English

Abstract

Electronic resources have become an important part of a library collection. The value and use of these resources have increased significantly, especially in the prevailing COVID-19pandemic period. The article discusses a study conducted to explore the status of e-resources in select university libraries of Haryana.This study is based on primary data collected using a self-designed questionnaire from three well-established, multi-disciplinary state universities of Haryana, namely Kurukshetra University (KUK), Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), and Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU).The study did find Vivekananda Library of MDU to be equipped with maximum hardware infrastructural facilities as compared to other two university libraries. All the three university libraries are automated and using LIBSYS software. E-ShodhSindhu is subscribed by all the university libraries. Libraries of KUK and MDU provide links of open access databases such as Directory of Open Access Repositories (DOAR), Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and National Digital Library of India (NDLI). MDU library and CDLU library are subscribing maximum e-book databases. E-journals are subscribed on perpetual access basis with archives by libraries of MDU and CDLU. The study further found that all university libraries take the feedback from their users regarding continuation or discontinuation of e-resources. Results of the study also reveal that only MDU library has permanent full-time librarian whereas other two university libraries are looked after by professor-in-charge of their universities, given the additional charge of librarian. The universities’ libraries of Haryana need to subscribe more e-resources and appoint full-time librarian so as to better serve their users in the post COVID-19, new normal situation.