Web Services: Usage of Internet services in University Libraries (With special reference to selected university libraries in A.P ) Dr.G.Gangadharaiah Information Scientist Sri Krishnadevaraya University Anantapur , A.P Dr.G.Gangadharaiah Information Scientist Sri Krishnadevaraya University Anantapur , A.P

INTRODUCTION E-learning is commonly referred to the international use of networked information and communications technology and learning which includes online learning, virtual learning, distributed learning network and web based learning. Web services are much used by different organizations in indifferent ways so also information centers. Information centers are greatly influenced by IT. With application of IT, the role of Information centers/ university libraries has changed. The university libraries and Information Centers are supposed to provide web based serves to its clientele in the present web environment. The services of Internet are also called web based services

WHAT ARE WEB BASED SERVICES? A web service is a method of communication between two electronic devices over a network. The W3C defines a web services as a a software system designed to support inter-operatable machine-to-machine interaction over a network. Providing web based services in University library is an easy task but maintaining them challenge to Librarian/Information Manager when compared to providing conventional library services, since the services of web in the libraries is entirely different and the information which is time sensitive. Further, the librarian and his supporting staff must be well acquainted with new technology to handle as to satisfy the users. Hence, it is essential to know the opinions and levels of awareness of the research clientele or users towards their seeking information on the web and usage of its services by students in the university libraries in Andhra Pradesh. A web service is a method of communication between two electronic devices over a network. The W3C defines a web services as a a software system designed to support inter-operatable machine-to-machine interaction over a network. Providing web based services in University library is an easy task but maintaining them challenge to Librarian/Information Manager when compared to providing conventional library services, since the services of web in the libraries is entirely different and the information which is time sensitive. Further, the librarian and his supporting staff must be well acquainted with new technology to handle as to satisfy the users. Hence, it is essential to know the opinions and levels of awareness of the research clientele or users towards their seeking information on the web and usage of its services by students in the university libraries in Andhra Pradesh.

OBJECTIVES To survey the users opinions towards the available Internet/web services in the university libraries under study To determine the extent of use of the various services of Internet in the libraries under study To survey the users opinions towards the available Internet/web services in the university libraries under study To determine the extent of use of the various services of Internet in the libraries under study

SCOPE OF THE STUDY The University Libraries attached to the universities in the country are all functioning under the guidelines of University Grants Commission. Hence, all University Libraries in the country carry similar objectives, rules and regulations. Moreover, the pattern of budget and human resource management are also based on similar guidelines provided by UGC in almost all university libraries. This study is confined to 15 selected university Libraries located all over the State of Andhra Pradesh. The aspects covered in this study are Web/Internet services and their usage. The University Libraries attached to the universities in the country are all functioning under the guidelines of University Grants Commission. Hence, all University Libraries in the country carry similar objectives, rules and regulations. Moreover, the pattern of budget and human resource management are also based on similar guidelines provided by UGC in almost all university libraries. This study is confined to 15 selected university Libraries located all over the State of Andhra Pradesh. The aspects covered in this study are Web/Internet services and their usage.

METHODOLGY To conduct this study, purposive random sampling from 15 selected university libraries in A.P was chosen. A total 315 respondents were chosen from the users of the university libraries under study. The sampling was selected at the rate of 19 to 22 respondents from each university library. For this survey two sets of questionnaires were prepared:- one for librarians and the other for users include students, Research scholars, Project Assistants. To conduct this study, purposive random sampling from 15 selected university libraries in A.P was chosen. A total 315 respondents were chosen from the users of the university libraries under study. The sampling was selected at the rate of 19 to 22 respondents from each university library. For this survey two sets of questionnaires were prepared:- one for librarians and the other for users include students, Research scholars, Project Assistants.

ANALYSIS The data collected from 315 users who are pursuing their studies in the respective 15 different category of universities under study in Andhra Pradesh and responses elicited through questionnaire have been processed- the data and analyzed which resulted in significant findings from this study

INTERNET SERVICES The Internet is at the heart of the Information Age and the mother of all networks. Communications is extending into every nook and cranny of civilization. Internet is the network, connects other networks of computers around the globe into one seamless network. The rapid growth of technologies has changed the communication process and reduced the cost of communication for individuals. Internet changed the entire environment of information system. Internet is widely used tool for information seeking. Four things we can do on Internet: Communication, Document or file transfer, Interactive browsing, and Bulletin boards. Corresponding these activities, there are four basic tools: - Electronic message exchange FTP –moving electronic documents, images and sounds. Knowledge is power and library is the place where this power is stored, compiled and provided to its users. To access such information, Internet services are required. So Internet is a basic need for a researcher. The Internet is at the heart of the Information Age and the mother of all networks. Communications is extending into every nook and cranny of civilization. Internet is the network, connects other networks of computers around the globe into one seamless network. The rapid growth of technologies has changed the communication process and reduced the cost of communication for individuals. Internet changed the entire environment of information system. Internet is widely used tool for information seeking. Four things we can do on Internet: Communication, Document or file transfer, Interactive browsing, and Bulletin boards. Corresponding these activities, there are four basic tools: - Electronic message exchange FTP –moving electronic documents, images and sounds. Knowledge is power and library is the place where this power is stored, compiled and provided to its users. To access such information, Internet services are required. So Internet is a basic need for a researcher.

