Mr. Sudip BhattacharjeeMLISc Student, DLISc,

Assam University, Silchar - 788011, Assam

 Ms. Sucheta Bhattacharjee

MLISc Student, DLISc, Assam University, Silchar- 788011, Assam

 Dr. Mukut SarmahAssistant Professor, DLISc,

Assam University, Silchar- 788011, Assam

Electronic resources has been revolutionizing the format of the recorded knowledge. Electronic information services are attracting readers’ attention in today’s digital era. E-journals and E-databases bring new challenges before the library and information professionals to give full text access to scholarly publications to its end users. Further subscribing to printed costly journals in different disciplines by individual college libraries has become neither possible nor feasible. Ever-increasing prices of journals accompanied with the shrinking budget of libraries, the college authority /parent bodies are forced to resort to the best alternatives. Electronic-consortia like, N-LIST services provided by INFLIBNET towards the college libraries in the state like Assam is worth mentioning. Here an attempt has been made to present a N-LIST users’ study in the College Libraries of Cachar District.

Assam University (AU) is one of the central universities situated in Southern part of Assam in North Eastern India. The main reason behind the establishment of this university was primarily to attract the students in five districts which are under the jurisdiction of Assam University. It has as many as 57 undergraduate affiliated colleges, which have been trying to meet the intellectual and educational interests in the region. The libraries in these colleges try to cope up with the information explosion as more and more publications are becoming in electronic form. Most of these libraries have changed the traditional methods of information service to modern methods with the application of ICT. The study is based on the college libraries having N-LIST services particularly in Cachar District.

N-LIST consortium is providing access to scholarly literature to the academic libraries particularly college libraries in the country. In order to understand the awareness of the N-LIST users a study has been made with the following objectives:The objectives of the study are:To understand the use pattern and impact of N-LIST Consortium.To ascertain the need for user orientation programme.To measure the frequency of access to the consortium.To know the level of satisfaction among the users.To draw opinions from the users towards N-LIST service.

Survey method has been applied to make the study. Data has been collected by using a questionnaire. Around 90 questionnaires were distributed among the teachers, student and staff of the surveyed college libraries. Out of 57 affiliated colleges of Assam University in the districts of Barak Valley only 9 colleges have been getting N-LIST services from INFLIBNET. Again out of these, only 4 colleges are from Cachar District which are affiliated to Assam University. The study has been conducted in these four libraries only. Out of the respondents a few did not fill in the questionnaire completely. The librarians and users were also interviewed to get the feedback of N-LIST service. The findings of the present study are thus based purely on the responses made in the questionnaire returned by the respondents and the interviews conducted informally.

For the last few years the formation of library consortia has shown steady growth mainly due to the developments in computer and tele-communications. Consortia are no more restricted to the developed countries. Developing countries have also made efforts for formation of library networks and e-consortia mainly due to the radical changes in the functioning of the libraries. The fact that financial crunch in these libraries forced them to find out some sort of cooperation. Many library networks came into existence, such as CALIBNET, DELNET, BONET, MYLIBNET, ADINET, MALIBNET, and so on. Establishment of INFLIBNET by UGC in 1988 gave a real boost to library automation activities in the country.

The advent of Internet has provided the tools to tackle the problems faced earlier mainly the physical movement of information resource which no longer is required. The Indian Astrophysics Consortium called Forum for Resource Sharing in Astronomy (FORSA) is a typical example of homogenous group of members wherein the libraries have common area of interest and establishing the consortium is slightly easier than in heterogeneous type of members. INDEST Consortium is another example for science and technological libraries. UGC-Infonet is an ambitious programme of UGC under INFLIBNET to provide online access to electronic journals and databases in all disciplines to the universities in India. N-LIST is also one of the projects of INFLIBNET specifically designed for the college libraries.

