011 The Use and Impact of Electronic Resources at the University of Lagos, Library Philosophy
and Practice

6.

Md. Maidul Islam and Umme Habiba, 2015, Using Pattern of Internet and E-resources by the Students and Faculty Members
of a Private University in Bangladesh, American Journal of Educational Research, Vol.3, No.5, 541-546

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1