International Journal of Library Science

and Research (IJLSR)

ISSN(P): 2250-2351; ISSN(E): 2321-0079
Vol. 6, Issue 1, Feb 2016, 1-8
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

USE OF ICT BY FACULTY MEMBERS OF AUTONOMOUS ARTS

AND SCIENCE COLLEGES AFFILIATED TO UNIVERSITY OF MADRAS
G. K. ASHOK1 & T. PRABAKARAN2
1
2

Research Scholar, Department of Library and Information Science, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT
The Paper seeks to review and assess the exposure of Information and Communication Technology and the
access of e-resources by the faculty members of Arts & Science Colleges affiliated University of Madras. The study has
been conducted through questionnaire-based survey. The study based on three autonomous Arts & Science colleges
only. Use of ICT is increasing every day as it is time saving, more informative and less expensive. This study focuses on
the usage of ICT services, the basic problems of using ICT. This study found that the majority of the faculty members
in the Arts & Science college have positive attitude on ICT and very rare cases not able to update their knowledge and
skills of ICT.

Received: Jan 27, 2016; Accepted: Feb 01, 2016; Published: Feb 06, 2016; Paper Id.: IJLSRFEB20161

INTRODUCTION
Information and communication technology (ICT) has turned the world into a global village. It has

Original Article

KEYWORDS: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), ICT Service, Faculty Members

become an integral part of modern information oriented society. Information and communication technologies
help to introduced new methods of teaching and conducting researches by faculties. The rapid advancements in
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought a revolutionary change in the information
scenario giving rise to a number of options to handle varied information sources conveniently and effortlessly. As
a result, e-resources have become the most sought after modern libraries resources in satisfying varied needs of
students, teachers and researchers with minimum effort and time. The e-information resources occupied a major
portion of Library collections. Application of ICT has become the top most necessity of college libraries to ensure
optimum utilization of resources for processing, storage and its retrieval of Information faster and effective to all
users like faculties, students research scholars etc. ICT is very effective in accessing and utilization of vast mass of
information.

LITERATURE REVIEW
The related literature is the embodiment of complete informational knowledge of any specific subject or
topic of research - Encyclopedia of Educational Research. The review of literature has some relation to the
relevant area and considers the most important prerequisite to actual planning and conducting the study. The
elaborate reviews of the research material available on the study are given below.
Siddike et al. (2011) discusses the present conditions of using ICT by the public and private university
libraries in Bangladesh. They found out the systems and services provided by the university libraries. The
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G. K. Ashok & T. Prabakaran

development of libraries in Bangladesh hinder due to the librarian does not active in their field because they do not get
their legal status and facilities. They suggested that the university library services should be redesigned to meet the users
needs and to provide modern information services facilitated by ICT.
Sivakumaren et al. (2011) study found that the majority of library professionals have positive attitude on ICT
and some of them were not able to update their knowledge and skills on ICT. They recommended the library professionals
are interested to learn more about the development in the ICT Technologies and get training on ICT based programmes.
Thanuskodi, S (2011) had a survey to understand and sketch a framework of information literacy level of library
professionals of fifteen major engineering colleges in the state of Tamil Nadu. Professionals with right ICT skills and
expertise will have plenty opportunities in future and will be crucial to the management of technology intensive libraries.
He concluded that 95.12 percent of professionals have knowledge in computer fundamentals, 81.07 percent in Internet,
42.68 percent in multimedia and only a very few professionals 29.26 percent have knowledge in computer programming.
Paul and Vishwakarma (2014) study reveals that guidance in the use of library resources and services is
necessary to help students to meet their requirements like journals, text-books, lecture notes etc. are the most popular
sources of information. University libraries play a crucial role in dissemination of information services to the
academicians, students, teachers, scholars and faculty members. They suggested that library and information system is the
life blood of a university and it must be strengthening by the library professionals, library authorities, then the Assam
University Library will prosper in new direction.
Sinha (2014) reveals that e-resources available under UGC-INFONET are more popular and heavily utilized by
the scientific community of Assam University Library and they prefer to access e-resources mainly from their respective
department. He reveals that there is increased acceptance of electronic journals by the university academicians and also by
the Information Centers. The rapid developments in information communication technology have facilitated the
convergence of new electronic devices and formats. They concluded that electronic journals played a constructive role in
enhancing services, user satisfaction, meeting users demands, users expectations and above all the image of the library.
Muruganandham et al. (2015) confirmed that students and researcher of engineering colleges in Kanchipuram
district area, are aware of E-resources, and use various types of e-resources, e-databases and e-journals. But still there is
enough scope for the library to develop its infrastructural facilities for providing the services and procurement of more eresources. The Online resources are the need of the library to meet out the requirement of target groups. They suggest to
conducting the systematic training program for library staff from time to time and student orientation programmes.
Ramesh Babu et.al (2015) had a survey to compare the major academic, public and special libraries in and
around Chennai with regard to the collection, manpower, resources (print and e-resources), and information and
communication technology (ICT)-based services, etc; to identify the issues and challenges being faced by the librarians and
to offer suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of the libraries. They found that in most of the Government
Universities and Public libraries, the quantum of the collection has not been developed in a large scale and the acquisition
of e-resources is not followed, they dont follow collection development policy and all libraries having qualified librarians
but they are under-staffed to carry out various activities.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Use of ICT by Faculty Members of Autonomous Arts and

