Access to scholarly communication in higher education in India: Trends in usage statistics via INFLIBNET

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the initiative of the University Grants Commission of India in setting up the Infonet Digital Library Consortium (The Information and Library Network) in order to provide access to scholarly communication to the academic community in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The context of higher education in India and the expansion and establishment of universities under the five‐year plan is given along with details of e‐resources that are being provided. The usage trends of e‐resources from various publishers during 2004‐2007 are detailed.

Findings

The paper finds that there has been a qualitative increase in overall usage, but use is also dependent on a high‐bandwidth connection.

Originality/value

The study provides evidence of increased use of consortial services for access to e‐resources in Indian higher education.

Citation

Chand, P. and Arora, J. (2008), "Access to scholarly communication in higher education in India: Trends in usage statistics via INFLIBNET", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 42 No. 4, pp. 382-390. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330810912061