IT infrastructure facilities in engineering college libraries of Karnataka

Technology is the major driving force for change. It is the facilitator to overcome the delaying factors. Information and communications technology (ICT) and its tools have always been helpful in extending information services. They have changed the methods of teaching, learning, research and extension activities in a higher education system. This paper depicts the availability of information technology (IT) infrastructure facilities that can transform the profile of libraries for better and improved information services in the engineering colleges of Karnataka. A study was conducted to assess the availability of IT infrastructure among the 133 Visvesvaraya Technological University engineering colleges, and it revealed that a majority of libraries lack basic and advanced IT infrastructure facilities and services, due to the lack of budget and management lacunas. Furthermore, institution-wise, comparisons are made to assess the ICT-based facilities provided in government-aided and private engineering college libraries