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INTRODUCTION
In the contemporary digital environment, academic libraries have increasingly aligned their services with evolving user expectations by establishing a sustained and structured online presence, which has become a ‘sine qua non’ for higher education institutions (Jange, 2014). Library websites function as primary access points to information resources and services, providing an interactive and accessible interface for users to explore and engage with library collections (Madhu and Kannappanavar, 2024). The overall effectiveness of these platforms depends substantially on their usability, navigational clarity, information architecture, and functional design. Content analysis offers a systematic framework for evaluating these dimensions by examining the organization of information, accessibility features, search functionality, multimedia integration, and aesthetic design components (Kumar and Verma, 2018; Al-Qallaf and Ridha, 2019). Such evaluation enables the identification of strengths, gaps, and areas requiring enhancement to better meet user needs.
Within the Indian higher education landscape, institutions contribute significantly to national development across diverse academic streams. The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), administered by the Ministry of Education, ranks institutions under defined parameters: Teaching, Learning and Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcomes; Outreach and Inclusivity; and Peer Perception across multiple disciplinary domains (Kappi et al., 2021). Pharmacy education, recognized as a critical discipline within the health sciences and characterized by its industry-oriented orientation in India, occupies a prominent position within this framework (Naik and Biradar, 2021). In the 2024 ranking cycle, 467 pharmacy institutions participated, of which only the top 100 were ranked based on composite scores derived from prescribed criteria. Although prior research has examined library websites of NIRF-ranked institutions in domains such as medical, engineering, and universities, limited scholarly attention has been directed toward pharmacy institutions. Accordingly, the present study investigates the content and structural features of library websites/webpages of NIRF-ranked pharmacy institutions in India, with particular emphasis on their role in representing and promoting library resources, services, and facilities within the web environment.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Devi and Verma, (2017) suggested in their study that NITs of northeast Indian libraries need to maintain dedicated websites and incorporate multimedia files to attract users. The websites must be updated at frequent intervals and provide number of visitor statements on their respective websites.
Seshaiah and Rekha, (2019) evaluated web presence of 245 engineering college library webpages of Andhra Pradesh. The analysis resolved that majority of library webpages have information pertaining to library collections, hours and electronic resources. The least updated information was found updated information, FAQ’s, web 2.0 applications, digital library and feedback facility.
Al-Qallaf and Ridha, (2019) studied and examined the design, navigation, web content, services, and web 2.0 features of 110 academic library websites of Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) countries. The author suggested that since the majority of academic users are from the Google generation, it is critical to develop more ‘millennial-friendly’ websites that enable rapid and easy access to ‘Web-based services and content-rich information’. Similar study was conducted by Hugar, (2019) to examine the engineering college library websites of situated in Goa state. The purpose of study was to guide the librarians to design and develop unique library websites with information rich websites with adequate resources and services for their respective libraries and also provide links to other IIT libraries. Ukwattage (2019) analyzed the instructional guides present on the health science library websites of Sri Lanka to support academic teaching, learning, and research activities. It was found that none of the library websites under scope provided instructional guides when compared with international library websites in similar fields.
Kumar and Yadav (2020) studied the efficiency of the top ten NIRF-ranked Indian university library portals in 2019. Researchers prepared a weighted checklist based on previous studies with four main headings (general information, library collections, services, and social web technologies) and scored them in the categories of excellent, good, average, and poor. Based on the evaluation of the websites, none of the websites obtained scored in the ‘excellent’ class; only one website obtained scored in the ‘good’ class between 60 and 80%. Ambika and Ganesan, (2020) content analysis of NACC-accredited 26 engineering college library websites of Bangalore and ranked the website based on the obtained score. The analysis found information that engineering college library websites are not at satisfactory level and needs improvements in overall characteristics. Only 3 websites stood under the score of excellent under predefined criteria. Ullah, (2021) used the content analysis method to evaluate the 45 medical library websites in Pakistan. The overall results found the development of medical library websites was in its infancy and missed most of its important features while communicating with the users (Appendix 1).
