Document Type
Article
Citation
Mollah, N., Barman, D. & Haidar, S. (2026). College Library Websites in West Bengal: Analysis of Information Visibility and Digital Infrastructure Through a Content Analysis Approach. Library Philosophy and Practice.
Abstract
In an era of digital boom and growing internet connectivity, college websites have become vital platforms for disseminating information and establishing communication among students, faculty members, researchers, and the general public who intend to use the library. The present paper aims to study the library web pages of various degree colleges in West Bengal by examining their structure, content, user accessibility, and interactability. It explores and evaluates the contents of 465 college websites based on certain key parameters such as availability, visibility, comprehensiveness, navigability, design, and user experience (users’ ease). The research finds a significant disparity in the quality of library-related information across different college websites. Two-thirds of colleges display their library sections prominently on their home pages, while only 16.56% have independent websites solely dedicated to library services and information dissemination. Information on critical services, such as users’ manuals, inter-library loans, and advanced technology-oriented services like RFID are rarely available. At the same time, inadequate information on library staff and specialized collections often makes it difficult for the users to comprehend the opportunities the libraries offer. This holds true even for some esteemed colleges in West Bengal who perform poorly in providing information on their site. The present study highlights existing gaps to help institutions enhance the online visibility of their libraries, improve access to resources, and support teaching, academic learning, and research activities.
