A Study Of Awareness Of Inflibnet Services Among Research Scholars

The growth of research in higher education has created a strong need for efficient access to scholarly information, digital resources, and academic communication tools. With the advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), libraries and information centres are no longer confined to print-based collections; instead, they have transformed into hybrid and digital knowledge hubs. In India, one of the most important initiatives in this direction is the Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET), an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC). INFLIBNET was established with the aim of modernizing libraries and supporting research and higher education by providing access to a variety of digital services and resources such as UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium, Shodhganga, Shodhgangotri, e-ShodhSindhu, Vidwan, IRINS, and other e-resources. These services play a crucial role in enhancing the research capabilities of scholars, enabling them to access a vast range of scholarly literature, contribute their own research, and engage in academic networking. However, despite the availability of these rich resources, there exists a question of awareness and effective utilization among research scholars. Many researchers either remain unaware of these services or underutilize them due to lack of training, orientation, or institutional support. As research output and quality are directly influenced by access to and use of scholarly resources, the awareness level of research scholars towards INFLIBNET services becomes an important area of academic inquiry. Thus, the idea for this study originated from the recognition that while INFLIBNET has created a strong foundation for digital resource sharing and academic collaboration in India, its impact depends significantly on the awareness and usage by research scholars. Assessing this awareness will not only highlight the gaps but also provide direction for improving user orientation, library services, and academic productivity.