The Project entitled "National Library and Information Services Infrastructure for Scholarly Content (N-LIST)", being jointly executed by the UGC-INFONET Digital Library Consortium, INFLIBNET Centre and the INDEST-AICTE Consortium, IIT Delhi provides for i) cross-subscription to e-resources subscribed by the two Consortia, i.e. subscription to INDEST-AICTE resources for universities and UGCINFONET resources for technical institutions; and ii) access to selected e-resources to colleges. The N-LIST project provides access to e-resources to students, researchers and faculty from colleges and other beneficiary institutions through server(s) installed at the INFLIBNET Centre. The authorized users from colleges can now access e-resources and download articles required by them directly from the publisher's website once they are duly authenticated as authorized users through servers deployed at the INFLIBNET Centre.

The N-LIST project provides access to e-resources to students, researchers and faculty from colleges and other beneficiary institutions through server(s) installed at the INFLIBNET Centre. The authorized users from colleges can access e-resources and download articles or any e-resources required by them directly from the publisher's website. The N-LIST consists with a total number of 1624 colleges have registered themselves including 1101 Govt. / Govt.-aided colleges covered under the 12 B Act of the UGC as on Feb 16 2011. All e-resources subscribed for colleges under the N-LIST Project are now accessible to these 1101 colleges through the N-LIST website. Colleges will have access to electronic resources subscribed by the N-LIST Digital Library consortium or its member collegess as well as few selected e-resources that were found most appropriate for colleges including e-journals and e-books. These resources include more than 2100 e-journals and 51,000 e-books.

Cachar College [Assam University], Address: Trunk Road Silchar, Assam, 788001,

Gurucharan College, Silchar [Assam University], Address: Silchar-4,College Road PO Silchar,Cachar, Assam,

Women's College , Silchar [Assam University], Address: Shyamaprasad Road, Carhar Silchar, Assam, 788001.

Radhamadhab College [Assam University], Address: Raghunath Road, Sonai Road Silchar, Assam, 788006.

SRIKISHAN SARDA COLLEGE [Assam University, Silchar], Address: COLLEGE ROAD HAILAKANDI, ASSAM, 788151.

Karimganj College. [Assam University], Address: Karimganj, Assam, 788710.

Nabinchandra College, Badarpur [Assam university], Address: PO Badanpur Karimganj, Assam, 788806.

Rabindrasashan Girls' College [Assam University], Address: Karimganj, Assam, 788710.

Lala Rural College [Assam University], Address: P.O. Lala, Hailakandi, Assam, 788163.   

The categories of N-LIST users under the study in four college libraries are of three kinds: Students, Teachers and Staff. The percentages of different category of users are 26%, 56% and 18% respectively. While visiting the libraries for the survey highest number of teachers were found available in the college. Respondents were randomly selected and survey was made. presents the number of different category of users.

Percentage of Respondents under Different Categories

Gender of the Respondents

Out of the ninety respondents 44% of the respondents are female and 56% of the respondents are male.

Frequency of Library Visit:

Frequency of the library visit has been observed. It is found that 37% of users visit the library daily. There are also some users who visit the library monthly and sometimes the percentage of which is 19% and 7% respectively.

Awareness on N-LIST:

The awareness on N-LIST service of the library was studied. It was found that only 30% of the users are aware about the N-LIST service of the their library. More than fifty percent i.e., 59% of the users are not at all aware about the service. Eleven percent of the users do not have any idea about it.

Satisfaction of Users on N-LIST

N-LIST users have their different satisfaction level. Some are satisfied and some are not all satisfied. Figure reveals that only 16% of the users are satisfied on N-LIST service. 57% of the respondents did not respond to the question.

Fulfilment of Required Journals

Respondents were asked to respond to a query on fulfilment of requirement of journals through N-LIST. Highest number of users i.e., 74% users mentioned that the e-journals can not meet their requirements. Only 10% of users are satisfied with the journals

Frequency of Access to N-LIST Journals

The frequency of Access to N-LIST was studied. Figure 5 reveals that there is no everyday user in any of the surveyed colleges. Most of the users did not put any comment on the access the N-LIST resources.

Academic libraries particularly the college libraries play a great role to the development of educational, social and cultural activities of a nation. The library is integral part of the academic mission of a college. The present study reveals that there is increased acceptance of electronic journals by the college community and users in the present environment in which the N-LIST has to play a significant role to assist academic community. Major problems encountered by the users toward access to e-consortium are lack of awareness. Users’ study should be conducted from time to time by the library staff so that the problems encountered could be resolved according to users’ requirements.

