Minor Research Project

USE OF N-LIST RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN THE AFFILIATED COLLEGES OF MANGALORE UNIVERSITY IN DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT

by: 

Dr. Vasappa Gowda Selection Grade Librarian

BESANT EVENING COLLEGE MANGALORE-575 003 KARNATAKA

Executive Summary

Keywords:N-LIST, Information resources, E-resources, College libraries, User satisfaction.

The role of libraries in providing widespread access to information is widely acknowledged. In the modern days, libraries maintain both print and electronic information resources. The electronic resources are the boon to the higher education system which helps for teaching, research and publications. Now-a-days the providing information resources in the electronic form are need of the hour. This helps for the faster access to the latest publications. In India for the University and College libraries, the INFLIBNET center is providing the e-resources through its E-ShodhSindhu and N-LIST consortia. The N-LIST is the database developed by INFLIBNET exclusively to the College libraries at a concessional rate. The N-LIST contains a huge amount of e-journals and e-books to facilitate students, faculty members and researchers at the college level.Whenever a new system is introduced, naturally the users face problems while using it. The present study has been undertaken with a view to know the scenario of N-LIST Programme implementation and status of the ICT and internet literacy skills amongst the faculty members of affiliated colleges of Mangalore University in Dakshina Kannada district to access resources available under N-LIST. This helps to know the expectations and perceptions of the faculty members. The study was carried out in five phases. The first phase related to the review of literature. The phase two was dedicated to identification of N-LIST subscribing colleges in Mangalore University. In the third phase the questionnaire for the college librarians was prepared and the data was collected about the facilities available and services provided. The phase four concentrated on construction of questionnaire and data collection from the faculty members who are the respondents and the phase five was related to data analysis, interpretation and presentation of findings and preparation of final report.Survey method has been adopted for data collection. There are 130 affiliated colleges Mangalore University in Dakshina Kannada district. Out of which 27 colleges are subscribing to N-LIST. The purposive sampling survey method was applied and 144 responses are received from the faculty members and the data was analysed and presented in the report. During the data collection, the interview and observation method also followed to clarify the doubts. On the basis of filled up questionnaire received from the respondents, data has been analyzed and tabulated using SPSS Software.The study highlighted the findings in respect of demographic profile of colleges, faculty members’ frequency of use of N-LIST, use pattern and their expectations from N-LIST, the problems they face and the training requirements of the users. Besides this, some suggestions and recommendations to solve the problems for non-implementation of N-LIST Programme and underutilization of e-resources have also been presented in brief.