AEGAEUM JOURNAL ISSN NO: 0776-3808

Use of e-resources: a study based on students of pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, ,

Dr. Purnima Kumari Asst. Librarian, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, . e-mail Id:- [email protected]

Abstract:-

Electronic resources are found in various formats from print to e-resources. Electronic resources have changed the mode of collection development, management, and user behavior. This paper briefly discusses the use of e-resources among the students. This study restricted only to the students of the University. The study examines the category of the same population use of e- resources, major problems of e-journal access, the satisfaction of e-resources availability, etc. This study also found that the first and foremost problem while using and accessing e-resources is too much information is retrieved while searching for content. Students opined that they prefer to use e-resources because of the easy availability of current and updated information, faster access to information and exhaustive information on a topic.

Keyword:-

e-resources, electronic resources, online resources, library, e-journals, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University.

Introduction:-

The Library is a repository of resources that create an intellectual environment in education systems and with the development of information communication technologies, internet, web publishing, etc. have changed the whole scenario of information systems from conventional to electronic form which empowers and enrich the higher education system. The library as an organization is a collection of information resources with the particular motivation behind getting, saving and making accessible recorded information. The productivity and viability of the library as an instrument of Research and Learning is controlled by the achievement of giving supporters applicable and convenient information (Auiah and Kumah,2011).

There is no doubt, Internet or www has changed the way of communication, collaborating and educating users. Electronic resources and online resources are being aligned in a conventional or traditional collection in the libraries in different formats like CD-DVD, e-books, e-journals, e-theses, online databases, consortium and web resources. Now a day’s information sources are available in various formats and files. Any documents which are available over the Internet and can be accessed using different technologies such as www, any search engine, email, etc.

These electronic publications can be accessed on payment or free of cost. Due to various features, electronic resources gained recognition and popularity among users within a very short span of time. Electronic information services are attracting users’ attention in today’s networked environment. An electronic resource has various advantages over its print counterpart. E-assets is an expansive term and it incorporates a few diverse distributing models, including computerized resources, web OPACs, CD-ROMs, online databases, electronic journal, digital books, Internet resources, print on interest, email distributing, remote distributing, electronic connection and web distribution, etc.. In this viewpoint an e-resource implies any

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electronic item that conveys gathering of information be in content, numerical, graphical or time based as an industrially accessible assets.

The central Library of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University is housed in a four-storied serviceable independent structure with greenery all around, in a restful environment, situated at the core of the foundation. It was named after Pt. Sundarlal Sharma the legendary political dissident and a social reformer by Shri Arjun Singh, the Chief Minister of M.P. in December 1985 .

Library computerization was initiated in 2000 and by this end of 2005, successfully computerized most of its housekeeping / technical services including the activities of the acquisition section, a Processing section, Circulation section, and periodical section.

With the initiation of UGC-Infonet in 2004, the internet reached this library. Presently for e-reading 1 Gbps network is available under the NME-ICT project of the Government of India.

Library Collection Print: 1. Books a. Purchase : 139604 b. Gift : 27992 c. World Bank : 8993 2. Theses & Dissertations : 24558 3. Current Indian Journals : 79 4. Bound volumes of Journals : 21269

Digital: a. E-books : 2881 b. Current Indian E-Journals : 05 c. Current Foreign E-Journals : 23 d. E- Journals from e-ShodhSindhu : 6000+ e. Ph.D. Thesis : 2637 f. Annual Reports : 53 g. Home Publication : 03 h. Old Question Papers i. Answer Copies of Topers j. Giyankothi : an institutional repository

Services and Facilities Borrowing of books Online Catalogue Internet(Wi-Fi) Encyclopedia, Annual reviews & Advances For Visually Impaired Students Braille Printer, Scanner and Talking Software (JAWS). Overhead book scanner e-library of World Bank Workstation for Research on Micro Data from Census To promote academic integrity and prevent plagiarism, research papers and theses are checked using URKUND software

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Literature Review:-

Singh, Kunwar and Varma, Akhilesh Kumar(2017) found their study to use of e-resources by the students and researchers with special reference to faculty of Arts B H U, . In this study, the result showed that students and researchers are highly satisfied with the e-resources. It also showed that significant numbers of users are dependent on e-resources to get required, relevant and up to date information.