Views of Heads of university libraries Table 1 presents the views of Heads of different university libraries about the services of Internet offered in different University libraries to their users. Almost all categories of university Librarians expressed their satisfaction to more than some extent with 3.7 weighted averages on Internet services provided in their libraries. The ascertained weighted averages of these universities are 3.7 weighted average of Central University, 3.2 weighted average of Professional university and 3.1 weighted averages of Traditional University categories. Table 1 presents the views of Heads of different university libraries about the services of Internet offered in different University libraries to their users. Almost all categories of university Librarians expressed their satisfaction to more than some extent with 3.7 weighted averages on Internet services provided in their libraries. The ascertained weighted averages of these universities are 3.7 weighted average of Central University, 3.2 weighted average of Professional university and 3.1 weighted averages of Traditional University categories.

Views of Heads of University libraries on Internet Services S.No.StatementUniversity categories Traditional Uni. Professional Uni. Central Uni. W.A. W.A W.A 1.Do you think that the services of Internet provided in the library are satisfactory?

VIEWS OF USERS ON INTERNET SERVICES User Satisfacti on WWW FTFTelnetInternet phone Web TVWAISChatting Comple ting Ext. 40 (12.69) 174 (55.23) 8 (2.53) Greater Ext. 104 (33.01) 102 (32.38) 18 (5.71) 03 (0.95) 007 (2.22) Some Ext. 62 (19.65) 25 (7.93) 78 (24.76) 14 (4.44) 11 (3.49) 05 (1.587) 54 (17.54) Little Ext. 73 (23.17) 12 (3.93) 89 (28.25) 13 (4.12) 18 (5.71) 10 (3.17) 9 (2.857) 114 (36.19) Nil Ext.36 (11.42) 2 (0.63) 122 (38.73) 288 (91.42) 283 (89.84) 305 (96.82) 301 (95.55) 140 (44.44) Total315 (99.99) 315 (99.99) 315 (99.99) 315 (99.99) 315 (99.99) 315 (99.99) 315 (99.99) 315 (99.99)

Views of Users on Use of Internet VariablesParticularsAttitude of users H/M Low Total N= 315 Chi-square value Degrees of freedom Significant/not sign Types of Universities Traditional Professional Central (90.58) (9.58) (83.3) (16.66) 49 6 (89.1) (10.90) 146 (100) 114 (100) 55 (100) d.f.2 Not Significant Users Block wiseArts Humanities Science 71 8 (54.45) (10.50) 89 8 (86.4) (13.59) (87.2) (12.78) 79 (100) 103 (100) 133 (100) d.f.2 Not significant Types of UsersJRF/SRF P.T/F.T P.G/P.A 48 6 (88.8) (11.11) (90) (10) (80.28) (19.71) 54 (100) 190 (100) 71 (100) d.f.2 Not significant Total276 (87.61) 39 (12.38)

Views of users on Internet Services

Findings The major findings of the study are: 1There is a common agreement over the positive impact of IT on library services 2The most preferred search engine among the respondents is Google 3Approach to web resources is predominate among JRF/SRF scholars when compared to others percent of users expressed their satisfaction on the services rendered by university libraries under study 5 Internet is used every day by a majority of users The major findings of the study are: 1There is a common agreement over the positive impact of IT on library services 2The most preferred search engine among the respondents is Google 3Approach to web resources is predominate among JRF/SRF scholars when compared to others percent of users expressed their satisfaction on the services rendered by university libraries under study 5 Internet is used every day by a majority of users

Suggestions The concept of networking emerged more rapidly than any one expected. In this context user education programmes play a pivotal role in improving the usage of web based services in university library effectively. Internet can be considered as an International digital public library. Vast amount of information is available in internet with multi services. Effective use of internet must be encouraged to enhance in existing the library services. The technology is giving a valuable opportunity for the librarians to create new avenues for the information seekers in the university libraries. There is every need for the librarians to renew their skills periodically and achieve excellence in the library services When IT is making rapid strides, there is an every need to incorporate and improve net connectivity with high bandwidth for speedy access. User education gains more importance in the present IT environment and emphasis must be laid on this aspect by university authorities/ libraries. The impact of web services in the university library is undisputed. There is every need for the libraries to exploit services of intangible information products like Internet that crop-up due to this impact. The concept of networking emerged more rapidly than any one expected. In this context user education programmes play a pivotal role in improving the usage of web based services in university library effectively. Internet can be considered as an International digital public library. Vast amount of information is available in internet with multi services. Effective use of internet must be encouraged to enhance in existing the library services. The technology is giving a valuable opportunity for the librarians to create new avenues for the information seekers in the university libraries. There is every need for the librarians to renew their skills periodically and achieve excellence in the library services When IT is making rapid strides, there is an every need to incorporate and improve net connectivity with high bandwidth for speedy access. User education gains more importance in the present IT environment and emphasis must be laid on this aspect by university authorities/ libraries. The impact of web services in the university library is undisputed. There is every need for the libraries to exploit services of intangible information products like Internet that crop-up due to this impact.

Conclusion University libraries are relying on the web services for providing information required to its clientele. Perhaps, it gives information instantly to users for their study pursuit. However, the web resources are not fully utilized by students for their study pursuit. The university libraries have to conduct user orientation programmes to make awareness among students on web services usage in the university libraries. There is a need to incorporate and improve net connectivity with high bandwidth for speedy access.