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‘Service Quality’ and its influence in Library and Information Science discipline are spectacular when studied intensively. In this study, researchers adopted the Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards review method and introduced a novel Initialization, Conceptualization, Actualisation) (ICA) framework for meta-narrative studies. This method would act as a boon particularly to the existing methods of conducting meta-narrative studies in social sciences in general and library sciences in particular. A total of 49 research articles were selected from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases, covering a span of 5 years, that is, 2015–2019, published in the domain of library service quality. An extensive in-depth analysis of selected publications was carried out under seven categories (i.e. library, library services, quality, ServQUAL, LibQUAL+, user satisfaction and users’ expectations), which were generated using the VOS-Viewer software and ‘Review Tags’ (manually generated using OneNote). The seven categories further identify a total of 27 sub-categories. The quantitative findings revealed that all the 49 reviewed publications were published in 27 journals. All the journals have been indexed in the Scopus database, whereas 15 journals containing the remaining 22 publications are indexed in both WoS and Scopus databases. This study unfolds a transverse trend in library service quality. It would be beneficial for the library managers to sustain libraries’ service quality and set a benchmark in the said field.

The purpose of this paper is to study the scattered behaviour of the overall published output of library service quality literature. Different parameters have been taken into consideration to analy...

The objective of this study is to examine people's attitudes towards fake news and tactics to counter disinformation in India. A national survey through an online questionnaire was conducted through which 200 respondents recruited in the study through snowball sampling technique. The results of the study disclose that more than 90% of the participants perceive that fake news poses a threat, and 78.5% see fake news as harming democracy. Religious harmony and voting decisions are the topmost areas of public life which are mostly targeted by fake news in India. Conspicuously, the top three agents creating and disseminating fake news are politicians, political parties, and journalists. The study's findings provide an insight into countering fake news in India. This study is useful to government agencies in formulating policies related to fake news.

In times of global health emergency and nation-wide lockdown due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the smooth functioning of the academic system has been poorly affected or suspended in India from the middle of March 2020. However, the entire operations of libraries are compensating with the applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs). In this chapter, the authors adopted the mixed-method approach, which brings out the methods, policies initiated by libraries in 'new normal', and to know the status of library operations during the lockdown. Authors mapped out the experiences of professionals during 'work from home'. Findings of the chapter show that the libraries are struggling to sustain their services to cater to the needs of the university students whose academics has been shoddily affected. Further, it reveals that majority of the respondents have adopted unique initiatives and precautionary measures in the 'new normal'. The librarians call themselves 'information warriors' which showed an optimistic attitude while struggling in an unprecedented situation.

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.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which research scholars at Central Science Library, University of Delhi are aware and make use of e‐journals.Design/methodology/approachA survey was designed to collect basic information about the level of use of electronic journals as well as other factors contributing to and associated with their use. A well‐structured questionnaire was administered among research scholars to collect the necessary primary data, keeping in view the objectives of the study.FindingsThe findings clearly reveal that more than 60 per cent of users in the Central Science Library are using e‐journals weekly for the purpose of research. Printed journals are consulted by the majority of users compared with e‐journals. Keyword is the most popular search method for searching e‐journals among research scholars, whereas the date of publication carries the least percentage among all the options. However, if is found that slow downloading of PDF files is the major problem that would discourage users while using e‐journals.Research limitations/implicationsThe present paper consists only of e‐journal users and the geographical area is restricted to the CSL at the University of Delhi. The scope of the paper could be extended to additional centrally funded universities. An intra‐comparative study could also be made between some select central and state universities for users of e‐journals.Originality/valueThere are a number of studies on the use of e‐journals, but this is the first of its kind within Delhi University. As such, it should pave the way for research in other Indian universities as well as elsewhere.

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.