Aregbesola, A. and Oguntayo, S.(2014) examined the use of electronic sources by faculty members at Landmark University, Omu Aran. They found that faculty members use electronic resources for academic purposes. Wide range of books and journals accessed by them.

Ranjan, P., Gudi, S. P., & Daphal, Y. B. (2013) examined their study to find out the trends in access and uses of e-journals along with the difficulty faced by the faculty members so that the libraries can balance their collection and modify their services to meet the needs of its users.

Islam, S., Alam, S., & Sultana, S. (2011) investigate access and usage of scholarly electronic journals at Dhaka University Library. They found their study some major problems of e-journals access and usages in Dhaka University Library and find out some suitable measures to overcome the problems.

Bar-Ilan, Pritz, and Wolman(2003) have been found the usages of electronic information resources indispensable, especially among academic staff influences usages patterns. Most of the Nigerian Universities provide online databases and other online resources to their users.

Objectives:-

The main objectives of the study are as follows:-

1. Find out the present status of resources facilities and services provided by the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University. 2. To analyze the use of e-resources by students of the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University. 3. To study the awareness of e-resources among the students in the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University. 4. To determine the purpose and advantages of using e-resources by the students in the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University. 5. To study the satisfaction related to e-resources availability. 6. To study the problems faced by students. 7. To analyze students' opinions towards e-resources and print resources.

Scope of the Study:-

The study focuses on the use of electronic resources by the students of the Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The approximate population for this study is 221 respondents drawn from the students of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University. Out of these 250 questionnaires, 221 were returned, giving a response rate of 88.4%. As a result, the researchers analyzed 221 responses.

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Methodology:-

The methodology used for collecting data is a questionnaire. As the questionnaire was prepared and information was collected by personal visits to the University department and the questionnaire also got filled with students coming to the library.

Data Analysis:- Table 1 showing the distribution of students on the basis of gender. Table 1 Distribution of students on the basis of gender Gender Number % Male 106 47.9 Female 115 52.1 Total 221 100.0 A perusal of entries in table 1 indicates that an almost equal percentage of male and female students are selected for the present study.

Table 2 showing the distribution of students on the basis of age Table 2 Distribution of students on the basis of Age Age Group Number % 20-25 years 83 37.5 25-35 years 138 62.5 Total 221 100.0

Perusal of table 2 reveals that among selected students, 37.5% are between 20-25 years age group while majority i.e. 62.5% students came in 25-35 years age group category. This is natural because a majority of the students are research scholars pursuing their doctoral research in various students.

Table 3 showing the frequency of selected students visit the library for e-resources. Table 3 Distribution of students on the basis of their Frequency of Visits to Library

Frequency of Visits Number % Daily 45 20.4 Weekly 63 28.5 Monthly 63 28.5 2-3 times a week 06 2.7 Occasionally 44 19.9 Never - - Total 221 100.0 χ2 (df=5) = 100.63, p<.05

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Perusal of entries reported in table 3 reveals that the majority of the selected students visit the library either weekly or monthly (28.5%) while 19.9% students go to the library every day. 19.9% of students occasionally visit the library while 2.7% visit the library occasionally. Hence it is evident that the majority of the students visit the library either weekly or monthly followed by students who visit the library every day in search of e-resources. ( χ2 (df=5) = 100.63, p<.05)

In table no. 4, the frequency of usage of e-resources by the students are presented. Table 4 you use e-resources S.N. e-resources use of e-resources Regularly Frequently Occasionally Uncertain Never Total

1 e-books 11 85 107 11 7 221 -5% -38.50% -48.40% -5% -3.20% χ2 (df =4) = 208.07, p<.05 2 e-journals 159 10 20 6 26 221 -71.90% -4.50% -9.00% -2.70% -11.60% χ2 (df =4) = 378.38, p<.05 3 e-database 68 40 45 45 23 221 -30.80% -18.10% -20.40% -20.40% -10.40% χ2 (df =4) = 23.41, p<.05 4 e-repository 1 3 16 149 52 221 -0.50% -1.40% -7.20% 67.4%) -23.50% χ2 (df =4) = 348.48, p<.05 5 e-thesis 24 91 95 4 7 221 -10.90% -41.20% -43% -1.80% -3.20% χ2 (df =4) = 185.04, p<.05 6 e-newspaper 23 94 23 70 11 221 -10.4 -42.50% -10.40% -31.70% -5.00% χ2 (df =4) = 365.69, p<.05 A perusal of Table 4 reveals the following facts:

