ILA Journal
ILA Journal
ILA Journal
2 (April-June 2012)
Contents
5 Innovative Approach to Librarian-Publishers Relationship in Academic Libraries DR. JESUDOSS MANALAN AND DR. L. PARISUTHARAJ JNV Libraries in Maharashtra: A Study KISHOR M. DHUMNE AND DR. SURESH H. GAWALI Reading Habits of Public Library Users in Erode Corporation, Tamilnadu: A Survey M.R. RAMESH Utilization of E-Learning Platforms by the Postgraduate Students of Kerala: An Analytical Study MAHJABEEN AYDEED AND VAHIDA BEEGAM T Directory of Open Access Journals, Health Science Nursing: A Bibliometric Study RAJEEV VASHISTHA AND MADAN LAL JAT ICT and Librarians: Surviving the Challenges of the Technological Developments SEEMA VASISHTA
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ILA BULLETIN
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To, The General Secretary, Indian Library Association, A/40-41,Flat No. 201, Ansal Building, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, New Delhi, 10009 Dear Sir, Please publish our advertisement in the forthcoming issue(s) of your publication as per the enclosed sample. Relevant details are as under : 1. Short Title/brief description of the material (enclosed) for advertisement: _______________________________________________________________ 2. To be published in : ILA Bulletin ILA Newsletter 3. Advertisement Code : ___________________________________________ 4. Cheque/DD No.:........ Date : . Name of the Bank : . for Rupees Drawn in favour of Indian Library Association, payable at New Delhi. Authorised Signature Address & Seal of the Firm
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Professor DRTC, Indian Statistical Institute 8th Mile, Mysore Rd., Bangalore 560 059
In this era of fast ethnological advance and minimization of distance through the use of the Internet, every library professional is expected to possess the skills and techniques to use the technology to satisfy the information needs of their users. The job of a library professional is challenging today than any other time in the history. He should master the IT skills and find every possible way to satisfy his tech-savvy clientele. Today, all significant works of science, literature, arts are being preserved digitally and available free online. Open Access Initiatives, Digital Archives / Digital Libraries hosted by different institutes and agencies provide useful information with no cost. The library professional should explore all such options available on the Internet to serve the user community in a better way without straining the library budget. To update his IT skills, the library professional must keep a track on what is going on with the web. For this he has to consult a variety of different sources: websites, blogs, news, tweets. Regular reading is very important for the library professional. Though it is not really possible to keep up with everything, the library professional can at least follow the recent trends in Information Technology by visiting some useful sites like, CNET Technology News, Mashable: The Social Media Guide, Readwrite Web, Tech Crunch etc In this issue, there are some research papers that deal with the topics relevant to the issues discussed above viz., 'Utilization of E-Learning Platforms by the Postgraduate Students of Kerala: An Analytical Study', Directory of Open Access Journals, Health Science- Nursing: A Bibliometric Study', 'Scholarly Open Access Resources and Services on the Web' and 'Innovative Approach to Librarian-Publishers Relationship in Academic Libraries. These research papers provide useful information about the Open Access resources and services on the Internet. We, the library professionals always strive hard to serve our user community despite our never ending problems with increasing budgetary cuts, fluctuating foreign exchange rates, unclear book acquisition policies etc. Good Offices Committee (GOC) is doing its best to establish uniform terms of book supplies to libraries, and to ensure a fair working margin to booksellers and an efficient service to the libraries. As we are aware, GOC has been in existence for more than 30 years and most of the