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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the use of e‐journals by the users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University.Design/methodology/approachSurvey research was conducted to access e‐journal use among IIT Delhi and Delhi University users. A stratified random sample method was used for selection of respondents. The survey was conducted through a structured questionnaire taking a random sample of 300 users (PG and PhD) from different disciplines of IIT Delhi and Delhi University libraries and the response rate was 66.66 per cent. The questionnaires were administered personally among the users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University during the survey period (March‐May 2011).FindingsFrom this survey it was found that most of the users are aware of e‐journals and they are not only using them for building and updating their knowledge but also for collecting relevant material for their study and research purposes as information can be acquired expeditiously through e‐journals. The main aim of consulting these journals is for retrieving information regarding research, publishing research papers and manuscripts, assignments, presentations, seminars, and largely to update their own knowledge. However, this study also reveals several inherent problems especially with the use of e‐journals e.g. slow downloading as revealed by maximum IIT Delhi and Delhi University users. Other mechanical deficits like non‐availability of a particular issue, lack of training and limited access to terminals are also present while using e‐journals.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study consists only of e‐journal users of IIT Delhi and Delhi University. The geographical coverage is restricted to Delhi. The responses have been taken from users and the data have been collected during the months of March‐May 2011 only.Practical implicationsThe problem is selected by the investigator to understand the use of e‐journals by IIT Delhi and Delhi University users so that libraries can make further improvement in their e‐journal services depending upon the results and suggestions.Originality/valueThe paper provides suggestions derived from the analysis of data which in turn will help to enhance the use of e‐journal services and fulfill the needs and requirements of users in the libraries of IIT Delhi and Delhi University.

The study explores academics attitudes towards periodicals’ use. A well structured questionnaire was designed to elicit user's response. Responses were gathered by using stratified sampling method having PG students, Research scholars and Faculty members in Central Library IIT Delhi, P.K. Kelkar Library IIT Kanpur and Central Library, Delhi University. A total of 297, 255 and 450 questionnaires were distributed among users of IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur and Delhi University, respectively. Out of which, 240 respondents in IIT Delhi, 219 in IIT Kanpur and 375 respondents in Delhi University responded to the questionnaires. Results of the study revealed that majority of the users make use of periodicals to advance and excel their research curiosity and specialisation. P.G Students are consulting periodicals fortnightly, whereas Research Scholars and Faculty Members are using periodicals on weekly basis as they need to consult them for various research activities. Use of international periodicals is more in IIT Delhi and Kanpur as compared to Delhi University library. An overwhelming majority of users in IIT Delhi, followed by IIT Kanpur and Delhi University experience many problems due to late arrival of periodicals, changes in their periodicity and title, splitting and merging of titles within due course. Maximum number of users in IITs and Delhi University disclosed their need for more print journals in their respective disciplines. In the end, the study provides some suggestions for improving periodical services in libraries of IIT Delhi, Kanpur and Delhi University.