TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– This purpose of this paper is to present the current state and use of the web by university libraries in India and to examine the web‐based library services offered by some university libraries in different sections via their websites with the help of web‐based library automation software.Design/methodology/approach– A survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire circulated personally among university librarians and the response rate was 100 percent. The responses received from the respondents to 22 questions are presented in the form of tables and figures and analyzed using a simple method of percentages.Findings– The findings show that many of the surveyed university libraries are yet to exploit full potential of the web forms, and are lagging behind in effective use of library website. A few libraries offer innovative web‐based library services in different sections. This study identified specific ways in which the web helps university libraries to improve and develop innovative and creative web‐based library services. Some key improvements and developments are: there is an urgent need to develop dynamic library websites and incorporate relevant Web 2.0 based services including web forms in each web‐based library service; apply semantic technologies and ontologies; adopt next‐generation internet (IPv6); and provide multi‐language support content. This study also examined institutional characteristics and resources dedicated to web‐based services.Originality/value– The geographical area of the study was restricted to 20 university libraries in India. VL - 30 IS - 5 SN - 0264-0473 DO - 10.1108/02640471211275657 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471211275657 AU - Madhusudhan M. AU - Nagabhushanam V. PY - 2012 Y1 - 2012/01/01 TI - Web‐based library services in university libraries in India: an analysis of librarians' perspective T2 - The Electronic Library PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 569 EP - 588 Y2 - 2024/03/28 ER -