| NIRF Rank | College Name | Library URL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamia Hamdard | http://www.jamiahamdard.ac.in/LibrayInformationSystem/faculty-pharmacy-library.html |
| 2 | Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani | https://library.bits-pilani.ac.in/ |
| 3 | JSS College of Pharmacy | https://jssuni.edu.in/jssaher/college-of-pharmacy-ooty/cpo-library-and-information-center.html |
| 4 | Institute of Chemical Technology | https://www.ictmumbai.edu.in/DisplayPage.aspx?page=qandItemID=eq |
| 5 | JSS College of Pharmacy | https://jssuni.edu.in/jssaher/college-of-pharmacy-mysuru/library-and-information-center-facilities.html |
| 6 | Panjab University | https://library.puchd.ac.in/ |
| 7 | Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal | https://www.manipal.edu/mu/campus-life/around-campus/campus-facilities/libraries/libraries-kmc-manipal.html |
| 8 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Mohali | https://niper.gov.in/lic.htm |
| 9 | SVKM`s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies | https://www.nmims.edu/library |
| 10 | S.R.M. Institute of Science and Technology | https://www.srmist.edu.in/library/ |
| 11 | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | https://aimslibrary.stacksdiscovery.com/ |
| 12 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Raebareli | https://niperraebareli.edu.in//library.html |
| 13 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Ahmedabad | https://niperahm.ac.in/niper-a-library/ |
| 14 | Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University | https://dpsru.edu.in/dpsruLibrary |
| 15 | Lovely Professional University | https://www.lpu.in/academics/libraries.php |
| 16 | Jadavpur University | https://jadavpuruniversity.in/about/facilities/library/ |
| 17 | Chitkara University | https://library.chitkara.edu.in/ |
| 18 | Chandigarh University | https://www.cuchd.in/student-services/libraries.php |
| 19 | Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University | http://gbl.bbau.ac.in/ |
| 20 | Amity University | http://auup.amity.edu/infra-library.aspx |
| 21 | Central University of Punjab | https://cup.edu.in/library.php |
| 22 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Kolkata | http://www.niperkolkata.edu.in/library.aspx |
| 23 | I. S. F. College of Pharmacy | http://isfcp.org/i/infrastructure-and-facilities/ |
| 24 | Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) | http://www.mmambala.org/facilities/library.php |
| 25 | Annamalai University | http://aulib.annamalaiuniversity.ac.in/ |
| 26 | Banasthali Vidyapith | http://www.banasthali.org/banasthali/wcms/en/home/library/campusilib/index.html |
| 27 | Central University of Rajasthan | https://www.curaj.ac.in/library |
| 28 | Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences | https://research.shooliniuniversity.com/infrastructure |
| 29 | Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | https://library.sriher.com/?pos=3 |
| 30 | Birla Institute of Technology | https://www.bitmesra.ac.in/Show_Other_Department?cid=1anddeptid=130 |
| 31 | National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research Hajipur | https://www.niperhajipur.ac.in/library-and-information-centre/ |
| 32 | AU College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University | https://www.andhrauniversity.edu.in/library.html |
| 33 | Poona College of Pharmacy, Pune | http://elib.bvuict.in/moodle/course/view.php?id=37 |
| 34 | Nirma University | https://pharmscilibrary.nirmauni.ac.in/ |
| 35 | Maharshi Dayanand University | http://mdurohtak.ac.in/library/lib_libraryprofile.html |
| 36 | SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy | https://bncp.ac.in/Infrastructure/M__11 |
| 37 | N.G.S.M. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences | https://ngsmips.nitte.edu.in/library.php |
| 38 | KLE College of Pharmacy, Belgaum | https://klepharm.edu/library.php |
| 39 | Dibrugarh University | https://dibru.ac.in/library/ |
| 40 | Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda | https://www.hmlibrary.ac.in/ |
| 41 | Integral University | https://library.iul.ac.in/ |
| 42 | Punjabi University | http://www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in/Pages/Page.aspx?dsenc=Library |
| 43 | Parul University | https://paruluniversity.ac.in/libraries |
| 44 | Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management | https://library.gitam.edu/ |
| 45 | Suresh Gyan Vihar University | https://www.gyanvihar.org/library |
| 46 | Galgotias University | https://www.galgotiasuniversity.edu.in/p/campus-life/library |
| 47 | Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University | https://rtmnuopac.libsys10.in/home/dashboard |
| 48 | L. M. College of Pharmacy | https://sites.google.com/site/lmcplibahmedabad/home |
| 49 | Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya | https://www.ggu.ac.in/CentralLibrary.aspx |
| 50 | R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research | http://rcpatelpharmacy.co.in/library/ |
| 51 | Mohan Lal Sukhadia University | http://www.uclmlsu.org/ |
| 52 | Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam | https://spmvvlib.wordpress.com/ |
| 53 | Smt. Kishoritai Bhoyar College of Pharmacy | https://skb.edu.in/index.php?option=commonpageandRID=7anddepid=3 |
| 54 | Kumaun University, Nainital | https://www.kunainital.ac.in/about-ku/infrastructure-and-facilities/central-library |
| 55 | Acharya Nagarjuna University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences | https://www.nagarjunauniversity.ac.in/colleges/pharma/library |
| 56 | Vels Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) | https://www.library.velsuniv.ac.in/ |
| 57 | Nandha College of Pharmacy | https://nandhapharmacy.org/library-3/ |
| 58 | Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth | https://kvv.edu.in/library/ |
| 59 | M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences | https://www.msruas.ac.in/facilities/fph-library |
| 60 | Sharda University | https://www.sharda.ac.in/library |
