Indian Journal of Library and Information Sciences

The present bibliometric study provides an in-depth examination of the expansion and evolution of ethnobotanical literature during the 2009–2018 timeframe, highlighting important patterns and trends that have shaped the field over the past decade. Specifically, it explores the nature and distribution of authorship patterns, assesses the extent of researcher collaboration across institutions and countries, and analyzes the type and rate of publication growth during this period. By tracking these parameters, the study offers valuable insights into how ethnobotany has progressed both in volumes of research output and in the sophistication of scholarly cooperation. The findings of the study reveal that joint publications have been steadily increasing year by year, which is a strong indicator of active intellectual engagement and the recognition that ethnobotanical research benefits from interdisciplinary and crossregional partnerships. Such collaborative efforts not only enhance the quality and scope of research but also contribute to a more integrated understanding of plant use, traditional knowledge systems, and biodiversity conservation. However, the results also underscore that, despite this consistent progress, ethnobotany has yet to secure full recognition as a distinct academic discipline in its own right. At present, it is often perceived as a subfield within broader areas such as botany, anthropology, or environmental sciences. Achieving recognition as an independent field will require sustained and strategic collaboration among scholars, as well as targeted research that addresses global challenges like climate change, food security, and cultural heritage preservation. Strengthening institutional support, increasing funding opportunities, and enhancing visibility through high-impact publications will also be critical to its advancement within the global scientific community

The process of gathering and organising information and its dissemination has changed nowadays due to the technological shift and introduction of the new technologies such as artificial intelligence. The present study is trying to see the abilities of Artificial Intelligence and its subfields, like Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and Large Language Models (LLMs), to reshape the main library operations like cataloguing, reference services, research support, and digital preservation. The main argument of the article is regarding the ethical, inclusive, and policy-compliant use of AI technology within libraries. The article also acknowledges the increasing role of librarians as curators of AI tools and highlights the need for a plan of action framework. There is a need for a plan of action framework that aligns the deployment of AI with national educational and digital objectives. In the future, with the help of AI, librarians will be positioned to develop intelligent knowledge systems, thereby promising access and sustainable learning opportunities in the digital age.

Context: The rapid growth and development, as well as the increasing popularity of electronic information sources, have altered the pattern of informationseeking behaviour among users, particularly among students. Information skills encompass the “ability to search, evaluate, and use information effectively,” which are essential for every student for their academic success in the digital era (ALA, 2000; Wilson, 2021). Open educational resources (OER) have become a major platform for students to access the content related to the syllabus developed by subject experts. Based on the review, a gap is identified in students’ engagement with these OER. Aims: The study aimed to examine the information skills and adoption of OER among the university students of Karnataka, and also focused on informationseeking behaviour, use of search strategies, and adoption of OER among students. Settings and Design: The study was conducted among the university students pursuing postgraduation in the academic year 2024-25 at Tumkur University, Gulbarga University, and Raichur University. A survey design was applied to collect the data from students. Methods and Materials: A structured questionnaire was distributed randomly among the university students across arts/social science, Science, commerce, and management disciplines. It’s a pilot study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21 for data tabulation. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution and percentages) were used for the data presentation in the form of tables. Results and Conclusions: The majority of the respondents are in the age group of 21-25 years (83%). More of them preferred both print and electronic information sources; the library remained the most preferred access point for the information resources. Related search strategies a basic-level skills exhibited by the respondents. Phrase searching (25%) and keyword searching (22.7%) are the most common techniques applied in retrieving information. While assessing the relevance, more students (36.3%) relied on titles and a few on abstracts (14.7%), 31.3% preferred dictionaries to find the meaning of the word, and 23.7% of them preferred encyclopedias for finding background information. A moderate level of awareness and low usage were found among students on OER. NDLI (37%) and NCERT (32.3%) were found to be widely preferred platforms. To conclude, it’s observed that students rely on both print and electronic resources; therefore, a hybrid information-seeking model is exhibited by the respondents. Based on the above study results, the study emphasized the dire need for information literacy instruction programs and initiatives to promote OER adoption, suggesting that libraries adopt a pedagogical approach to ensure equitable access to learning resources.

Context: Thanks to the invention of the WWW and HTTP, the production and consumption of information have reached new heights, with millions of bits of information being created and shared online every second. Such an explosion of information has raised significant concerns regarding the credibility and authenticity of the information being shared and consumed. The COVID pandemic of 2020 is testimony to the effects of ‘misinformation’, ‘disinformation’, and ‘fake news’. Aim: It is, hence, essential to carry out studies that track the evolution and trace the trend line of scholarly literature on this phenomenon and its effects. Setting and Design: The study attempts to investigate the prolific scientific literature published in terms of countries and research areas. Methods and materials: A total of 7781 journal articles over the study period from 1993 to 2022 were studied using the Web of Science database. The study has employed VoSviewer for the mapping of the scientific iterature. Statistical analysis used: The study quantifies the chronological growth of research literature using tools such as Annual Growth Rate (AGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), and Doubling Time (Dt). Results: The mapping of research data indicates the trend line and growth of literature in the study area. It is found that there has been a considerable increase in the research literature published on the areas of ‘misinformation’, ‘disinformation’, and ‘fake news’ in recent times.

