User Perception Towards ICT Services and Facilities in Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University

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Chapter 9 User Perception Towards ICT Services and Facilities in Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University

Shamim Aktar Munshi Aligarh Muslim University, India

Mohd Faizan Aligarh Muslim University, India

ABSTRACT This chapter examines users’ opinion regarding various aspects of ICT-based services and facilities pro- vided by the Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University, India. The authors used a quantitative study based on the survey method along with the questionnaire as a tool for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analysis and interpretation of 278 selected question- naires. Findings of the study reveal a majority of respondents are satisfied with ICT-based services and facilities offered by the library. However, most of the respondents have reported that it is essential to improve the quality of ICT facilities like the speed of Internet connection, scanner facility, and photocopy facility. They also cited a need to increase the number of printing machines. The findings also show that users have a positive attitude towards ICT tools which are used by the library such as various Social Networking Sites (SNSs), e-mail, blogs, etc. for spreading quick information.

DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-1482-5.ch009

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INTRODUCTION

Since the phase of the development, libraries and information centres are playing a crucial role in the growth and development of society. The fundamental objective of a library is to fulfil the information needs of the members of society irrespective of caste, creed, colour, gender and geographical boundaries (IFLA, 2010). The academic libraries, particularly university libraries, play an important role in meeting the information needs of the users, such as students, research scholars, faculty members and other members of the academic community (Namaganda and Sekikome, 2013). It also supports learn- ing, teaching, research activities and sharing their preserved information to the researchers to achieve the goals of the parent institutions. Technological advancement in ICT led to enhancement in accessing, storing and disseminating the information. The earlier library was considered a storehouse of knowledge. But these days ICT reshaped the functioning and services of the library. Not only this, it also brought drastic changes in organisation and management of library and information system. Today in most of the academic libraries, the information seeking behaviour of users changed from traditional to modern. For example: from catalogue card to OPAC, print collection to digital collection, etc. At present, many libraries provide 24/7 services in a digitized manner, support Web 2.0, facilitates access to using search engines, portals, gateways and web tools (Cholin, 2005; Mohsenzadeh and Isfandyari-Moghaddam, 2009). In India, ICT has a greater impact on library and information services. The academic libraries in India are adopting this technology and some are at various stages of development in the application and implementation of ICT in their respective activities (Husain and Nazim, 2015). Libraries in India, with the help of ICT tools it becomes more upgraded and provides computerised services to users. Through remote access, the services of the library are not confined to geographical boundaries. A user can access the information globally. Therefore, ICT plays a crucial role in the growth and development of libraries and is the best technology in fulfilling or satisfying the needs of users (Peyala, 2011). At present, many academic libraries in India have already started using modern technologies such as a computer, Internet, e-mail, Web 2.0 tools, Social Networking Sites, to interact with users and to share information within the university campus and outside. A number of scholars have identified Blog, Micro-blogs, RSS (Really Simple Syndication), Wikis, IM (Instant Massaging), Social Networking Sites, Podcasts, and Vodcasts, etc. were the most popular and prominent Web 2.0 tools which are accepted worldwide for academic libraries for knowledge sharing purposes (Hanson and Cervone, 2007; Arif and Mahmood, 2010; Tripathi and Kumar, 2010; Mahmood and Richardson, 2011). Notably, these sophisticated technologies bring several up-to-date information to a user’s fingertip at anytime, anywhere by using various electronic devices having internet connectivity. However, the present study has attempted to examine the user’s perception regarding various aspects of ICT based services and facilities offered by the Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University.

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY

Aligarh Muslim University has a pivotal role in the making of Indian history as we know it today. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who was a great social reformer and felt the need for modern education founded the Madarsatul Uloom in 1875 in a small city named Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in India. The establishment of

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