college and university libraries all over the country are following the conversion rates and the terms of book supply framed by this committee. But, unfortunately, some educational institutes are trying to do away with the GOC terms. They are forcing the library managers to call for tenders and quotations to purchase books though the Ministry of Finance, GOI, vide its O.M. NO. F. 23(7). EII (A)/83 Dated 7.2.1984 made changes in the GENERAL FINANCIAL RULES which dispense with the necessity of calling for tenders or quotations in respect of purchase of books, periodicals. These are the burning issues of the profession and need to be addressed at proper platform at the national level. With warm regards, Dr. Muttayya Koganuramath Chief Editor
Dr. Ramesha
Associate Professor Dept. of Library & Inf. Sc. Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi Campus BANGALORE - 560 056 E-mail: [email protected]
Send Papers & Advertisements to : General Secretary, Indian Library Association, A40-41, Flat No. 201, Ansal Building, Dr. Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi - 9 Tele-fax : 011- 27651743, e-mail : [email protected] Printed at : Om Laser Printers, Delhi - 9
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
57th All India Library Conference Proceedings on Knowledge Society : Innovations in Librarianship (ILAKSIL 2012), Edited by Dr B. Ramesha, Sh Sanjeev Dutt Sharma, Dr O.N. Chaubey, Dr N.S. Shokeen, Dr B.K. Vishala, Dr Anuradha Gupta, Rs 3000/-, US $ 175. 56th All India Library Conference Proceedings on Public Libraries of Future : Opportunities & Challenges Sonepat, July 21-23, 2011, Edited by Dr. O.N. Chaubey, Sh Sanjeev Dutt Sharma, Dr N.S. Shokeen, Sh B.P. Chauhan, Sh P.K. Choudhary, Rs 1500/-, US $ 75. 55th All India Library Conference Proceedings on Library & Information Science in the Digital Era Greater Noida, January 21-24, 2010, Edited by Sh D.V. Singh, Dr (Mrs) R Chandra, Dr O.N. Chaubey, Dr B. Ramesha, Dr N.S. Shokeen, Dr Maliknath Kumbar, Dr Rishi Tiwari, Sh Sanjeev Dutt Sharma, Rs 2000/-, US $ 150. 54th All India Library Conference TISS 2008 on Role of Libraries and Information Centres Mumbai, November 12-15, 2008 , Edited by Dr Muttayya Koganuramath, Dr (Mrs) R Chandra, Dr Sangayya Sirurmath, Dr Mallikarjun Angadi, Dr Satish Kanamadi, Dr N.S. Shokeen, Mr Puttaraj C. Rs 1600/-, US $ 100. 53rd All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Developing Library and Information Resources and Services in the Internet Era" Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, December 13-16, 2007, Edited By Prof. Jagtar Singh, Shri D. V. Singh, Dr. N. S. Shokeen, Dr. (Mrs) R. Chandra, Dr. Trishanjit Kaur, Dr. O. N. Chaubey, Nirmal K. Swain, Rs. 1000/- (Hardbound); US $ 100. 52nd All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on Information Commons : Impact on and Implications for Libraries and Information Centres Srinagar, Uttaranchal, December 26-29, 2006, Edited By Dr. AL Moorthy, Shri D.V. Singh, Dr. (Mrs) R. Chandra, Shri Manoj Kumar, Dr. S.K. Sharma, Shri V. Srinivasulu, Rs. 1000/- (Uttaranchal); US $ 100. 51st All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on Libraries, Information Literacy and Lifelong Learning, Kurukshetra December 16-18, 2005, Edited By Dr. (Mrs) R. Chandra, Shri N.K. Bar, Dr. M. Madhusudhan, Ms. Meera, Shri Krishan Gopal, Shri D.V. Singh Rs. 1000/- (Hardbound); US $ 100. 50th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Knowledge Organization in Digital Enviroment in Libraries (KODEL): Introspects and Prospects". Vadodara (Gujarat), December 1-4, 2004. Edited by Dr (Mrs.) Ashu Shokeen, Dr M. Madhusudan and D V Singh. Rs. 1000/- (Hardbound); US $ 100. 49th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Responding to Users' Need in Changing Information Landscapes: Sojourn of Libraries from PalmLeaf to Palm-Top". Jhansi (UP), December 29, 2003 to January 1, 2004. Edited by Prof (Dr) N Laxman Rao, Dr (Mrs.) Ashu Shokeen, Dr U C Sharma, D V Singh and Dr R K Bhatt. Rs. 800/- (Hardbound); US $ 100. 