Science Colleges Affiliated to University of Madras

Objectives

To know the ICT usage among the faculty members of Autonomous Arts & Science colleges

To understand the present status and knowledge of ICT

To find out the problems faced by the faculties

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In order to collect the comprehensive and relevant data from the faculty members of Autonomous Arts & Science
colleges affiliated to University of Madras. A structured questionnaire was designed and interview method was also
adopted as the tool for collection of data. A total number of 106 questionnaires were collected and then data was analysed,
interpreted and presented in this paper.
Data Analysis and Discussions
Analysis of data is the ultimate step in research process. In this study we collected datas from faculty members of
three colleges. After collecting the data through questionnaire method, the data was analysed and interpreted in suitable
manner. The inferences were drawn based on standard statistical techniques. All the results have been presented in the
form of tables and figures. A total of numbers of 150 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents, out of which 106
filled questionnaires were received back. The overall response is 70.67 percent.
Gender Wise Distribution of Respondents Using ICT
Table 1: Gender Wise Distribution of Respondents using ICT
No. of
Respondents
Male
42
Female
64
Total
106
Source: Primary data
Gender

Percentage
39.62
60.38
100

Table 2 views the gender wise distribution of respondents using ICT in the Arts and Science colleges affiliated to
University of Madras. Out of 106 respondents, 60.38% of the respondents are female faculties and the remaining 39.62%
of the respondents are male faculties.

Figure 1: Gender Wise Distribution of Respondents using ICT

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G. K. Ashok & T. Prabakaran

Table 2: Designation Wise Distribution of Respondents using ICT

Assistant Professor

No. of
Respondents
98

Associate Professor

7.55

Total
Source: Primary data

106

100

Designation

Percentage
92.45

Table 2 views the designation wise distribution of respondents using Information Communication Technologies.
In this study, 92.45% of the respondents are in the designation of Assistant Professor and 7.55% of the respondents are
Associate Professor. It is observed that most of the respondents (92.45%) in the Autonomous Arts & Science college
faculties are Assistant Professors.
The following chart describes the clear view of the designation wise distribution of respondents using ICT.

Figure 2: Designation Wise Distribution of Respondents using ICT

Table 3: Designation Wise Frequency of using ICT Sources

Every day
Once in a week
Once in a month
As and when required
Total

N
%
N
%
N
%
N
%
N
%

Assistant
Professor
23
21.7
36
33.96
21
19.81
18
16.98
98
92.45

Associate
Professor
3
2.83
2
1.88
2
1.88
8
7.55

Total
23
21.7
39
36.79
23
21.69
20
18.86
106
100

Source: Primary data

Table 3 exhibits the respondents frequency of using ICT sources. 33.96% of the Assistant Professors using ICT
once in a week, 21.7% using daily, 19.81% using once in a month and 16.98% using the ICT sources as and when they
required. 2.83% of the Associate Professors using the ICT sources once in a week, 1.88% using once in a month and
another 1.88% using as and when they required. It is observed that most of the respondents (33.96%) are Assistant
Professor and they used the ICT sources once in a week.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Use of ICT by Faculty Members of Autonomous Arts and

Science Colleges Affiliated to University of Madras

The following chart describes the clear view of the designation wise distribution of respondents using ICT.

Figure 3: Frequency of using ICT Sources

Table 4: Designation Wise Hours Spending to use ICT Sources

One hour
Two hours
Three hours
More than three hours
Total

N
%
N
%
N
%
N
%
N
%

Assistant
Professor
38
35.85
29
27.36
21
19.81
10
9.44
98
92.45

Associate
Professor
3
2.83
3
2.83
2
1.88
8
7.55

Total
41
38.68
32
30.19
21
19.81
12
11.32
106
100

Source: Primary data

Table 4 reveals the respondents spending time to use ICT sources. 38.68% of the respondents using the ICT
sources one hour, 30.19% of the respondents using two hours, 19.81% of the respondents using three hours, 11.32% of the
respondents using ICT sources more than three hours. In that, the maximum of 35.85% of the Assistant Professor spending
one hour to use ICT sources, where as 2.83% of Associate Professor spending one and two hours for using ICT sources. It
is observed that more than one third of the respondents (35.85%) are Assistant Professor and they spending one hour to use
ICT sources.
The following chart describes the designation wise hours spending to use ICT sources.

