Search results

1 – 10 of 620
Article
Publication date: 26 April 2011

Tapas Kumar Ghosh and K.C. Panda

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the functional attributes of the automated serials control systems of the libraries in seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and…

1160

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the functional attributes of the automated serials control systems of the libraries in seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and provide a comparative analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Features of the serials control modules of the library management systems (LMSs) in use in the central libraries of the IITs are thoroughly studied by logging into the respective systems.

Findings

The paper finds that five IITs are using LibSys and two use Virtua and Troodon for their LMS. Virtua covers most of the functional attributes that comply with the international standards, LibSys has tried to incorporate the core functionality of serials control although the compliance of standards is limited, but Troodon is lagging behind.

Originality/value

The recommended attributes of the automated serials control system will definitely act as guidelines for the libraries of the IITs to upgrade their existing systems and the developers of the respective library management system software will also take the necessary initiative to make their system fool‐proof by resolving the identified drawbacks.

Article
Publication date: 6 November 2020

Subhajit Panda and Rupak Chakravarty

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and identify the status of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) conformance levels (A, AA, AAA) and accessibility status in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and identify the status of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) conformance levels (A, AA, AAA) and accessibility status in terms of Severity (Error, Warning and Review) and Responsibility (Editor, Webmaster and Developer) of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Library websites based on Siteimprove Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The library websites of IITs were tested using Siteimprove web-tool to gather details pertaining to W3C's WCAG 2.1 standards. The data thus obtained were then visualized using spreadsheet software for greater insight. A partial correlation test was also done to assess the relationship between the three conformance levels.

Findings

The study could identify significant accessibility-related limitations of the IIT library websites concerning the three WCAG 2.1 conformance levels A (max IIT Bombay), AA (max IIT Dhanbad (ISM)) and AAA (max IIT Gandhinagar and IIT Varanasi (BHU)), Severity and Responsibility. A positive linear relationship exists amongst these conformance levels. The mean value of conformance levels were found to be 18.3 (A), 2.2 (AA) and 3.1 (AAA); Severity scores were found to be 14.4 (Error), 3.9 (Warning) and 5.2 (Review); and Responsibility scores were found to be 6 (Editor), 9.3 (Webmaster) and 8.3 (Developer), respectively.

Practical implications

The study highlights the comparative picture of accessibility issues and conformance levels of the IITs' library website homepage with the help of results derived/based on Siteimprove Accessibility Checker. The findings of the study reveal that though the library website of IITs' in India possess a well-designed and easily navigable website homepage as far as their accessibility for VIPs is concerned, there are several issues that are still to be resolved.

Social implications

World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Marrakesh VIP Treaty (MVT) and the W3C's WCAG cater to the requirements and rights of the persons with vision-related disability of accessing information and knowledge building a steeper and deeper knowledge divide. Identifying and rectifying the shortcomings in the library websites will bridge the accessibility-divide and make the society more inclusive.

Originality/value

No previous study could be identified evaluating the accessibility issues of the library website of Indian IITs focussed on vision-disabled persons using Siteimprove. The methodology and approach of this paper have value in terms of reusability and reproducibility facilitating future studies.

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2019

Gulnaz and Nishat Fatima

The purpose of this paper is to present the situation of collection development and management of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and IIT Patna libraries. This…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the situation of collection development and management of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and IIT Patna libraries. This research includes other areas of collection development, i.e. collection development policy, acquisition of resources, selection of resources and budget allocation. The collection management includes accessibility, stock verification, shelf arrangement, weeding out and library security of IIT Guwahati and IIT Patna Central Libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was sent to the librarians via e-mail, which includes 20 questions with 103 preferences.

Findings

Present research has found that there is a difference in newly established IIT Patna library and old IIT Guwahati library in some aspects of collection development. In the library of IIT Patna, library committee is responsible for collection development policy as well as recommender of resource selection, whereas in IIT Guwahati library advisory committee is responsible for collection development policy and selection of resources on the recommendation of faculty members. The IIT Patna library is not facing any problem, while IIT Guwahati library facing many problems i.e., lack of funds, information explosion and literature scattered. The RFID is used in IIT Patna library, while in IIT Guwahati library it is under process.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the collection development policies undertaken in IIT Patna and IIT Guwahati in eastern India. The research questions are limited to the theme only. Therefore, the findings of the study are not valid for an in-depth study.

Practical implications

The study has great importance for librarians of IITs which have recently established in India. The findings and suggestions can serve as groundwork and could help to solve some common problems that had been faced by them.

Originality/value

This is a comparative study of IIT Guwahati and IIT Patna libraries in eastern India. The collection development aspects, i.e. selection, acquisition, finance and collection management, play a vital role in the collection development to serve their users. The study can serve as a base for future studies in other academic and special libraries.

Details

Collection and Curation, vol. 38 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9326

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2011

Margam Madhusudhan and Shalini Aggarwal

The purpose of the paper is to examine the various features and components of web‐based online public access catalogues (OPACs) of IIT libraries in India with the help of a…

2061

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine the various features and components of web‐based online public access catalogues (OPACs) of IIT libraries in India with the help of a specially designed evaluation checklist.

