Revamping Digital Access: An Examination of IIIT Library Websites

Authors

  • Debdas Mondal
     S. R. Fatepuria College, Beldanga – 742133, West Bengal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2025/v62i5/171880

Keywords:

Accessibility, Academic Portals, Digital Access, IIIT Libraries, Library Websites, User Experience, Website Content, Web Navigation

Abstract

This study evaluates the content quality, usability, and digital features of library websites of 26 Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). Using a 65-item checklist under seven categories, the research found that while 61.5% of features were commonly present, essential user-focused elements such as feedback forms, social media links, and Web 2.0 tools were significantly lacking. Top-performing websites included IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Allahabad, and ABV-IIITM Gwalior. A moderate correlation (r = 0.57) was found between website quality and Scopus-indexed research output, though no significant link to NIRF rankings emerged. Newer IIITs showed better adoption of modern web features but lacked consistency. The study recommends enhanced interactivity, mobile responsiveness, and content updates to improve user experience and digital library services.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-07

How to Cite

Mondal, D. (2025). Revamping Digital Access: An Examination of IIIT Library Websites. Journal of Information and Knowledge, 62(5), 351–363. https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2025/v62i5/171880

Issue

Volume 62, Issue 5, October 2025

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Information and Knowledge

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

All the articles published in Journal of Information and Knowledge are held by the Publisher. Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science (SRELS), as a publisher requires its authors to transfer the copyright prior to publication. This will permit SRELS to reproduce, publish, distribute and archive the article in print and electronic form and also to defend against any improper use of the article.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

References

Al-Qallaf, C. L., & Ridha, A. (2018). A comprehensive analysis of academic library websites: Design, navigation, content, services, and Web 2.0 tools. International Information and Library Review, 51(2), 93-106. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057 2317.2018.1467166 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2018.1467166

Bharati, S. K., & Madhusudhan, M. (2019). Content evaluation of Jawaharlal Nehru University and Banaras Hindu University library websites in India. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-23. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/2290

Brahma, K., & Verma, M. K. (2018). Evaluation of websites of public libraries of India under Ministry of Culture: A webometric analysis. Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice, 6(3), 16-24. https://doi.org/10.1633/JISTaP.2018.6.3.2

Clausen, H. (1999). Evaluation of library websites: The Danish case. The Electronic Library, 17(2), 83-87. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640479910329527 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/02640479910329527

Devi, K. K., & Verma, M. K. (2018). Web content and design trends of Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) libraries’ website: An evaluation. COLLNET Journal of Scientometrics and Information Management, 12(2), 165-181. https://doi.org/10.1080/09737766.2018.1433100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09737766.2018.1433100

Ganaee, M. A., & Rafiq, M. (2016). Pakistani university library websites: Features, contents, and maintenance issues. Journal of Web Librarianship, 10(4), 294-315. https://doi.org/10.1080/19322909.2016.1195308 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19322909.2016.1195308

Haridasan, S., & Uwesh, M. (2014). Content analysis of central university library websites in India: A study. Journal of Information Management, 1(2), 9-13. http://splpjim.org/ wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Article-1.pdf

Hasan, N. (2012). Web-based agricultural information systems and services under national agricultural research system. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 32(1), 24-30. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.32.1.1402 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.32.1.1402

Kanamadi, S., & Kumar, B. D. (2006). Web-based services expected from libraries: A case study of management institutes in Mumbai City. Webology, 3(2).

Kasneci, E., Sessler, K., Kübler, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., ... & Kasneci, G. (2023). ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education. Learning and Individual Differences, 103, 102274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274

Konnur, P. V., & Kacherki, U. (2006). Library portal: Role of librarian. Proceedings of the 4th International Convention CALIBER (pp. 676-682). Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India.

Kumar, B. T. S. (2009, February 25-27). Content analysis of Indian Institute of Management library websites: An analytical study. In Proceedings of the 7th International CALIBER-2009 (pp. 194-201). Pondicherry University.

Kumar, S., & Mir, M. S. (2017). Content analysis of central universities library websites of central region of India: A survey. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, 6(6), 283-286. http://www.ijstr.org/final-print/ june2017/Content-Analysis-Of-Central-UniversitiesLibrary-Websites-Of-Central-Region-Of-India-ASurvey.pdf

Kumar, R., & Singh, J. (2021). Academic library portals: A comparative study of selected Indian institutions. Journal of Library and Information Technology, 41(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17060591

Liu, S. (2008). Engaging users: The future of academic library websites. College and Research Libraries, 69(1), 6-27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.69.1.6

Mondal, D. (2021). Growth and development of the national digital library of India since inception under the initiative of IIT Kharagpur: A comprehensive study. Library Philosophy and Practice (E-Journal), 6248.

Mondal, D., & Das, S. (2023). Assessing Burdwan University library resources and services by postgraduate students: A study. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology, 14(1). http://www.trp.org.in DOI: https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2023.13.1.3396

OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. (2002). OCLC white paper on the information habits of college students: How academic librarians can influence students’ web-based information choices.

Pareek, S., & Gupta, D. K. (2013). Academic library websites in Rajasthan: An analysis of content. Library Philosophy and Practice. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/913

Rahman, A., & Batcha, M. S. (2020). Content analysis of library websites of select colleges of Delhi University: A study. DESIDOC Journal of Library and Information Technology, 40(4), 247-252. https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.40.04.15454 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/djlit.40.04.15454

Tang, X., Hu, Y., Zhang, Y., & Liu, Q. (2024). Evaluating the utility and risks of ChatGPT in scientific writing: A human – AI collaboration perspective. AI and Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-01723-9

Thanuskodi, S. (2012). A webometric analysis of selected institutes of national importance websites in India. International Journal of Library Science, 1(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.library.20120101.03 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5923/j.library.20120101.03

van Dis, E. A. M., Bollen, J., Zuidema, W., Bockting, C. L. H., & Schoevers, R. A. (2023). Five priorities for research. Nature, 614(7947), 224-226. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-02300288-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-00288-7

Verma, M. K., & Brahma, K. (2017). A webometric analysis of selected non-profit organisations (NGOs) of Assam. KIIT Journal of Library and Information Management, 4(1), 63-72.

Verma, N. K., & Kumar, N. (2020). Usability analysis of library websites of National Institutes of Technology of India: An evaluation. SRELS Journal of Information Management, 57(2), 109-116. https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2020/v57i2/155250 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17821/srels/2020/v57i5/155250

Wang, L., & Lin, J. (2025). Redefining academic reference services in the AI era: A study of university libraries. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 51(2), 102648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2025.102648

Wilson, D. E. (2015). Web content and design trends of Alabama academic libraries. The Electronic Library, 33(1), 88-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/el-05-2013-0100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-05-2013-0100

Yadav, M. K., & Mishra, R. (2021). Usability analysis of Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) library websites: A study. Library Philosophy and Practice.