E-resources: use and search strategies adopted by users of Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the most popular places, gadgets, searching tools and techniques adopted by users of Dr Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (DYSPUH & F), Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, while searching electronic information resources (EIRs). Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted with the help of a structured questionnaire used as a data collection tool. Findings – It is found that department/office chamber (42 per cent), hostel (29 per cent) and home (26 per cent) prove to be the most popular places of access. Majority of users use laptops to access and read EIRs. Among all popular platforms, users of DYSPUH & F library prefer to use “search engines”, and “Google” proves to be the number one search engine. Majority of users search the information through “title” followed by “keywords/subject terms”. The users are not yet well-versed with most of the advanced search techniques, as less than half of them are able to use only Boolean operators, and less than 10 per cent of them claim to know other search techniques. Majority of users have learnt to use information search and retrieval skills through self-study. Research limitations/implications – Only one agricultural university of northern India was surveyed; hence, the results cannot be generalised for the entire northern region of the country. Practical implications – The findings will help the library authorities to see what are the prime areas of concern so far as the search discourse and accessibility of e-resources is concerned. Originality/value – No such survey has been conducted in the University till date.