Design/methodology/approach

The various features of the web‐based OPACs in six IIT libraries (IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Roorkee) are evaluated. The evaluation approach taken was similar to that of Luong and Liew with minor modifications, comprising 122 dichotomous questions with 174 features and categorized as 11 broad categories.

Findings

The study explored different features of web‐based OPACs, of which page layout received the highest average scores with 93.33 percent, followed by the general features category with 90 percent. In contrast, session filters was the weakest category with only 40.47 percent. The results indicated that some web‐based OPACs reached the maximum scores for some categories. The results also indicated that VTLS‐based and LibSys‐based OPACs had the higher score on average (74.7 percent) and the iitKlas‐based OPAC of IITK received the lowest score of 44.2 percent. None were rated excellent. Only 50 percent of the web‐based OPACs studied achieved an above average ranking, of which Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IITM) had the highest total score (131), and the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK) had the lowest total score (77). Almost all of the web OPACs studied lacked federated search, adjunct thesaurus help and spell check facilities, which seems to raise many questions regarding the facilities provided in the OPAC 2.0 environment of today and hence needs to be addressed as a priority in the subsequent generations of the web‐based OPACs and their development.

Practical implications

It is hoped that the libraries at the IITs will attend to the lacunae and soon develop fully functional web‐based OPACs with Web 2.0 and 3.0 technologies.

Originality/value

The findings of the study will not only guide study librarians and other newly established institutions but also ILMS vendors, so that they can overcome the limitations faced by users and improve their products as OPAC 2.0. This will also help the in‐house web‐based OPACs of IIT Kanpur and IIT Roorkee to compete with other reputed ILMS‐based OPACs.

Details

Program, vol. 45 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2006

V.K.J. Jeevan and P. Padhi

The paper aims to assess the level of preparedness of the Central Libraries of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to personalize content and seeks to determine whether the…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to assess the level of preparedness of the Central Libraries of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to personalize content and seeks to determine whether the personalization service prototype being developed at IIT Kharagpur can be extrapolated to the remaining IITs.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was sent to the Librarians of the seven IITs, designed to compare the available information resources and services, with special emphasis on user interests and personalization aspects. The survey was supplemented by study visits to a couple of the Institutes.

Findings

Kharagpur and Mumbai have implemented personalization services in some form while the remaining IITs plan to adopt them in the near future. There is also a strong case for extending Kharagpur's personalization service, currently in project mode, to the other IITs.

Research limitations/implications

IIT Madras and IIT Kanpur failed to return the questionnaires, so relevant information regarding these Institutes had to be collected from their web sites and other available sources. There is also scope for further research to accurately access the current status of personalization activities in all the IITs.

Practical implications

With parallel interests and similar research and information facilities, personalization services in one IIT can be replicated and utilized by all the others, leading to greatly enhanced library services in all the Institutes.

Originality/value

This one of a kind survey underlines the need for and possibility of making content personalization a reality in advanced technical libraries. The results obtained are valuable to all IIT libraries in particular and academic/technical libraries in general.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 24 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2001

S.P. Singh

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have been recognized all over the world as centres of excellence in learning, training and research in the fields of engineering and…

1158

Abstract

The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) have been recognized all over the world as centres of excellence in learning, training and research in the fields of engineering and technology. This paper describes the present state of computerization in six IIT libraries (Bombay, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Madras). The different aspects covered are hardware, software, applications, databases, CD‐ROMs, online search services, networking and marketing of products and services. Future plans have also been covered where available. The data was gathered through questionnaires. In addition, annual reports and other primary documents of the libraries were used.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

B. Sutradhar

To describe how an institutional repository (IR) was set up, using open source software, at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur. Members of the IIT can publish…

2255

Abstract

Purpose

To describe how an institutional repository (IR) was set up, using open source software, at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur. Members of the IIT can publish their research documents in the IR for online access as well as digital preservation. Material in this IR includes instructional materials, records, data sets, electronic theses, dissertations, annual reports, as well as published papers. This opens up the world of scholarly publishing in a way that causes re‐examination of many of the current practices of scholarly communication and publishing.

Design/methodology/approach

Details of the hardware and software requirements are provided along with information about available open source software. The steps involved in uploading and submitting material in the IR are described.

Findings

This paper provides evidence on how to set up an IR and how to create different communities and, under each community, many collections using the DSpace software. It was found that setting up an IR is very simple but its maintenance is very difficult. One person needs to have the computer knowledge, particularly in the Linux operating system environment and must be dedicated to carry out the IR administrative activities like registration, permission authenticity, submission and grant, installation of the updating version of the software, etc.

Research limitations/implications

Before setting up an IR, the institution should have sufficient funds to acquire computer hardware and other related software, and computer knowledgeable manpower. It can also be noted that after setting up a successful IR, the administrator must train the faculty members and research scholars regarding the proper uploading and submitting of metadata into the repository.