| 61 | Gujarat Technological University | https://www.gtuelibrary.edu.in/ |
| 62 | Anurag University | https://anurag.edu.in/library/ |
| 63 | Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University | https://mitwpu.edu.in/life-wpu/library |
| 64 | Bombay College of Pharmacy | https://www.bcp.edu.in/College_Library.aspx |
| 65 | Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology | https://www.gnipst.ac.in/pharmacy/about-library.php |
| 66 | Bundelkhand University | https://www.bujhansi.ac.in/en/page/library-facilities |
| 67 | Y. B. Chavan College of Pharmacy | https://www.ybccpa.ac.in/Department/Deptindex.aspx?page=aandItemID=gkandnDeptID=o |
| 68 | KIET Group of Institutions: KIET Group of Pharmacy | https://www.kiet.edu/KIET%20KRC%20Overview |
| 69 | Sri Venkateswara College of Pharmacy | http://svcop.in/library.html |
| 70 | Bharati Vidyapeeth College of Pharmacy | https://copkolhapur.bharatividyapeeth.edu/index.php/infrastructure/infrastructure-library |
| 71 | Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Pharmacy | http://www.akcp.ac.in/library.htm |
| 72 | B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | https://library.crescent.education/ |
| 73 | Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences | https://shuats.org/webwapp/central_library.asp |
| 74 | Acharya and B M Reddy College of Pharmacy | https://www.acharya.ac.in/library |
| 75 | Vishnu Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research | https://viper.ac.in/amenities/infrastructure/library |
| 76 | Kakatiya University | https://kakatiya.ac.in/university-library |
| 77 | Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation | https://www.vmmckkl.edu.in/library |
| 78 | Uka Tarsadia University, Bardoli | https://www.utu.ac.in/Library/index.html |
| 79 | Shri Vishnu College of Pharmacy | https://www.svcp.edu.in/library/ |
| 80 | Dr. B. C. Roy College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences | https://bcrcp.ac.in/library |
| 81 | CMR College of Pharmacy | https://cmrcp.ac.in/library-2/ |
| 82 | P. E. Society`s Modern College of Pharmacy | https://www.mcop.org.in/Library.aspx |
| 83 | Principal K.M. Kundnani College of Pharmacy | https://kmkcp.edu.in/library/ |
| 84 | AISSMS College of Pharmacy | https://aissmscop.com/about-us/infrastructure/library-facility/ |
| 85 | College of Pharmacy, Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences | https://www.uhsr.ac.in/detail.aspx?artid=49andmenuid=63 |
Rafiq et al., (2021) examined the quality of the library websites of QS World's top-ranked 50 medical university libraries to explore the services, resources, information dissemination tools, and training opportunities provided to library users. The study revealed that the majority of library websites provided basic information about libraries, subscribed resources, and services. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn were most popular among the medical libraries to disseminate the latest information to its users. “Patron-driven acquisition" was the least commonly used service by the users, and only 40% of them are using mobile apps. Dhule (2021) have valuated the library websites of the top 30 ranked law institutes in the 2021 edition of the NIRF ranking process. The author selected standard criteria for evaluating library websites based on studies. Each library website was thoroughly scanned with the help of an online survey and observation technique. The analysis resolved out of 30 libraries 19 libraries were found under external webpages as their library websites; the remaining 11 libraries have dedicated websites. It was found that all selected websites have information pertaining to reference services, reprographic services, reading rooms, and links to web OPAC. The majority (72.5%) of websites have basic information about library, contacts, working hours, and library staff, and the majority (70%) of websites have information and links to legal databases (SCC online, Lexis Nexis, Manupatra, Westlaw, and Hein online). Similar study was conducted by Komal and Sonkar, (2021) to examine the web presence of library websites of the top ten NIRF-ranked medical institutes in India. The data was collected through online survey from respective websites to know availability of contents. The analysis resolved that the overall content found on the websites under study is not satisfactory, and the selected websites should completely restructure the websites with the latest information. Verma, (2011) evaluated quality and quantity indicators (usability and usefulness) on library websites from selected research centers in India. As per the analysis, the library websites in India are lagging behind compared to international standards in terms of methodologies and techniques. The content and information available on library websites in India are not up to the mark, and regular updates are lacking.
Indira, (2022) used the content analysis method to evaluate the 68 college library websites that are affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University from Kerala State, India. The study resolved that only 50% of the libraries of have active library websites with live web OPAC link and provision of access to e-resources. Pervez and Haridasan (2022) examined the web-based resources, services, and facilities offered by the library websites of the Indian Institute of Management. Based on the analysis, IIM's library websites play an indispensable role in disseminating, communicating, and reflecting the resources in a well-defined and appropriate manner. Brahma and Verma, (2022) studied the web content of 50 national library websites in Asia to know the general information, design factors, web aids tools, statement of responsibility, currency details, webpage size, and speed, and rank the websites based on their global ranking on Alex traffic rank. The websites of the national library of Japan secured the top position among the Asian library websites on the global rank, and the least ranked website was the Cyprus national library website.