The infrastructure facilities should be enhanced for the better utilization of N-LIST E-Journals. The college library can enhance its reputation by providing access to e-resources and services to a great extent. The college libraries in Barak Valley must seek for N-LIST membership from INFLIBNET and make a wide publicity among the users for the optimum utilisation of the service.

1  Anandaram Dhekial Phookan College,Nagaon [Gauhati University], [DOR: 31-12-2009]    Address: South Haiborgaon,RRB Road, P.O. Haiborgaon Nagaon, Assam, 782002  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

2  Assam Engineering College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Ialukbari Gauhati, Assam, 781013  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 28-05-2010

3  B.H.B. College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 06-03-2010]    Address: Sarupeta Barpeta, Assam, 781318  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 07-04-2010

4  Bapuji College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 23-11-2010]    Address: Sarthebari Barpeta, Assam, 781307  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 29-11-2010

5  Bihpuria College [Dibrugarh Universityq], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: P.O. Bihpuria Dist: Lakhimpur, Assam,   [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

6  Cachar College [Assam University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Trunk Road Silchar, Assam, 788001  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

7  Chaiduar College, Sonitpur [Gauhati University], [DOR: 10-09-2009]    Address: Gohpur Sonitpur, Assam, 784168  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 08-03-2010

8  Commerce College, Kokrajhar [Gauhati University], [DOR: 17-11-2009]    Address: Kokrajhar B.T.C., Assam, 783370  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 28-05-2010

9  Cotton College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 17-06-2009]    Address: Hem Barua Road, Pan Bazar Guwahati, Assam, 781001  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 06-05-2010

10  Dhemaji College [Dibrugarh Univesity], [DOR: 16-09-2010]    Address: Dhemaji Dhemaji, Assam, 787057  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 20-09-2010

11  Dispur College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 11-08-2010]    Address: Ganeshguri Dispur, Assam, 781006  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 20-08-2010

12  DOOM DOOMA COLLEGE [DIBRUGARH UNIVERSITY], [DOR: 07-09-2010]    Address: PO. RUPAI SIDING TINSUKIA, Assam, 786153  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 09-09-2010

13  Duliajan College [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 21-01-2011]    Address: Duliajan College Duliajan, Assam, 786602  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 27-01-2011

14  Gauhati Commerce College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 23-12-2010]    Address: R G Baruah Road GUWAHATI,, Assam, 781021  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 27-12-2010

15  Gossaigaon College, Gossaigaon [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: P.O Gossaigaon, BTAD Kokrajhar, Assam, 783360  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

16  Govt. Banikanta College of Teacher Education [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Lachit Nagar Gauhati, Assam, 781007  [.]     Status: [Not Eligible]

17  Gurucharan College, Silchar [Assam University], [DOR: 08-06-2009]    Address: Silchar-4,College Road PO Silchar,Cachar, Assam, 788004  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-05-2010

18  Guwahati College [Gauhati University,Guwahati], [DOR: 10-01-2011]    Address: Bamunimaidan Guwahati, Assam, 781021  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 13-01-2011

19  Handique Girl's College, Gauhati-1 [Gauhati University], [DOR: 14-06-2009]    Address: Guwahati Guwahati, Assam, 781001  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 02-07-2010

20  Hojai College, Hojai [Guwahati Univerasity], [DOR: 10-09-2009]    Address: PO Hojai Nagaon, Assam, 782435  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

21  JDSG College [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 22-03-2010]    Address: Bokakhat Bokakhat, Assam, 785612  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 07-04-2010

21  K R B Girl's College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Fatashil, P.O. Bharalumukh Guwahati, Assam, 781009  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

23  K. C. Das Commerce College [Gauhati University, Guwahati], [DOR: 25-02-2010]    Address: Chatribari Guwahati, Assam, 781008  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 15-07-2010

24  Karimganj College. [Assam University], [DOR: 10-09-2009]    Address: Karimganj, Assam, 788710  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 08-03-2010

