Utilisation of Periodicals Services of IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur and Delhi University Libraries: A Survey

Abstract

The study explores academics attitudes towards periodicals’ use. A well structured questionnaire was designed to elicit user's response. Responses were gathered by using stratified sampling method having PG students, Research scholars and Faculty members in Central Library IIT Delhi, P.K. Kelkar Library IIT Kanpur and Central Library, Delhi University. A total of 297, 255 and 450 questionnaires were distributed among users of IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur and Delhi University, respectively. Out of which, 240 respondents in IIT Delhi, 219 in IIT Kanpur and 375 respondents in Delhi University responded to the questionnaires. Results of the study revealed that majority of the users make use of periodicals to advance and excel their research curiosity and specialisation. P.G Students are consulting periodicals fortnightly, whereas Research Scholars and Faculty Members are using periodicals on weekly basis as they need to consult them for various research activities. Use of international periodicals is more in IIT Delhi and Kanpur as compared to Delhi University library. An overwhelming majority of users in IIT Delhi, followed by IIT Kanpur and Delhi University experience many problems due to late arrival of periodicals, changes in their periodicity and title, splitting and merging of titles within due course. Maximum number of users in IITs and Delhi University disclosed their need for more print journals in their respective disciplines. In the end, the study provides some suggestions for improving periodical services in libraries of IIT Delhi, Kanpur and Delhi University.