Usage of E-Resources available under INDEST-AICTE consortium by library users of NIT, Silchar, Assam

This present study has been conceived to study the status of usage of E-Resources available under INDEST-AICTE Consortium by the Library Users of NIT, Silchar. Descriptive Research Method (Case Study of NIT Library Users) was adopted using self designed questionnaire incorporating some modification from the previous study conducted on usage of e-resources available under UGC-INFONET Digital Library Consortium by Sinha (2010) [1]. The study was conducted on NIT Library Users which comprises of faculty members, Research Scholars, UG and PG Students perusing Engineering and Management Courses. The study comprises of administration of questionnaires to the participants for knowing their skills in accessing information/e-resources for their academic and research activities. Altogether 180 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and 132 responses were received. The study was conducted during the period February to June 2013. The data collected from the administered questionnaire were analysed, tabulated and represented in graphical form using Microsoft Excel. The study shows that most of the respondents are aware of the INDEST-Consortium and are using e-resources, mainly the e-journals, frequently for seeking information. While analyzing data, it has been found that maximum users are using equally printed and electronic resources for their academic purposes. It is interesting to note that majority of users under study prefer e-resources while only a few of them prefer printed resources. Majority of respondents have suggested that the authority should provide adequate Internet Terminals with high speed of bandwidth for optimum utilisation of e-resources available under INDEST-AICTE Consortia.