GROUPING THE USERS BASED ON USE OF E-RESOURCES: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Abstract

Today the libraries have transformed into digital and virtual libraries. Traditional books, journals and magazines have changed into e-books, e-journals, and e-magazines. There has been a considerable increase in awareness among the users about the library e – resources and e-services. The respondents’ opinions were obtained in regard to use of e-resources. Opinions on nearly 23 variables were obtained and factor analysis was used. Out of 575 questionnaires distributed 507 were responded and the response rate works out to 88.18%. Out of 507 respondents, 384 (75.74%) were from Vellore campus and the remaining 123 (24.26%) from Chennai campus. Further 267 (52.68%) belongs to faculty and 240 (47.32%) belongs to research scholars. Initially the reliability test was conducted to ensure the usability of the variables. The Cronbach alpha value works out 0.9348 which indicates that the 23 variables thus taken up for the study were holds good. Exploratory Factor Analysis converted the 23 items (questions) into 5 factors which further suggested names according to the nature of items included in the factors. Based on the component the respondents were grouped as Pessimist, Optimist, Environs, Prejudiced, and Futurist.