48th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Electronic Information Environment and Library Services: A Contemporary Paradigm". Bangalore, January 22-25, 2003. Edited by Dr Pandey S K Sharma, Akhtar Parvez, Dr (Mrs) Ashu Shokeen and D V Singh. Rs. 1000/- (Hardbound); US $ 100. 47th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Library Practices for Effective Management". Warangal, December 20-23, 2001. Edited by Kalpana Das Gupta. Rs. 995/- (Paperback); US $ 99.50. 46th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Quest for Quality: Quality Assurance in Library and Information Services: The Need of the Hour for Survival". Ahmedabad, Jan 3-6, 2001. Edited by S M Dhawan. Rs. 995/- (Paperback); US $ 99.50. 45th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Indian Libraries and Librarianship in Retrospect and Prospect". Edited by J L Sardana. Rs. 760/(Paperback); US $ 75 & Rs. 950/- (Hardbound); US $110. National Seminar on "Challenges before the University Libraries in India in the 21st Century". M S University of Baroda. August 9-12, 1999. Edited by J L Sardana. Rs. 700/-; US $ 70. 44th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Libraries and Information Services in the Electronics Information Era". Hyderabad, February 25-28, 1999. Edited by J L Sardana. Rs. 700/-; US $ 70. 43rd All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Sustainable Library and Information Services". Chandigarh, November 5-8, 1997. Edited by T A V Murthy, N Datta and R P Kumar. Rs. 650/-; US $ 65. 42nd All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Role of Libraries in National Development". Calicut, December 21-24, 1996. Edited by R P Kumar, Divya Srivastava and S P Gupta. Rs 650/-; US $ 65. 41st All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Human Relations is Librarianship". Vijayawada, January 7-10, 1996. Edited by P S G Kumar and C P Vashishth. Rs 600/-; US $ 60. 40th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Preparing Libraries for the 21st Century". Goa. January 5-8, 1995. Edited by C V Subbarao. Rs. 600/-; US $ 60. 39th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Library Movement and Library Development in India". 1994. Edited by C P Vashishth. Rs. 600/-; US $ 60. 38th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Library and Information Technology: In Pursuit of Excellence". Bhubaneswar, November 2124,1992. Edited by C P Vashishth, O P Sharma, A P Gakhar, and Dr Dev Raj Singh. Rs. 500/-; US $ 55. Model Public Libraries Act 1991. Rs 100/-; US $ 20. 37th All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "National Information Policies and Perspective". 1991. Edited by K S Raghvan. Rs. 400/-; US $ 50. 36th All India Conference Seminar Papers on "Computerization and Library Network". Edited by C P Vashishth. 1990. Rs. 400/-; US $ 50. 35th All India Conference Seminar Papers on "Standardisation in Library and Information Work and Services". Edited by C P Vashishth. Rs. 400/-; US $50. College Libraries in India: Proceedings of National Seminar. Edited by Krishan Kumar and J K Anand. 1988. Rs. 250/-; US $ 40. 33rd All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Modernisation in Libraries". 1988. Edited by C P Vashishth. Rs. 500/-; US $ 50. Year's Work in Indian Librarianship 1987. Written and Edited by T S Rajagopalan. 1988. Rs 250/-; US $40. 32nd All India Library Conference Seminar Papers on "Quality in Libraries". Anantpur, January 3-6,1987, Edited by C P Vashishth. Rs. 400/-; US $40. Continuing Education for Librarian. Paper for the All India Seminar held on February 12, 1984 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Edited by J L Sardana. Rs. 200/-; US $ 40. 28th All India Library Conference Seminar on "Public Libraries in a Developing Society" and "Planning for National Information System for India". 1982. Edited by J L Sardana, Mohinder Singh, O P Trikha, N N Mohanty. Rs. 200/-; US $ 40. Proceeding of the XXVI All-India Conference held at New Delhi from March 6-9, 1980, Edited by Krishan Kumar & C P Vashisth. Rs 200/-; US $ 40. Proceedings of the XV All-India Library conference held at Mysore from June 17-19, 1965 Rs 200/-; US $ 40. Indian Library Association Bulletin, Quarterly. Annual subscription. Rs 750/-; US $ 55.
The rate of discount applicable on the above publications would be as follows (i) Personal Members (ordinary, life and library associations): 20%; (ii) Institutional Members: 10%; iii) Publications which have been published before 2000 would be available at a discounted rate of 40%, from the office of the Indian Library Association A/40-41, Flat No 201, Ansal Building, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110 009 (India). Telefax No. 011-27651743. Cheques/DD should be drawn in favour of Indian Library Association, payable at Delhi.
With the latest electronic gadgets, the librarians get opportunities to interact with the publishers in the areas like e-publishing, online products, digital world, digital repositories, and subjects like copyright, licensing, users right, dynamic databases, aggregators, archiving and preservation 3. LIBRARIAN VS BOOK PUBLISHERS /VENDORS: Over the years, publishers and librarians have found themselves involved in somewhat contentious relationships with librarians sometimes looking at the publishers as adversaries 2 . The factors relating to commercial, legal and collaboration issues affect the librarians and publishers both collectively and individually in facing significant economic pressures and impact of technological change. There are issues emerging from inter-relationships that need to be resolved so that librarians can move forward to achieve their goals. The transitions that they have to make are not easy. And their objectives are not always mutually compatible. It is expected that they would continue to operate in close relation to one another through constructive dialogue and collaborative efforts.
CONCLUSION Librarians and publishers are twirling around each other getting closer as the world is turning faster around us. The two professionals should try to explore new ways of collaboration: more as Public-private partnerships and not only based on a commercial relationship (of sellers and buyers), but on a mutual interest to serve the readers. It is a strong conviction that together, libraries and publishers, they can provide an excellent service to the people. Time and again, publishers and librarians are thrown into each others arms: to work together with proven skills and proven commitment5. REFERENCES 1. Singer Gordan R. (2006). The NextGen Librarian Survival Guide. Medford, N.J. : Information Today. Inc. Mullen, L. B. (2009). Publishers and Librarians: New Dialogues in Challenging Times. Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 56, Winter. Retrieved from http://www.istl.org/09-winter/viewpoint.html. Scott, M. (1998). Library-Publisher Relations in the Next Millennium: The Library Perspective. In 64 th IFLA General Conference Proceedings, August 16-21, Amsterdam. Retrieved from http://archive.ifla.org/IV/ifla64/ ms90-3-e.htm. Goehner, D. (1990). Vendor Library relations : The ethics of working with vendors. In K.A. Schmidt (Ed.), Understanding the Business of Library Acquisitions (137-151), Chicago : ALA. Spruijt, H. P. (2009). Digital Library Futures: Pressures on the Publisher-librarian Relation in the Era of Digital Change. In Proceedings of the IFLA Conference Digital Library Futures, Italy, 25 August 1-8. The Hague: IFLA
Fig. 1 Work Flow Model BENEFITS The changing Publisher-Librarian relationship creates opportunities to discuss the inter twined future of both libraries and the scholarly publishing business. The rapport between Librarian and publisher/ book vendor is too essential, which brings the two categories professionally in achieving the common goal. Librarian and vendors both benefit from productive long-term reciprocal relationship
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SUGGESTIONS 1. Seminars/Conferences could be organized on the theme Librarians and Publishers- a partnership for the benefit of both the community. Library schools shall have a separate course to teach students much about publishing world, the acquisition process or how to be a good customer. They could also be taught about how a book vendor operates which can enable them to inherit good business relationship. Librarians could avoid delays in payment to small book vendors who may already have a cash flow problem. Carrying long overdue
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INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO LIBRARIAN-P UBLISHERS R ELATIONSHIP IN A CADEMIC IBRARIES JOURNAL OF INDIAN LL IBRARY ASSOCIATION 2012, 48(2) 9-12
INTRODUCTION The Navoday Vidyalay Samiti is an Autonomous Organization under the Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, which has been set up to establish & manage co-educational, residential school covering classes VI to XII known as Jawahar Navoday Vidyalayas. The National Policy on Education 1986 envisaged establishment of a Navoday Vidyalay in each District of the country. The first two schools were started in 1985-86 on experimental basis. The number of schools has now grown to 550 spread over 34 States and Union Territories. Out of these, every school are functional.
These schools have over 1.58 Lakhs students on rolls. Navoday Vidyalayas are fully residential and co-educational schools covering classes VI to XII. Education in the Vidyalayas is free for all enrolled students including lodging, boarding, text books, uniforms etc. The Vidyalayas seek to promote and develop talented, bright and gifted children predominantly from rural areas who may otherwise be denied good educational opportunities. Eight Regional Offices have been established at Bhopal, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Pune & Shillong with jurisdiction over different States and UTs. 1
Library Access System It is observed from table 2 that all the 24 Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay libraries in Maharashtra under study has open access system. Hence the open access is 100%. No library is having close access system. As per the Bureau of Indian Standard, the library members should have open access to system. Table 2 - Library Access System Sr. No. 1. 2. Access System Open Access Close Access No. of Libraries 24 % 100
HYPOTHESIS 1. 2. Sufficient Reading Material is available in the libraries of Jawahar Navoday Vidyalayas. Sufficient and adequate services are provided to the users efficiently.
Ratio of Students to Books In table 3 the ratio of students to books has been calculated from the collected data, which shows upward trend. Table 3 - Ratio of Students to Books Year 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 No of Student 10518 10579 10578 10881 10982 No. of Books 127365 138879 147882 154635 187238 Ratio 1:12 1:13 1:13 1:14 1:17
PERIOD OF STUDY This study covers the period of five years, i.e. from 2004-05 to 2008-2009. SAMPLE OF THE STUDY All the 32 Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay Libraries are covered under the study. The region-wise break up has been shown in the table no. 1.1 including all the Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay Libraries. Out of 32 Jawahar Navoday Vidyalay Libraries, only 24 libraries have furnished the data. Hence 24 Libraries have been covered in this study in a way, the sample is census type.
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It has been observed from the above table that collection of J / P and NP shows up ward growth. During the year 2004-05 it was 702 and it has grown to 789 in the 2005-06 (i.e. 12.39%). It becomes 914 in the year 2006-07 (i.e. 30.19%). where as it has grown to 1046 in the year 2007-08 (i.e. 49%) and in the year 2008-09 the collection was equal to1128(i.e. 60.68%). It shows that in the span of 5 years the overall growth in the number of J/P & NP was 60.68%. As per the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), the minimum requirement of J/P & NP collection of the library should be 25 Journals and Periodicals (J/P) & 5 daily news papers (NP) suitable for students and academic recreational needs of teachers should be subscribed to.
