Abstract
This chapter deals with the purpose of library resources and services stratification of users of Alagappa University. Users are the most vital component of libraries. Alagappa University Central Library provided the various types of services in RFID, Web OPAC, SMS and e-mail alerts, ETD, DLNET service, mobile-based digital services, etc. The study covers 76 scholars out of 82 questionnaires distributed. The questionnaires were distributed in 10 departments in the Faculty of Arts in Alagappa University. The statistical techniques used for the analysis of data are the frequency, cross tables, descriptive statistics. This chapter describes the use of resources and services, library services, services provided to the users, e-resources access at Alagappa University, scope and limitations of the study, and objectives for using the resources and services. Alagappa University research scholars mostly used the library resources and services.
TopIntroduction
The Central Library of Alagappa University was started in 1987 and shifted to the present building in 1990. The Library collection includes one lakh volumes of printed books, subscriptions to 149 printed periodicals, 492 items of non-book materials, and 1446 volumes of theses in print form. Access to 6242+ numbers of online journals and 1, 31,000+ numbers of e-theses are also available. The mode of access is Open Access. The Library caters mainly to the needs of Post Graduate Students, Research Scholars, Faculties and other Staff of the University. The Library provides Long Range and Short-Range Reference Services to the users including Current Awareness Service, Selective Dissemination of Information Service, Subject Bibliography, and Reprographic Service. As an extension activity, many of the Library services are extended to the students and faculties of affiliated colleges and as well as to the Distance Education students of Alagappa University.
Library operations are mostly computerized especially circulation of books and cataloguing. Currently RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) based Library Management System is implemented in the current year. This has made possible a User friendly self-checkout and self-check-in options, web based OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) and smart payment facility for overdue charges.
Library Services
Academic library plays a vital role in teaching and learning of an academic institution. Its aims are to collect, process, preserved and disseminate documents and information to serve the user community. In order to make the resources available to its users easily and conveniently different types of facilities and services are being rendered from the Central Library, Alagappa University on a regular basis. Orientation programmers’ are organized in the library inviting new batch of students, research scholars, newly recruited faculty and staff member department wise. However, instructions on different techniques of accessing, browsing retrieving electronic resources are regular activity in the library which is offered to the users when asked for as well as when the need is observed. A website is also maintained for this purpose. Library online resources are available 24×7 on a 10mbps Internet speed. The Central Library is kept open on all the days of the year, except on Public Holidays (approximately 340 days in a year). The working hours are, on weekdays from 8-00A.M to 8.00 P.M., and during weekends from 10-00 A.M. to 5-00 P.M. The facilities and services offered to user in Alagappa University are as follows:
Services Provided to the Users
- 1.
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) based Library Management System services
- 2.
Web OPAC, SMS & e-mail alerts
- 3.
ETD (Electronic Theses and Dissertations) – Shodhganga (UGC-Inflibnet)
- 4.
E-resources access through e-shodhSindhu (UGC-Inflibnet)
- 5.
E-books access
- 6.
DELNET service (Inter Library Lending and Document Delivery Service)
- 7.
Anti-plagiarism Check
- 8.
Bibliographic compilation
- 9.
Display of current events/information
- 10.
Institutional Repository Service
- 11.
Internet Browsing / Online Resources
- 12.
Live News facility
- 13.
Newspaper Clipping
- 14.
Reference (including CAS / SDI services)
- 15.
Reprographic Service
- 16.
User Orientation/ Information Literacy
- 17.
Mobile based Digital Service
E-Resources Access At Alagappa University
See Table 1.
Key Terms in this Chapter
World Digital Library (WDL): Makes available on the Internet, free of charge and in multilingual format, significant primary materials from countries and cultures around the world.
Internet: The Internet is a collection of computers that share information. Home users commonly use a phone modem, cable modem, or DSL connection to connect to the Internet. An Internet Service Provider (ISP) connects the home user to other computers.
Database: A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated. Data is organized into rows, columns, and tables, and it is indexed to make it easier to find relevant information.
OpenStax: A non-profit digital ecosystem serving millions of users per month in the delivery of free educational content to improve learning outcomes.
WikiEducator: A community project working collaboratively with the Free Culture Movement towards a free version of the education curriculum by 2015. Driven by the learning for development agenda WikiEducator is developing free content for use in schools, polytechnics, universities, vocational education institutions and informal education settings.
OER: Commons was created as a network for teaching and learning materials, the web site offers engagement with resources in the form of social bookmarking, tagging, rating, and reviewing.