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Purpose: This empirical study aims to measure the performance of electronic service quality and related infrastructure in a state university library and suggests the strategies for further improvement based on this study. Design/methodology/approach: The data collection was done through a survey questionnaire based on the 22 attributes of four e-Service quality dimensions rated on five-point Likert scale. The sample population consisted of 239 respondents comprising of different categories of users of university library. Findings: The results of this study indicated that all four dimensions rated by the users fell between mean score 3 to 4 (good), the highest score was received in dimension online public access catalogue (OPAC) and internet service with followed by Library website, Library electronic equipment's and e-User education. Out of total 22 e-Service quality attributes, none of the attributes received score above 4 (excellent), which indicates that still university library need to improve the current performance of e-Service quality and to take remedial steps to enhance the existing e-services and infrastructure. Practical implications: Findings from this study could assist university library authority to sustain and enhance performance of e-Services that could achieve the core journey of the modern university libraries. Originality/value: This study was the first endeavour for measurement of the performance of e-Service quality and related infrastructure of federal university libraries in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to assess the university libraries in North East India regarding their initiatives towards open access movement and conceptualize a model for Open Access Initiatives (OAI). Approach, Design and Methodology: Surveyed and identified all the universities in the eight states of North East India. Covered 11 central, 5 state and 4 private universities to understand open access initiatives taken up by them in their respective libraries collecting data through a semi-structurally designed questionnaire. Using statistical techniques, data have been analyzed to draw empirical conclusions. Findings: The study have revealed various issues associated with the libraries regarding their automation status, digitization process, different motives towards OA, establishment of institutional repositories, challenges and many more. The need for having a model for OAI for all the libraries of the region has been felt. Came out with a proposed model for OAI having eight phases comprising mainly of rejuvenation of library system, digitization, digital archiving, OA publications, constitution of a committee, etc. However, acceptability of the model by the libraries of the region needs to be taken care of by the concerned universities. Originality/value: The study is first of its kind in the area of open access initiatives taken up in the region. Findings provide a new vista for the university libraries, which are added feature in the context of the stock of the existing knowledge in the field. The conceptualized OAI model is a new proposal the acceptability of which being rest with the universities concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction-This paper discussed the need of performance audit through LibQUAL+ technique in University Library users in West Bengal, India. LibQUAL+ Technique is developed by Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in the year 2000. It is a suite of services that libraries use to solicit, track, understand, and act upon users' opinions of service quality. In this paper, an attempt has been made to measure the performance of Burdwan University Library and Visva-Bharati Library Users through LibQUAL+ technique. Comparative study of each dimension that is Library as a Place (LP), Information Control (IC) and Affect of Service (AS), Adequacy Gap (AG), Superiority Gap (SG) and Zone of Tolerance has been determined. This technique has been applied to know what library users saying about the performance of the library. Methods-To conduct of this study a large variety of data-gathering and analysis techniques have been adopted such as surveys, interviews, observations, etc. of the users of both the libraries. Findings-Visva-Bharati Library (VBL) performs better in all respect than Burdwan University Library (BUL) specially overall library performance of VBL (3.20 mean score) where as BUL (3.34 mean score) in West Bengal, India. Suggestions-Library authority should concentrate whether minimum service levels are available to users, what their desired service levels are but what they are getting (perceived) at this moment. Faculty, scholars and students opinion (feedback & suggestions) regarding library services have to take regular interval i.e. quarterly, half-yearly or yearly. Besides that, authority of university library should always promote introduction of new services to the academic community through notification as well as put it library website or university website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has affected the libraries to the great extent. Libraries use ICT to maintain housekeeping operations, services, uniformity and extension of library facilities. University libraries of Rajasthan (India) are using computer and associated technology for library activities. This study attempts to reveal the basic infrastructure, use, and privation during the implementation of ICT in University libraries of Rajasthan. The data have been collected using the survey method. The paper encompasses the information about the staff, collection, financial sources, hardware, software, networking infrastructure, housekeeping operations, user's services, training and problems areas encountered during implementation of ICT in university libraries. It is revealed that ICT activities are under developing stage in the university libraries of Rajasthan. The lack of basic management and proper planning and frequently change in ICT are the basic hurdles for successful implementation and development of ICT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature about oriental manuscript collections in India and provide an overview of the area. Design/methodology/approach – A core set of literature on oriental manuscript collections in India was retrieved after doing a thorough literature search in different databases. Literature on various aspects of this topic was reviewed. The paper is organized based on various themes to make the study fruitful for various sections of society. Findings – Oriental manuscripts are present in different research libraries, university libraries and public libraries in India but university libraries are leading others in preserving these manuscripts, with few exceptions. Manuscripts are available in different oriental languages but mostly in Sanskrit. Every religious sect in India has contributed immensely in collecting and preserving these manuscripts. The contribution of famous kings of Indian history is also enormous in this regard. Research limitations/implications – The review does not claim to be exhaustive, as most sources might have been skipped during the study for their non-availability. Originality/value – This paper provides a concise overview of manuscripts present in different Indian libraries and research institution/universities and provides a valuable entry point to the field of Indian manuscripts for research scholars, information scientists and other interested parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has influenced the libraries for its overall betterment. Libraries use ICT to manage communication facilities, housekeeping operations, user's services, standardization and extension of library activities. University libraries of Madhya Pradesh (MP) are in transition stage in the use of ICT. The study is based on librarians' views and attempts to reveal the real scenario of university libraries of MP as regards to its infrastructure, use and problems to develop and maintain the ICT in libraries. Survey method has been used in the study to find out the present ICT infrastructure in University libraries and use of ICT in terms of communication facilities, collection, hardware, software, networking infrastructure, housekeeping operations, user's services, training and problem areas of the university libraries. The paper concludes that university libraries of MP are in a developing stage in its infrastructure and use of ICT. Lack of proper planning and supervision and frequent change in ICT are the basic hurdles in successful development of ICT in university libraries in MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the information-seeking behavior of science and social science research scholars, including service effectiveness, satisfaction level on different type of sources and various methods adopted by the scholars for keeping up to date. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered using a questionnaire survey of 200, randomly selected, PhD students of science and social science departments of four universities in Kerala, India. Findings – Although similarities exist between social science and science PhD students with regard to information-seeking behavior, there are significant differences as well. There is a significant difference between science and social science scholars on the perception of the adequacy of print journals and database collection which are very relevant to the research purposes. There is no significant difference between science and social science scholars on the perception of the adequacy of e-journals, the most used source for keeping up to date. The study proved that scholars of both the fields are dissatisfied with the effectiveness of the library in keeping them up to date with latest developments. Originality/value – The study is based on actual situation and the result can be used for library service redesign for different types of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]