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INTRODUCTION Books reading are an art. It is a pleasure to read books. Books are friends and companions. Reading helps us to de-stress ourselves. It is an aid for relaxation. It enriches our knowledge, improves our vocabulary. It helps to think and create new knowledge. Person who reads most can speak more and can be an interesting conversationalist. When TV became popular in Indian households most of us thought that it is the end of the print media and people are going to read less and less. But after conducting this study, the author found that books are still most preferred medium for update knowledge and pleasure. People still find books more convenient to read, as they are portable and need minimum reading aids. We also found that friends, teachers and the parents have a great influence on readers by introducing them to books. Reading is possible only when people are literate. We can instill reading habits only if illiteracy is eradicated. Public libraries can be effective agencies of promoting reading habits among the literate public. Public libraries are the hub of reading of books, journals, newspapers and magazines by the public. They are the most suitable places to carry out studies of this kind.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 1. 2. 3. To examine the working pattern of the public libraries under study To assess the reading habits of public library users To find out the reasons for reading books, which are the languages user prefer for reading and who are their favorite authors Finally to examine the influence of electronic media on the reading habits of public library users
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HYPOTHESES 1. 2. With the emergence of electronic media the reading habits of people are winding People find it difficult to access all books, so they prefer to visit the nearest public library to read books Whatever the different types of reading materials that have emerged over the years, books have always ruled reading There is no relation between reading and the electronic media
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SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY Only public users of rural and district level public libraries of Erode Corporation, Tamilnadu were considered for the study. Only 200 active readers are covered on day to day basis for a period of two months. Users of all age groups visiting the public libraries are surveyed. METHODOLOGY The methodology used for his study is questionnaire method. The investigator personally distributed the questionnaire and collected the responses on the spot. This facilitated in having hundred percent responses. Some questions were open-ended and some were choice questions. ANALYSIS, DISCUSSION INTERPRETATION AND The data regarding the sex wise break up of public library users is shown in Table 2. It may be seen from the table that most of the user are male users representing 79% and only 21% of them are female users. Table 2 - Sex wise distribution of Respondents S. No. 1 2 Sex Male Female Total No. of users 150 50 200 % 75 25 100
Educational Qualification of the Respondents The data regarding the qualification wise break up of users is presented in Table 3. It can be interpreted form the table that the maximum users in this category are mainly bachelor degree holders 50%, master degree holders scoring 19.5% from the next highest group followed by those who have below SSS scoring 1.5% Table 3 - Educational qualification of the respondents S. No. Qualification No. of Responses 1 2 3 4 5 SSC ITI/Diploma Intermediate Degree Professional Degree Master degree Not answered Total 3 16 10 100 10 39 2 200 % 1.50 8.00 5.00 50.00 5.00 19.50 1.00 100
The result s of the study is grouped in to four sections as shown below: General Information Age-wise Distribution Respondents It may be observed from the Table 1 that majority of the public library users are between 16-25 years age group representing 47.50% of the total users. The second highest majority of the public library users are in 26-35 years age group scoring 24.50%, 36-45 years age group of users make 16%, 46-55 years age group users make 7% and above 55 years age group from the least in number representing 5% each. Table 1 Age-wise Distribution of Respondents S. No. 1 2 3 4 5 Age 16-25 26-35 36-45 46-55 56 and above Total No. of the response 95 49 32 14 10 200 % 47.50 24.50 16.00 07.00 05.00 100.00
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Different Users Groups of Respondents The different users group of the public library is shown in Table 4. It may be observed from the table that 90%
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45.00 15.50 11.00 28.50 100 Table 6 - Visit to neighborhood public library S. No. Response Type 1 2 Yes No Total Purpose of visit to public library The data regarding the purpose of visits to the public library users is shown in Table 7. Majority of users visits the library for reading and followed by update the general knowledge and for entertainment. Table 7. Purpose of visit to public library S. No. Purpose of Visit 1 2 3 Reading General knowledge Entertainment Others No. of Responses 150 114 60 36 % No. of Responses 180 20 200 %
90 0 100
Mother Tongue of Respondents The data regarding the mother tongue of the public library users is presented in Table 5. Majority of the respondents are belonging to Tamil language. Table 5 - Mother tongue of public library users S. No. Language No. of Responses 185 9 5 1 200 %
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75 57 30 18
Effective use of Library Facilities and Services This section gives brief overview on effective use of library facilities and services such as, the number of users visiting the neighborhood public library, purpose
Frequency of Visit to Library The breakup of frequency of library users by the public library users is as shown in Table 8. Majority of the respondents (39.5%) respondents visits the library occasionally followed by every day.
