CALIBER 2025: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh

Permanent URI for this collection

https://ir.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/1944/2511

Browse

Browsing CALIBER 2025: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh by Subject "Academic Libraries"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    An Evaluation of Academic Libraries Empowering Women, Children, and Differently-abled Individuals in Uttar Pradesh
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-02) Sharma, Neha; Sharma, Jyoti
    Academic libraries are crucial instruments for fostering equitable access to information, especially among underrepresented groups such as women, children, and differently-abled individuals. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, substantial urban-rural disparities substantially influence the availability and utilization of library resources. This study evaluates how these disparities impact educational empowerment by analyzing service accessibility, digital inclusion, and user engagement. It is employing a mixed-methods approach; data were analyzed for 480 participants across 66 academic institutions in eight cities, supported by quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback. The study reveals that while urban women and children demonstrate higher library engagement and better educational achievements, differently-abled users continue to face difficulties owing to inadequate assistive technologies and insufficient staff training. Children see the greatest academic gains, while women benefit in digital literacy and self-confidence. Despite strong motivation, differently-abled users remain underserved. Digital platforms like NDLI and DIKSHA exist, yet their impact is constrained by limited awareness, poor infrastructure, and exclusionary practices. Barriers such as short operating hours, lack of quiet zones, and absence of inclusive or gender-sensitive resources disproportionately affect rural and marginalized users. The study highlights the urgent requirement for upgraded infrastructure, inclusive policy development, and targeted staff training, concluding with practical strategies aimed at reducing access disparities and fostering empowerment among all user groups in both urban and rural areas
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Libraries Empowering Differently-abled Students in Higher Education Institutions in Tamil Nadu – A Study
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-02) A Bagavathi; Kumar, S K Asok
    This study explores the transformative role of academic libraries in empowering differently- abled students across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Tamil Nadu. Grounded in the mandates of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the research investigates how libraries are evolving into inclusive spaces through adaptive infrastructure, assistive technologies, and user-cantered services. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study draws from surveys and interviews conducted across ten HEIs, encompassing students, faculty, and library professionals. Findings reveal a high level of awareness regarding inclusive library services (90%), yet highlight persistent challenges in the implementation of assistive tools, staff training, and policy enforcement. While institutions like Tamil Nadu Open University, Bharathidasan University, and The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University exemplify best practices through specialized labs and accessible learning materials, the majority of institutions still face systemic barriers including inadequate funding, infrastructure gaps, and limited faculty-library collaboration. The study emphasizes the critical need for institutional policy development, diversified investment in assistive technologies, ongoing professional training, and strategic partnerships with NGOs and technology providers. It concludes that while Tamil Nadu’s academic libraries are progressively advancing toward inclusivity, sustained efforts and systemic reforms are essential to ensure equitable academic participation for differently-abled students
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Reimagining Academic Library Websites: A Strategic Planning Framework for Inclusive and User-Centric Digital Infrastructure
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-02) Srivastava, Nikhil Anand; Tripathi, Aditya; Singh, Satya Prakash
    Library websites have become essential gateways to institutional knowledge and services in the contemporary academic landscape, shaped by rapid digital transformation. However, many Indian higher education institutions still exhibit a disconnect between user expectations and digital service delivery. Numerous library portals suffer from outdated designs, limited accessibility, and weak alignment with evolving pedagogical and technological demands. These limitations restrict libraries from functioning as strategic partners in advancing research, learning, and inclusion. This study presents a five-phase strategic planning framework tailored to the Indian context, emphasizing user-centred design, accessibility, and continuous improvement factors often overlooked in institutional planning. The framework is structured around Assessment, Design, Integration, Implementation, and Evaluation and draws on established usability and accessibility standards, including Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). It aligns with national priorities such as the National Education Policy (2020) and quality benchmarks like the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Developed through literature synthesis, national case studies, and benchmarking against global best practices, the model remains flexible and scalable, accommodating diverse institutional capacities. Core components include Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) labels for screen-reader navigation, beta testing for usability validation, and Jakob Nielsen’s heuristics for interface quality. The proposed approach repositions the academic library website from a passive repository to an inclusive, adaptive platform central to digital engagement, advocating a shift from fragmented digital services toward holistic, user-driven ecosystems that ensure equitable access and long-term relevance
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Role of Libraries in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A study of Best Practices followed in IIT libraries of India
    (INFLIBNET Centre Gandhinagar, 2025-12-08) Dhingra, Nav Jyoti; Vasishta, Seema
    Libraries are evolving beyond traditional information repositories to become proactive agents in supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study examines the critical role of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) libraries in aligning library practices with the SDG agenda. Through a detailed analysis of selected IIT libraries, the paper identifies innovative services, outreach initiatives, and policy implementations that embody global sustainability principles. The findings reveal that IIT libraries make significant contributions to quality education (SDG 4), industry innovation (SDG 9), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) by promoting open access, digital literacy, inclusivity, and green practices. The study also highlights replicable best practices that can inform library strategies across higher education institutions in India and beyond