Use of Open Access Sources of Information in Agricultural Libraries of Northern India

Abstract

Purpose – The paper aims to assess the level of awareness about open access sources of information (OASI) among users of agricultural libraries in northern India and to analyze the impact of this type of information source in catering the information needs of the users.
Design/Methodology/Approach – Survey method was adopted for the study in which Seven sampled universities were surveyed by using questionnaire as a data collection tool. The data collection procedure was further supplemented through the telephonic/ e-mail communications and face to face interactions with the respondents for collection of timely and prompt responses and removing ambiguities thereof. Data analysis and statistical tests were carried out using SPSS statistical package for drawing results and inferences on empirical basis.
Findings – The level of awareness regarding the use of open access sources of information is quite encouraging in the studied libraries but on the contrary the users are not seen much interested in their use. The majority of respondents are able to satisfy only about 20 to 25 percent of their potential information need by using this type of information source.
Research Limitations – The facts can be re-explored at a deeper level by adopting other methodologies like that of log analysis, citation analysis and the analysis of data collected through un-intervening personal observation of actual usage.
Originality/value – The paper is the first ordered and thorough attempt to analyze the user perception of OASI in north Indian agricultural libraries. The findings of the study will be useful towards establishing the futuristic approach about OASI.