25  KHOIRABARI COLLEGE [GAUHATI UNIVERSITY], [DOR: 10-01-2011]    Address: P.O.:- KHOIRABARI, DIST.:- UDALGURI(B.T.A.D.), ASSAM UDALGURI, Assam, 784522  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 10-01-2011

26  Lakhimpur Commerce College [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 07-12-2010]    Address: North Lakhimpur Lakhimpur, Assam, 787001  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 14-12-2010

27  Lala Rural College [Assam University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: P.O. Lala, Hailakandi, Assam, 788163  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

28  Lalit Chandra bharali College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Maligaon Guwahati, Assam, 781011  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

29  Lumding College, Nagaon [Gauhati University], [DOR: 10-09-2009]    Address: Lumding Nagaon, Assam, 782447  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

30  Mariani College [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 08-10-2009]    Address: P.O. Mariani Dist -Jorhat, Assam, 785634  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 18-08-2010

31  MDK GIRLS' COLLEGE [DIBRUGARH UNIVERSITY], [DOR: 17-03-2010]    Address: KADOMONI DIBRUGARH, ASSAM, 786001  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 07-04-2010

32  Moirabari College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 20-11-2009]    Address: Dist- Morigaon, Assam, 782126  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

33  Moran College [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 27-02-2010]    Address: Moranhat Sivasagar, Assam, 785670  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 25-05-2010

34  Moridhal College [Dibrugarh University, Assam], [DOR: 16-07-2009]    Address: Moridhal Dhemaji, Assam, 787057  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 08-06-2010

35  Nabinchandra College, Badarpur [Assam university], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: PO Badanpur Karimganj, Assam, 788806  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

36  NAZIRA COLLEGE [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 12-11-2009]    Address: BOARDING ROAD,NAZIRA SIVASAGAR, ASSAM, 785685  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010  

37  Nowgong College [Arts, Science and Commerce under G.U], [DOR: 08-10-2009]    Address: Nagaon , Assam,   [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 20-04-2010

38  Pandu College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 10-09-2009]    Address: Pandu Pandu,Guwahati, Assam, 781012  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

39  Puthimari College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2010]    Address: Someswar Kamrup, Assam, 781382  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 16-09-2010

40  R G Baruah College [Guwahatu University], [DOR: 10-09-2009]    Address: Fatasil Ambari Guwahati, Assam, 781025  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

41  Rabindrasashan Girls' College [Assam University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Karimganj, Assam, 788710  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 08-03-2010

42  Radhamadhab College [Assam University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Raghunath Road, Sonai Road Silchar, Assam, 788006  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

43  Regional College of Higher Education [North Eastern Hill University, Shillong], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: Dargah Road, Hatigaon Dispur Gauhati, Assam, 781038  [.]     Status: [Not Eligible]

44  S. B. Deorah College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 22-06-2010]    Address: G S Road, Ulubari Guwahati, Assam, 781007  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 02-07-2010

45  SIBSAGAR GIRLS COLLEGE [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 18-01-2011]    Address: SIBSAGAR GIRLS COLLEGE SIVASAGAR, Assam, 785640  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 25-01-2011

46  Silchar Medical College & Hospital, Silchar [Assam University], [DOR: 21-07-2009]    Address: P.O SMC Silchar, Assam, 788014  [.]     Status: [Not Eligible]

47  SRIKISHAN SARDA COLLEGE [Assam University, Silchar], [DOR: 19-11-2009]    Address: COLLEGE ROAD HAILAKANDI, ASSAM, 788151  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 08-03-2010

48  Sualkuchi Burdram Madhab Satradhikar College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 31-01-2011]    Address: Sualkuchi, Kamrup Dist. Sualkuchi, Assam, 781103     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 02-02-2011

49  Suran Das College [Gauhati University], [DOR: 09-09-2009]    Address: P.O. Hajo Dist- Kamrup, Assam, 781102  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 17-03-2010

50  The Sibsagar College, Joysagar [Dibrugarh University], [DOR: 08-06-2009]    Address: PO Joysagar,Dist. Sivasagar Assam, Assam, 785665  [.]     Status: 2F/12B [Access Enabled]     Usernames and Passwords have been sent to Principal on Date: 08-03-2010