Practical implications

Guidelines are provided to assist those in setting up an IR. Appropriate staff are required to administer and run the IR smoothly.

Originality/value

An IR provides the IIT with a central and cost‐effective facility for the orderly and systematic archiving of research results and other documents that is accessible worldwide. Eventually, the library hopes to build a full IR, and make the resource available to other sites using a data harvesting protocol like OAI‐PMH. This paper gives an idea that setting set up interoperable IRs among the same type of institutions in a particular state or country enables data to be transferred through OAI‐PMH protocol from one IR to another.

Details

Program, vol. 40 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2019

Raj Kishor Kampa and Purnima Kaushik

The purpose of this paper is to study the adoption and use of open source software (OSS) in the libraries of Institutions of National Importance (INIs) in India vis-à-vis their…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the adoption and use of open source software (OSS) in the libraries of Institutions of National Importance (INIs) in India vis-à-vis their economic impact on adopting libraries. Besides, it aims to study the business model of OSS.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyses the adoption and use of OSS in the libraries of INIs, India, and their economic impact on the adopting libraries. An online survey was administrated to library professionals of INIs to know the adoption and use of OSS in their libraries and its acceptability. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square are used in this study.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that the libraries of INIs adopt and use OSS in integrated library system (ILS) (18.4 per cent), digital repository (95.2 per cent) and library website (65.5 per cent). Koha, DSpace, Drupal and Joomla! are the most favoured OSS among the libraries of INIs. The results reveal that favouring of OSS and having a policy on OSS by the libraries have a positive and significant relationship with their adoption and use of OSS in the libraries. The results of the study show that university libraries of India could save an estimated Rs 417m by adopting open source ILS such as Koha, Evergreen, NewGenLib and ABCD.

Practical implications

The paper will help decision makers to adopt and use open source ILS in their libraries.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind that explores the economic impact of OSS on the adopting libraries and also explicitly discusses the business model of open source library software.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. 68 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2023

Rajender Kumar and Dinesh K. Gupta

This paper examines the impact of restructuring on the usage of resources and services in the Indian Institute of Technology library, Roorkee. Library users were approached to…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines the impact of restructuring on the usage of resources and services in the Indian Institute of Technology library, Roorkee. Library users were approached to know their preferences between an electronic and traditional resources and services. Additionally, the study focused to know the extent of change in users' awareness, dependency, usage, frequency and satisfaction from library resources and services after restructuring these due to the availability of abundance of e-resources.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted survey-based research design, for which a questionnaire was used as the principal instrument for data collection. This questionnaire was distributed to the library users when they physically visited the library. Notably, all the questionnaires distributed were returned, yielding thereby a cent percent response rate. One questionnaire was administrative on the librarian for getting the data regarding the changes made in the subscription of e-resources and services. The collected data were further analyzed with appropriate statistical techniques of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as chi-square test, mean and standard deviation.

Findings

The results showed that the use of both restructured resources and services had increased, and was found to be helpful for users. Also, the users' dependency on library had increased, showing thereby an upward trend for usage in the future. However, although the users’ awareness, usage and frequency of e-resources and ICT-based services have positively changed, and partially been satisfied, the study suggests that further revision is needed for further strengthening e-resources and services as per user's needs satisfaction.

Practical implications

This study would create interest in rethinking library resources and services among librarians that tend to respond positively to user satisfaction and library functions; it also provides a strategic position of a library per se for its users in the future. Importantly, the assessment of the usage of restructuring resources and services, vis-a-vis their impact on users, may also serve as a key tool, which possibly could be applied to both public libraries and other types of higher education libraries.

Originality/value

Many libraries find it difficult to balance between electronic and printed materials, especially in the fields of science and technology, due to the preferences of the users. Thus far, there have not been too many studies that have looked to assess restructuring of library resources and services, vis-a-vis their impact on library users. Therefore, the results of this study would provide a clear understanding to the library profession as to how users use e-resources and services in the digital age, and how much they are actually influenced by these.

Details

Library Management, vol. 44 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2009

Baljinder Kaur and Rama Verma

This paper aims to describe the use of electronic resources and services provided at the central library of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. The paper is focused to know who…

2819

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the use of electronic resources and services provided at the central library of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. The paper is focused to know who these electronic information services users are, how often they use the services and the place where the information is accessed. Also, the users are asked to give their preferences between an electronic and print journal format.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire method is used for collecting the data from the users (i.e. undergraduate, postgraduate, research scholar and faculty), categories‐wise.

Findings

It has been found that usage of e‐journals is increasing; this is due to awareness among the users about the library e‐resources and services. Owing to an easy access available at various places in the institute, users are accessing these resources at hostels and departments more as compared to the library. The users coming to library have decreased.

Originality/value

The present paper will help other institutes understand the need for library electronic resources, and motivate them to update their resources in the larger interest of the students, faculty and research scholars. The paper also indicates how a suitably designed survey can show the awareness and use of types of information services, in this case e‐journals. There is a dearth of such studies in India and the methodology and findings can be applied to other libraries to reveal similar trends as well as comparisons.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

1 – 10 of 620