Enhancing Digital Access
A Study of Infrastructure Facilities in Agricultural University Libraries of Karnataka
Keywords:
Agriculture University Libraries, CeRA, Information and Communication Technology, Krishikosh, Online Information Resourcces, ONOSAbstract
The study assesses the accessibility, quality, and infrastructure challenges associated with accessing
Online Information Resources (OIRs) at agricultural university libraries in Karnataka. A
standardized questionnaire was used to collect data from 150 research scientists and librarians at
six Agricultural University Libraries in Karnataka. The findings show that all the libraries use
library management systems, and UAS Raichur and UAS Bangalore are the leading database
providers. Some of the most common issues include a lack of funding, expensive membership
fees, and insufficient user training in some institutions. Scholars are well-versed in OIR, with 88%
aware of the items they have subscribed to. The study concludes that while the infrastructure is
generally adequate, there are gaps in access to resources and funding that must be addressed by
targeted investment, resource-sharing programs, ICT skill development programs, and the
establishment of institutional repositories
