Portal is Vital: making libraries relevant and responsive to changing user requirements

Abstract

It is evident that in this era of digital information environment, library users are becomeing highly tech-savvey and love to access the "most needed" information almost instantly without wasting too much of their time. It is a general experience across most of academic institutions where Wi-Fi is very Common, that there is a distinct shift in the Priorities of Gen-Y who are now connected with the world via Smartphone, pc - tablet, i-pad, laptop and the like. The ease of access to information on the Internet with these swanky gadgets, the footfalls in the libraries are gradually dipping. It is necessary for librarians to reach out and connect with the users rather than depending on them to come to the library. For this, the libraries need to become more relevent, appropriate and quick to respond to their needs. Well designed library portals certainly play a vital role in making librariaes move from their passive state to an activwe state and help in transforming them as vibrant places in terms of meeting information needs and developing loyal community of users.