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Table 8 - Frequency of library visit by the public library users S. No. Frequency of Visit 1 2 3 4 5 Everyday Once in two days Twice in a week Once in a week Occasionally Total No. of Responses 51 28 14 28 79 200 % Table 10. Reading of different kind of material by the public library users S. No. Type of Material Reading 1 2 3 4 5 6 100 7 Magazines Newspapers No. of Responses 126 50 % 63 75 46 32.5 9 14 9.5
E-READING HABITS OF RESPONDENTS This section deals with e-reading habits of users i.e. number of hours spent at home, preference of reading materials, their favorite authors etc. Time spent for e-reading everyday by the public library users The amount of time spent in reading at home every day by the public library users is shown in Table 9. Table 9 - Time spent for e-reading everyday by the public library users S. No. Time Spent 1 2 3 4 an hour 1 hour 2 hours More than 2 hours Total No. of Responses 26 70 40 64 200 % 13 35 20 32 4 100 5 6 Electronic Media and Reading Habits This section presents the analysis of impact of electronic media and reading habits of public library users. Advantage of using the electronic source over books The responses of public library users of using electronic format in comparison with printed format user are shown in Table 11. Table 11 - Advantage of using the electronic Source over books S. No. Type of Responses 1 2 3 Print media is better No. of Responses 26 % 26 (134) 22.39(134) 13.43(134) 21.64(134) 11.20(134) 11.94(134)
Electronic source is better 30 Electronic source is faster and easy search Electronic source is time saving 18 29
Reading of different kind of materials by the public library users A brief list of various types of reading material preferred by public library users is shown in Table 10.
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INTRODUCTION The rapid proliferation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and digital technologies in the last two decades has reshaped the communication, teaching and learning techniques, and the perceptions of learners and instructors towards the access and use of learning objects. Mod ern day learning experience has come a long way beyond pedagogical instructions and face to face interactions. Pupil as well as the instructors are continuously faced by the challenge of
vast subject matter and subject related knowledge put against time constraint. It has become difficult to guide through all information regarding a particular topic with in the four walls of a class room. This is because of the exponential growth of information. To overcome this limitation we need other avenues of knowledge which are easily accessible to the pupils as well as the teacher but at the same time abiding by the student ethics. The panacea to such a medley seems to be e-learning. With the emergence of the internet, e-learning has increasingly become the promising
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METHODOLOGY In this study survey method was adopted and conducted with help of a questionnaire to bring out the clarity for the study. The present study tries to find out the awareness, utilisation and satisfaction level of the post graduate students of different universities of Kerala. The study is conducted on a population of 260 post graduate students of different universities in Kerala. After having received the filled in questionnaires, the data was tabulated and analysed to arrive at the valued findings. The percentage of the total users covered in the study is 91.54. The following universities were selected for the study. University of Kerala Cochin University of Science and Technology University of Calicut Kannur University
THE BREAKUP OF THE POPULATION The total number of 260 questionnaires was distributed among the postgraduate students, in which 160 questionnaires were distributed for science students and 100 questionnaires for Non-science students .Only146 questionnaires were returned from science students out of 160 and 92 from Non-science students out of 100
questionnaires. Category Science Non-science Total Questionnaires Distributed 160 100 260 Questionnaires Received 146 92 238 % 91.25 92 91.54
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Total No 238
% 100 100
Table 1 provides data about the awareness of students about e-learning. It shows that cent per cent of students are aware about e-learning and its usage. Mode of Learning Table 2: Mode of learning Opinion E-learning Class room learning E-learning with Total Science No % 38 26.03 14 9.59 Category of Students Non-science No % 24 26.09 30 38 92 32.61 41.30 100
Table 2 shows that 64.38 per cent of science students and 41.30 per cent of the non-science students are of the opinion that e-learning with class room learning is more preferred mode of learning. Use of E -learning platform Table 3: Use of e-learning Platform Opinion Yes No Science No % 146 100 Category of Students Non-science No % 92 100 -
Total No 238 -
% 100
Table 3 reveals that hundred per cent of the students (science and non-science) are using platforms of e-learning.