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G. K. Ashok & T. Prabakaran

Figure 4: Designation Wise Hours Spending to use ICT Sources

Table 5: Place of Accessing ICT
Designation
Library

No. of
Respondents
20

Percentage
18.87

Department library

4.72

Browsing centre

11

10.38

House
Computer lab

20
29

18.87
27.36

All the above

21

19.81

Total
Source: Primary data

106

100

Table 5 explores the respondents accessing place of using ICT sources. 29% of the respondents accessing ICT
sources in their college computer lab, 21% of the respondents using all places, 20% of the respondents using in their
college library, another 20% using at home, 11% of the respondents using at browsing centre, and 5 % of the respondents
using ICT sources to their department library. It is observed that most of the respondents (29%) using the ICT sources in
their college computer lab.
The following chart describes the place of accessing ICT.

Figure 5: Place of Accessing ICT

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Use of ICT by Faculty Members of Autonomous Arts and

Science Colleges Affiliated to University of Madras

Basic Problems of using ICT Sources

Table 6: Basic Problems of using ICT Sources

Lack of ICT literacy

No. of
Respondents
3

Lack of search skills

37

34.91

Lack of computers in library

10

9.44

Time restriction in library

Information over load
Lack of Time to Visit
College Library
Lack of interest

13
2

12.26
1.89

16

15.10

25

23.59

106

100

Designation

Total
Source: Primary data

Percentage
2.83

Table 6 views the respondents facing basic problems to using ICT services. 34.91% of the respondents are facing
the problem of search skills, 23.59% of the respondents facing lack of interest, 15.10% of the respondents having no time
to visit to college library, 12.26% of the respondents feeling the restriction of library timing, 9.44% of the respondents
feeling lack of computers in the library, 2.83% of the respondents having no idea about ICT, and 1.89% of the respondents
facing information overload problem in the library. It is observed that one third of the respondents (34.91%) having no
knowledge of search skills.
The following chart describes basic problems of using ICT sources.

Figure 6: Basic Problems to use ICT Sources

FINDINGS

60.38% of the respondents are female faculties

Most of the respondents (92.45%) in the Autonomous Arts & Science college faculties are Assistant Professors.

Most of the respondents (33.96%) are Assistant Professor and they used the ICT sources once in a week.

More than one third of the respondents (35.85%) are Assistant Professor and they spending one hour to use ICT
sources.

Most of the respondents (29%) using the ICT sources in their college computer lab.

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G. K. Ashok & T. Prabakaran

One third of the respondents (34.91%) having no knowledge of search skills.

Major Limitations

The present study has been conducted only among the faculty members of Autonomous Arts & Science College

The area of the study restricted only three colleges affiliated to University of Madras

CONCLUSIONS
The rapid developments in information communication technology have facilitated the convergence of new
electronic devices and formats. Information has been embedded in a variety of ways and forms in various kinds of
electronic resources. The study concluded that most of the faculties in Autonomous Arts & Science in Chennai are females
and they are in the designation of Assistant Professor. The study also shows that the most of faculty members using ICT
sources once in a week.
REFERENCES
1.

Muruganandham, G, et al. (2015). Information Seeking Behavior of Students Community with e-Resources: A Case Study of
Engineering Colleges, Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu. International journal of library and Information Studies, 5(3), 2128.

2.

Paul, Kumarjit and Vishwakarma, Mohan Lal. (2014). Use of Library Resources in University Libraries by the Students: A
Survey with Special Reference to the Assam University, Silchar. e-Library Science Research Journal, 2(7), 1-7.

3.

Ramesh Babu, B, et al. (2015). Libraries in Chennai on the Threshold of the Third Millennium: Information and
Communication Technology Issues and Challenges. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 35(4), 245-257.

4.

Siddike, Md. Abul Kalam, et al. (2011). The Adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the University
Libraries of Bangladesh: An Exploratory Study. International Seminar Vision 2021: the role of libraries for building digital
Bangladesh on 04 February 2011, organized by Library Association of Bangladesh,153.

5.

Sinha, Manoj Kumar. (2014). Usage of E-Resources by the Scientific Community Library Users of Assam University SilcharA Comparative Study. Asia Pacific Journal of Research, I (XVI), 133-153.

6.

Sivakumaren K. et al (2011). Attitudes towards Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among library
professionals in and around Chennai. International Journal of Information Dissemination and Technology,| 1(2), 61-68.

7.

Thanuskodi, S. (2011). ICT Literacy among Library Professionals in the Engineering College Libraries of Tamil Nadu: An
Analytical Study. International Journal of Digital Library Services, 1(2), 131-141.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1