AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION ON INFLIBNET ACTIVITIES: A CASE STUDY ON FACULTIES, RESEARCH SCHOLAR AND LIBRARY STAFFS OF STATE AND DEEMED-TO-BE UNIVERSITIES IN INDIA

Abstract

Library is just a medium of information communication and Universities are the platform, serving information is the first and foremost duty of a library and here INFLIBNET works as a channel of this communication system. INFLIBNET provides e-Books, e-Journals, e-Synopsis, e-Theses, Plagiarism checking, expert database provider etc services through a bunch of activities for Institutions. Making awareness and maximum use of resources is the main motto of this study. A structured questionnaire was distributed among faculties, research scholars and library staff of Indian states and Deemed Universities (under section 12B and 2F of UGC). 76.25% respondents gave their feedback where 93.4% was aware and among aware persons only 88.6% were habituated to use but other 11.4% became non-user even after awareness. Most of the faculties and research scholars preferred e-journals, e-database and plagiarism checking services. Prepare study materials, article processing, reference/ citation and research study was the main purpose of beneficiaries. After testing hypotheses it has proven that most of the users satisfied by using INFLIBNET activities but lack of search knowledge, lack of relevant source of information, lack of supporting staff and access restriction on subscription based services was faced in most time by users. According to results it was suggested that INFLIBNET and Institutions had to take an initiative to develop well infrastructures and organized more seminars, workshops and training programs for students, faculties even library staff for awareness and ultimate use of the INFLIBNET activities.

Keywords: Library consortia, ICT awareness, INFLIBNET, Open-Access resource, Plagiarism, University library-India