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Table 4 shows why e-learning is preferred by the students than other learning methods. A good number of science students (46.58%) and non-science students (45.65%) students prefer e -learning because it is easy to search and retrieve. Figure 2
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Table 5: Purpose of e-learning Opinion Science No For getting subject information 70 % 47.94 19.18 26.03 6.85 100 Category of Students Non-science No % 34 44 14 92 36.96 47.82 15.22 100
To gain current and general information 28 Fro seminar presentations For the completion of assignments Total 38 10 146
Table 5 demonstrates the various purposes of e-learning among students. Science students (28.76%) mainly use eresources for getting subject information and about half of non-science students (47.82 %) are using e- resources to gain current and general information. Frequency of e -learning usage
Table 6: Frequency of e learning usage Opinion Science No Daily Once in a week Twice in a week Occasionally Total 30 36 62 18 146 % 20.54 24.66 42.47 12.33 100 38 32 6 92 Category of Students Non-science No % 16 17.39 41.30 34.79 6.52 100 No 46 74 94 24 238 Total % 19.33 31.09 39.50 10.08 100
Table 6 reveals the frequency of e learning among students. A good number of science students are engaged in e learning twice in a week whereas a good number of non-science students are engaged in e -learning once in a week.
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Table 7:Level of satisfaction in using e-learning platforms Opinion Science No Highly satisfied Partially Satisfied Least satisfied Total 12 124 10 146 % 8.22 84.93 6.85 100 Category of Students Non-science No % 18 68 6 92 19.57 73.91 6.52 100
Table7 shows the level of satisfaction derived through e- learning. A large majority of science (84.93%) and nonscience students (73.91%) are partially satisfied with the facilities available for e-learning.
Table 8:Use of different electronic information sources for e-learning Opinion Science No Internet E journals E books CD ROMs Others Total 74 60 4 8 146 2.74 5.48 100 % 50.68 41.10 Category of Students Non-science No % 36 42 2 12 92 13.04 100 39.13 45.65 2.17
Total No 110 102 2 4 20 238 % 46.22 42.86 0.84 1.68 8.40 100
Table 8 shows the use of different electronic information sources in e-learning. About half of science students (50.68%) use mostly internet among different electronic information sources and a good number of non-science students (45.65%) mostly depend on e-journals for e-learning.
23
28 0 10 146
Table 9 reveals the various problems in using e- learning platforms. It can be observed from the table that lack of required data base is the main problem faced by the science students where as difficulty in accessing full text is the main problem faced by the non-science students. Major Findings of the Study: All the students (science and non-science) are aware about e-learning and its usage. Majority of the science and non-science students are of the opinion that e-learning with class room learning is more preferred mode of learning. All the students are using platforms of e-learning. A good number of science and non-science students prefer e -learning because it is easy to search and retrieve. Science students mainly use e- resources for getting subject information and about half of nonscience students are using e- resources to gain current and general information. A good number of science students are engaged in e -learning twice in a week whereas a good number of non-science students are engaged in elearning once in a week. A large majority of science and Non-science
students are only partially satisfied with e -resources available for e-learning. About half of science students use mostly internet among different electronic information sources and a good number of non-science students mostly depend on e-journals. Lack of required data base is the main problem faced by the science students where as difficulty in accessing full text is the main problem faced by the non-science students.
SUGGESTIONS Some of the suggestions received by the respondents are: Infrastructural facilities which supports e-learning have to be improved in universities. Wi-Fi facility should be provided in the university campus. Adequate number of e-resources in full text has to be provided. User training should be given for the proper utilization of e-resources. Fast internet facility has to be provided in libraries