- The majority of students use the e-book as e-resources occasionally were as least number of students use e-books as e-resources. - The majority of students use e-journals as e-resources regularly. - Majority of students use e-database as resources regularly - The majority of the students were uncertain about using e-repository as e-resources. - The majority of the students use e-thesis as resources followed by students using e-thesis as e- resources frequently. - The majority of students use e-newspaper frequently as e-resources.

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Analyzing table 4 it is clear that among all selected e-resources, students tend to use e-journals more regularly as compared to other e-resources.

Table 5 showing the purpose of students to access e-resources. Table 5 Purpose of using e-resources (N=221) Purpose of using e-resources* Number % Class notes 112 50.7 Preparation for exams 123 55.6 Research work 109 49.3 Preparing research article 109 49.3 Seminar / workshop presentation 34 15.3 Course work and assignments 92 41.6 Current knowledge regarding 98 44.3 educational topics * Multiple responses Perusal of table 5 shows that 50.7% students use e-resources to prepare class notes, 55.6% use it preparation for exams, 49.3% for research work, 49.3% for preparing research article, 15.3% for preparing seminar and workshop presentations, 41.6% uses it for course work and assignments while 44.3% students use e-resources with a purpose of gaining current knowledge regarding educational topics. Hence it is clear that the majority of students use e-resources with preparation of exams while the least number of students use e-resources for seminar/workshop presentations.

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In table no. 6 shows the opinion of respondents towards the main advantages of e-resources. Table 6 The main advantages of e-resources

S.N. Advantages Response Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Total Agree Disagree 1 Availability of 167 52 - 2 - 221 current updated -75.6 -23.5 -0.90% information χ2 (df =2) = 194.34, p<.05 2 Easier access to 52 168 - 1 - 221 information -23.50% -76% -0.50% χ2 (df =2) = 198.85, p<.05 3 Faster access to 219 - 2 - - 221 information -99.1 -0.9 χ2 (df =1) = 213.07, p<.05 4 Access to a wider 4 216 - - 1 221 range of information -1.80% -97.70% -0.50% χ2 (df =2) = 412.57, p<.05 5 Easy to handle and 2 52 166 1 - 221 easy to share -0.90% -23.50% -75.10% -0.50% χ2 (df =3) = 326.78, p<.05 A perusal of Table 6 reveals the following facts:

- The majority of students (75.6%) strongly agree to the fact that the major advantage of e-resources is in terms of availability of current updated information. - The majority of students (76%) agree with the fact that the major advantage of e-resources is in terms of easier access to information. - The majority of students (75.6%) strongly agree with the fact that the major advantage of e- resources is in terms of faster access to information. - The majority of students (97.7%) agree with the fact that the major advantage of e-resources is in terms of access to a wider range of information. - The majority of students (75.1%) were unsure about the fact that the e-resources are easy to handle and share which reflected to need to train these students in web browsing.

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In table no. 7 shows the comparison of students' opinions towards e-resources and print resources. Table 7 Comparison of students opinion towards e-resources and print resources S.N. Statement Response Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Total Agree Disagree 1 It is easy and convenient to 70 149 2 221 search for required information in e-resources than print form. -31.70% -67.40% -0.90% χ2 (df =2) = 146.94, p<.05 2 Time taken to search for an 153 66 2 221 article on e-resources is far lesser than the time taken on -69.20% -29.90% -0.90% print version. χ2 (df =2) = 155.95, p<.05 3 e-resources are made available 3 150 66 2 221 by publishers immediately where it takes at least 8 weeks -1.40% -67.90% -29.90% -0.90% for print version to reach libraries. χ2 (df =3) = 265.31, p<.05 4 e-resources can be accessed by 151 68 2 221 users from their desktops at -68.30% -30.80% -0.90% workplace unlike print source χ2 (df =2) = 151.33, p<.05 5 e-resource provides links to 3 216 2 221 other related articles in the field -1.40% -97.70% -0.90% unlike print resources χ2 (df =2) = 412.54, p<.05 6 User require assistance while 3 2 150 accessing e-resources unlike -1.40% -0.90% -67.90% when using print resources χ2 (df =3) = 265.31, p<.05 A perusal of Table 7 reveals the following facts:

- The majority of students (67.4%) agree to the fact that it is easy and convenient to search for required information in e-resources than print form. - The majority of students (69.2%) strongly agree to the fact that time taken to search for an article on e-resources is far lesser than the time taken on print versions. - The majority of students (67.9%) agree to the fact that e-resources are made available by publishers immediately where it takes at least 8 weeks for the print version to reach libraries. - The majority of students (68.3%) strongly agree to the fact that e-resources can be accessed by users from their desktops at the workplace, unlike print sources. - The majority of students (97.7%) agree to the fact that e-resource provides links to other related articles in the field, unlike print resources. The majority of students (67.7%) are unsure about the fact that user requires assistance while accessing e-resources unlike when using print resources.

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In table no. 8, the level of awareness among respondents towards e-resources is depicted. Table 8 Level of Awareness towards e-resources Level of Awareness S.N. Very Good Good Uncertain Poor Very Poor Total

1. e-resources 68 141 11 - 01 221

(30.7%) (63.9%) (4.9%) (0.5%)

χ2 (df=3) = 224.73, p<.05

Perusal of entries reported in table 8 reveals that the majority of the respondents in their opinion had good awareness with respect to e-resources (63.9%) while 30.7% had very good awareness with respect to e-resources. 4.9% respondents were uncertain about their opinion while only 0.5% respondents admit that the lack of awareness towards e-resources. The reported ( χ2 (df=3) = 224.73, p<.05) also confirm that the majority of the respondents feel that they had good awareness regarding the importance of e-resources.

In table no. 9, ranking wise information on problems faced by the students while accessing and using e-resources is presented. To analyze the responses Garrett's ranking was used Table 9 Problems faced by students while using and accessing e-resources SN Problems Number

1 Difficulty in finding relevant information 9 2 Difficult to read from screen 10 3 Too much information is retrieved 1 4 Lack of computer terminals 6 5 Frequent power fluctuations 5 6 Incompatible user interface to library website 4 7 Slow access of e-resources due to internet speed 3 8 Poor network connectivity 2 9 Lack of knowledge and lack of training to utilize e-resources 7 10 Lack of sufficient internet nodes in University library 8

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Results shown in table 9 reveal that the first and foremost problem while using and accessing e-resources is too much information is retrieved while searching for content. The other problems in descending order are poor network connectivity, slow access of e-resources due to internet speed, Incompatible user interface to library website, Frequent power fluctuations, Lack of computer terminals, Lack of knowledge and lack of training to utilize e-resources, Lack of sufficient internet nodes in University library, Difficulty in finding relevant information and Difficult to read from screen respectively.

Conclusion:-

The frequency to avail library facility among students of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University students was considerably low as the majority of them visit the library either weekly or monthly. Students mostly prefer e-journals as compared to the other e-resources. The main purpose of students to use e-resources was for the preparation of exams. Students opined that they prefer to use e-resources because of the easy availability of current and updated information, faster access to information and exhaustive information on the topic. The majority of the students were not sure about accessing and handling retrieved information in the form of e-resources. The majority of the respondents prefer e-resources to gather information on various topics as compared to print media. Satisfaction with e-resources available at the university library is significantly less among respondents. The awareness of e-resources was reported to be good among selected students. The majority of the students face difficulty in accessing and using e-resources because too much information is retrieved while searching the internet.

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Khan, S. I. (2012). Use of e-journals by students and research scholars in the department of Botany of Aligarh Muslim University. Library philosophy and practice (e-journal) , 752.

Ranjan, P., Gudi, S. P., & Daphal, Y. B. (2013). Use a library of e-resources by faculty members at jayawant library in Rajarshi Shahu College of Engineering Tathawade, Pune: A case study.

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