Use of ICT Based Services and Its Impact on Users in Some Selected Engineering College Libraries in Haryana

1. INTRODUCTION

We all know that use of information and communication technology (ICT) in library and information centres has become very common and access to digital information resources has raised a number of challenges for librarians. All this emphasis the need for new skill and abilities appropriate for digital information environment. Haryana is one of the promising state for strengthening the technical education. The engineering colleges of Haryana are in developing stage. It is a fact that the present engineering college libraries in Haryana urgently need of ICT to provide fast and reliable library and information services. Libraries are in isolated conditions and ICT application to facilitate information dissemination is in nascent stage. In the view of this the present study is an effort to know the status and prospects of ICT in engineering college libraries. This study has been proposed to cover 3 approved engineering college libraries in Haryana.

Sharma et. al. (2009) described that ICT in research libraries of Haryana all the libraries are well strengthen in ICT and are able to meet the requirements faced. NITK library expensed more on various resources rather than NDRI and NBAGR. The study showed that the trends of libraries have been diversified: these are giving more significance to various aspect of ICT such as internet, e-mail, online databases, online journals, e-books, e-thesis, online FAQ etc. In the ICT race coming time will not give a pause and it is an unavoidable tool in all kind of libraries to survive in the future. Haneefa K (2007) found that a good number of the users were not satisfied with the present application of ICT in their libraries and indicated that ‘inadequate ICT infrastructure’ as their reason for dissatisfaction. Large majority of the users agreed that there was a need for workshops/ orientation programs on the use of ICT based resources and services. Ramana and Rao (2003) reported in his study that Central University (CU) Libraries in India are currently at various stages of advancement in the use of information technology (IT). They present the results of a research study conducted in order to survey the use of IT in CU libraries. It covers computers and software packages used, computerized library operations. Development of databases, bibliographic standards used, computerized information services, level of participation in networks and computerized facilities offered to users etc.

• To know the ICT services provided by the engineering college libraries. • To identify the problems faced by library personnel in the utilization of ICT. • To know the ICT awareness among librarians of Engineering College of Haryana.

A survey method based on structured questionnaires was used for the study. Two questionnaires i.e. one for the Librarian and other for the Users were designed and administrated to collect the data. However, informal interviews were conducted with the Librarians whenever the need was felt.

The questionnaires were circulated to 3 Engineering College Libraries of Haryana and 150 questionnaires were received back from the users. The quantitative data collected were converted into machine-readable form and total percentage was calculated.

Table-2 shows that only 1 college library has the facilities of TV and FAX i.e. JMIT and SKIET respectively. Printer, Xerox and telephone facilities have all the libraries alongwith their e-mail/website. Two libraries have availability of Scanner i.e. JMIT and DVIET. It is analyzed from the table-2 that out of 3 engineering college libraries none has Slide/ LCD Projector facility with it.

Table-3 indicates how user seeks help from the staff by using the library services. It shows that CD-ROM database search facilities was available only in DVIET. DKIET and DVIET library users seek help in using reservation of documents. The users of all the 3 libraries seek help in using OPAC/ Web OPAC. As web browsing is a very common phenomenon but it was demanded by only the DVIET library users.

Table-4 shows that all the librarians have taken initiatives to automate their respective libraries. All the libraries have to adopt automation due to heavy workload, with the aim of quality improvement and the librarians think that automation reduces the repetition of the work. SKIET and DVIET librarians automate the library due to users’ pressure whereas JMIT librarian responded due to special grant provided.

There are a number of problems faced in implementation of ICT presented in table-5. Librarian of the DVIET faced the pre automation problems due to Lack of funds for rendering of ICT infrastructure and non-awareness of potential benefits of ICT.

• Lacks of modern ICT infrastructure in the libraries i.e. none of the engineering college libraries under study have the facility of LCD/ Slide Projector. • The users of all the 3 libraries seek help in using OPAC/ Web OPAC. • JMIT librarian responded that he took the initiative of library automation due to special grant provided.

• Modern ICT infrastructure should be made available to all the college libraries. • The manpower working at colleges needs proper orientation and knowledge up gradation from time to time to get familiar with latest developments in technology. Open source should be implemented. • Colleges must allocate certain amount of budget every year towards the updating and maintenance of infrastructure facilities.

1. Sharma, Chetan, Sharma, Ritu & Singh, Lakhpat. (2009). Information and communication technology (ICT) in research libraries of Haryana (India). Pearl-A Journal of Library and Information Science, 3(4), pp. 24-31. 2. Haneefa, Mohamed. (2007). Application of information and communication technologies in special libraries in Kerala (India). Library Review, 56(7), pp. 603-620. 3. Ramana, P Venkata and Rao,V Chandrasekhar. (2003). Use of information technology in central university libraries of India. DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 23 (2), pp. 25-42.

Research Scholar, Jiwaji University, Gwalior