Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Hyderabad Utilisation of Directory of Open Access Books by Faculty Members of Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, Ghatkesar, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana : A study Presented by Dr. M. SURESH BABU LIBRAIAN Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Hyderabad Email: drsureshsvu@gmail.com

ABSTRACT This paper presents utilization of Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) by faculty members of the Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana. The questionnaire was designed and analysis of data was done with simple calculations. The findings of the study revealed that 66.00% respondents are using the DOAB for their study purpose and they agreed that there is an impact of DOAB on their study.

INTRODUCTION Resource sharing has been one of the fundamental principles for supporting library services, but the object of the sharing has changed over the years1”. The literature highlights how the nineties are the period in which cooperative academic library activities require the support of formal consortia, passing from a model of organizational self-sufficiency to a collaborative survival mode2. The reasons for the creation of new library consortia are summarized in three main points3: To exploit resources by sharing existing collections or resources through virtual union catalogues To reduce the costs of member library operations by achieving better group purchase prices for information products To condition commercial publishers, with the aim to reduce the rate of rise in the cost of information

Objectives of the Study To identify the use and impact of DOAB on faculty To know the purpose of utilization DOAB To know the satisfaction of faculty while using DOAB

Research Methodology This questionnaire was prepared and distributed to 50 faculties. Out of 50 faculties, 33 have responded. The total response rate is 66.00%. The collected data is presented in the form of tables and analyzed by using a simple percentage and pie diagram.

Limitation of the Study This study covers only Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana had considered only faculty members.

User Wise Distribution of Respondents S. No Users No of Responses Percentage 1 Professors 02 06.06 2 Associate Professors 06 18.18 3 Assistant Professors 10 30.30 4 Lecturers 15 45.46 Total 33 100.00

AWARENESS of DOAB Sl. No Description Number of Responses Percentage 1 Yes 33 100.00 2 No Total

Source through which DOAB is known Sl. No DOAB Known No of Responses Percentage 1 Library Staff 19 57.58 2 Teachers 07 21.21 3 Friends Total 33 100.00

PLACE OF ACCESSING DOAB S No Place Number of Responses Percentage 1 Library 27 81.82 2 Department 06 18.18 Total 33 100.00

PURPOSE OF USING DOAB Total 33 100.00 S. No Purpose Number of Responses Percentage 1 Study/Research 16 48.49 2 Publishing Article 12 36.36 3 Keep up to date in the subject area 05 15.15 Total 33 100.00

Importance of DOAB Database S. No Importance of DOAB Number of Responses Percentage 1 Can Access at any time (on 24/7) from any place with multiple users 10 30.30 2 Can access not just recent issues, but to archive dating back several years. 08 24.24 3 Provide electronic search capabilities relevant to specific research needs 07 21.21 4 Provide hyperlink to cited references 05 15.15 5 Text are displayed clearly in an easy to read format 01 03.03 6 A user-friendly interface 02 06.07 Total 33 100.00

Use of Easy Accessing in DOAB S. No Easy accesses Number of Responses Percentage 1 Not at Easy 01 03.03 2 Less Easy 13 39.39 3 More Easy 11 33.33 4 Extremely Easy 08 24.24 Total 33 100.00

Opinions about information content in DOAB E-Books when compared to printed book versions S. No Opinion Number of Responses Percentage 1 Better than print versions 07 21.21 2 Same as that of print versions 09 27.28 3 Not better than print versions 14 42.42 4 Not Sure 03 09.09 Total 33 100.00

Overall Opinion about DOAB S. No Opinion Number of Responses Percentage 1 Excellent 11 33.33 2 Good 13 39.39 3 Satisfactory 07 21.21 4 Unsatisfactory 02 06.07 Total 33 100.00

THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY 33 (100%) users are aware of DOAB. 19 (57.58%) respondents acknowledged DOAB from library staff. 27 (81.82%) respondents access DOAB from the library and about 6 (18.18%) respondents access from their departments. 7 (21.21%) respondents indicate that the information content in e-books is better than print versions. About 9 (27.27%) respondents specify that they were same as that at print version .About 14 (42.42%) respondents point out that they not better than the print version. 11 (33.33%) respondents express their opinion on DOAB as excellent. About 13 (39.39%) respondents express their opinion good.

CONCLUSION The explosion of information and the access to e-resources has created new expectations in patrons, which libraries attempt to satisfy creating cooperative alliances that let them share solutions and expertise. It is necessary to find new ways to interpret user needs, which have to remain the main focus of libraries. To spot the significance of DOAB in the Database, many academic institutional faculty members used in India has setup database for electronic resource sharing. DOAB facilitating 24x7 online accesses to selected full-text e-books to all faculties. The present study reveals that DOAB has a positive impact on a faculty member at Sreenidhi Institute of Science & Technology, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana