Research Scholar, Dep. of Library & Information Science, Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India.
Abstract
This study explores the preferences and usage patterns of information sources among engineering college users, with a particular focus on the Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology library, Delhi. A survey of 252 respondents, including undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as faculty members, was conducted to analyse their preferences for print and digital resources. The results reveal a growing inclination towards digital resources, particularly e-books and online journals, among undergraduates, while faculty and postgraduate users favour academic databases for research purposes. The study identifies key factors influencing these preferences, such as accessibility, relevance and cost. Based on the findings, the article suggests expanding digital collections, improving access to academic databases, enhancing library interfaces and offering targeted user training to meet diverse academic needs and improve user satisfaction.
Keywords: Library Resources, Information Source Preferences, Digital Resources, Academic Databases, Engineering Colleges, User Satisfaction, Maharaja Agrasen Institute, Print Resources, Academic Libraries
View PDF