This study presents a comparative analysis of 50 Library and Information Science (LIS) Blogs and 30 Knowledge Portals to assess their growth, visibility, authority, and impact within the digital ecosystem of LIS from 2010 to 2024. Data were collected on multiple indicators, including platform growth trends, web rankings, backlinks, mentions, subject coverage, and social media engagement across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Statistical measures such as averages, percentages, and correlation coefficients were employed to interpret relationships between digital visibility and user engagement. Findings reveal that while LIS Blogs are more numerous and contribute extensively to discourse in areas like Digital Libraries and Information Literacy, Knowledge Portals demonstrate stronger authority with higher average backlinks, better global rankings, and greater recognition through mentions. Moreover, Knowledge Portals significantly outperform blogs in social media engagement, particularly on LinkedIn and Twitter, reflecting their broader professional reach. Subject coverage analysis shows blogs emphasize reflective and pedagogical content, whereas portals focus on structured access to resources, open access initiatives, and emerging technologies. Correlation results further suggest that cademic credibility, in terms of backlinks and mentions, aligns closely with professional visibility on social media platforms. The study concludes that LIS Blogs enhance diversity and community-driven discourse, while Knowledge Portals emerge as more authoritative and sustainable platforms for long-term influence in LIS scholarship and practice.

Background: This report covers Ebola virus research papers from 2014 6o 2023 using the Scopus interdisciplinary online database. The study’s goal is to examine the year-by-year growth of publications, relative growth rate and doubling time, top ten authors’ contributions, document types, time series analysis, contributions of top ten journals, institutions, countries, and highly cited papers in Ebola virus research publications Aim: This study studies or evaluates Ebola virus research trends from 2014 to 2023 to discuss the possibility of employing data from the Scopus database. Between 2014 and 2023, there was an annual rise in Ebola virus research articles of 6528 research publications, 36225(22.75%) research publications, and H-index is 80, the CPP is 89.44, and the RCI is 0.06. publications. Objectives: To perform a bibliometric analysis of the Global research output in Ebola virus Research between 2014-2023. The authors’ study purpose is to look at how scientometric Ebola virus research is evolving and to detect any trends in that development. It also intends to discover prior trends in Ebola virus research publications published in scientometrics based on the sample data. Material: This study confirmed that the relative growth rate is gradually decreased from 0.57 in the year 2015 to 0.07 in the year 2024 for the given study period. The doubling time of the publication of articles gradually increases from 0.1.22 in the year 2015 to 12.23 in the year 2024. The most prolific authors in the field of Ebola virus. it is observed that Feldmann, H has contributed the highest number of articles i.e. 103(14.57%) research publications in the United states and the large

Background: The National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT) is an innovative initiative launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Education (MoE), formerly the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Government of India. It is a significant initiative aimed at integrating ICT into the education system. The mission has played a crucial role in democratizing access to quality education. Major platforms, such as SWAYAM, Shod Ganga, IRINS, e-Yantra, and the National Digital Library of India (NDLI), have improved academic access, promoted research integrity, and transformed library services. Aims: This study aims to analyze the financial trends and digital initiatives of NMEICT. It specifically explores its impact on higher education and the evolving role of academic libraries in India. Method: Using a case study approach supported by official financial data available on official websites and RTI reports. Results: This study reveals that fluctuating budget under NMEICT from 2008- 09 to 2025-26, with early gaps between projected and actual budget spending. The improved alignment post-2016 indicates stronger financial discipline. In the financial year 2025 - 26, a drastic cut was made in the revised estimate to 114.37 Cr. Down from 655 Cr. Raises concern.

This article presents a case study examining the deployment of mobile technology in the Central Library of Sundarban Hazi Desarat College (SHDC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Located in a remote, rural area of the Sundarban, the college library faced significant challenges, including a high percentage of firstgeneration learners, limited digital literacy, poor infrastructure, and a severe lack of networking opportunities. To ensure continued resource access, the library utilized mobile technology, successfully facilitating remote access to digital collections such as e-books and online journals, and enhancing its online catalog for mobile compatibility. The critical finding is that the library’s success hinged on the strategic reliance on low-bandwidth mobile methods (calls, SMS, and Whatsapps) for communication and resource circulation, rather than sophisticated digital services. Analysis shows a high reliance on mobile devices for librarian activities (6 out of 7 tasks were 100% mobile-based). However, user feedback indicated major barriers: networking problems (71%), lack of skill (59%), and bad electricity service (48%). This study highlights how a library in a geographically disadvantaged area adapted to the pandemic and identifies opportunities for future growth, such as strengthening digital literacy and building a hybrid service model.

Education shapes who we are, drives fairness in society, and helps a nation move forward. India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 takes on some big goals opening up access, raising quality, making learning more inclusive, and pushing lifelong learning, all in step with what the world is aiming for. The policy talks a lot about teachers, but honestly, it barely mentions librarians or information professionals. That’s a huge miss. This study puts the spotlight on these knowledge experts and shows how they can boost NEP’s success preserving knowledge, sharing information, and managing digital resources. When you blend old-school wisdom with new teaching methods and smart tech, information professionals really help build stronger multidisciplinary education, inspire research, and keep India’s languages alive. Bottom line: India needs to bring library and information science (LIS) professionals into the fold if it truly wants to become a knowledge superpower by 2048

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing academic libraries world wide including India, where higher education institutions are adopting AI driven platforms to improve resource discovery, automate cataloging and enhance research support. AI is being applied in initiatives such as “INFLIBNET”, SHODHGANGA and E-SHODH SINDHU, while several universities are experimenting with AI based chat bots, plagiarism detection, and personalized services. How ever challenges related to cost, data privacy, training and infrastructure remain this paper discusses the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in academic libraries with special reference to Indian contexts and highlights future directions for innovation.