Objectives
- To examine the web presence of library websites/webpages of NIRF-ranked pharmacy institutes in India (2024 edition).
- To investigate the approaches adopted in the development of library websites/webpages of NIRF-ranked pharmacy institutes in India.
- To analyse the library collections, services, and facilities presented on the selected library websites/webpages of NIRF-ranked pharmacy institutes in India.
- To identify the Web 2.0 features incorporated into the library websites/webpages of NIRF-ranked pharmacy institutes in India.
SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY
The current study used the content analysis method to evaluate the library websites/webpages of NIRF ranked pharmacy institutes in India. The selection of only the NIRF ranked pharm institutes of India was documented from the official website of https://www.nirfindia.org/2024/PharmacyRanking.html 2024. A predefined checklist was structured based on previous literature published by Devi and Verma, (2018); Al-Qallaf and Ridha, (2019); Bharati and Madhusudhan, (2019). The present study was limited to only 85 library websites out of 100 in total. The remaining fifteen websites were eliminated due to the non-availability website/webpages or having information about their libraries within few lines. For the collection of data, online survey of websites/webpages of selected (see Annexure 1) was performed from 1st September to 31st September of 2024. The content of websites was classified into two parts to know their presence and absence in selected library websites/webpages. The collected data was entered and tabulated with the help of Microsoft Excel for interpretation (Table 1).
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Link under Facilities/Central Facilities Menu | 18 | 21.18 |
| Directly linked to the home page has Library/Central Library | 16 | 18.82 |
| In the Infrastructure Menu | 10 | 11.76 |
| Other way (Differentiators, Institutes, Others, About Us, Anonymous) | 8 | 9.41 |
| Academics | 7 | 8.24 |
| Campus Life | 7 | 8.24 |
| Student Corner | 6 | 7.06 |
| Resources | 4 | 4.71 |
| Linked in the footer of the Homepage | 4 | 4.71 |
| Amenities | 3 | 3.53 |
| Quick Links | 2 | 2.35 |
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Accessibility
Prior research highlights the importance of prominently placing the library link on an institution’s homepage to enhance accessibility and user navigation. The analysis of NIRF-ranked (2024) pharmacy institutions indicates that 21.18% of library links were positioned under “Facilities/Central Facilities,” followed by direct homepage links labeled “Library/Central Library” (18.82%) and placement under “Infrastructure” (11.76%). Other locations included miscellaneous menus (9.41%), “Academics and Campus Life” (8.24%), “Student Corner” (7.06%), “Resources” (4.71%), the homepage footer, “Amenities” (3.53%), and “Quick Links” (2.35%). The findings reveal considerable variation and a lack of uniformity in the structural placement of library links across institutional websites.
Availability
The rapid advancement of ICT and Internet technologies has accelerated the digital transformation of libraries over the past two decades, positioning websites as integrated platforms for delivering information, resources, and services. Library websites, in particular, function as virtual interfaces that communicate institutional resources and service offerings to users. The analysis of pharmacy institute library websites reveals that 77.65% were structured as webpages embedded within the parent institutional website, while 14.12% maintained independent or dedicated library websites. Only 3.53% employed open-source content management systems such as Google Sites, Moodle, or WordPress (Poona College of Pharmacy; L. M. College of Pharmacy; Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam), indicating limited adoption of autonomous digital platforms (Table 2).
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Used a separate webpage | 66 | 82.35 |
| The library has a separate website | 12 | 14.12 |
| Used Content Management System | 3 | 3.53 |
Basic Information
Table 3 specifies the general information provided through the respective pharmacy library websites. The analysis found that 100% of the websites contained basic information about the library/history of the library. Following this, 65.88% of the websites provided information about the library's working days, and 64.71% offered information about the library's operating hours. 52.94% of the websites provided information on library membership, while 51.76% of sites provided information on library holidays. Library rules and regulations were found on 47.06% of the library websites, while 40.00% of websites have listed library staff details. 34.12% of the websites contained statements about the library's mission, vision, and objectives, while 23.53% featured information on library news and events.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| About the Library/History | 85 | 100 |
| Library Working Days | 56 | 65.88 |
| Library Operating Hours | 55 | 64.71 |
| Library Membership | 45 | 52.94 |
| Library Holidays | 44 | 51.76 |
| Library Rules/Regulations | 40 | 47.06 |
| Library Staff Details | 34 | 40 |
| Mission/Vision/objectives | 29 | 34.12 |
| Library News/events | 20 | 23.53 |
Library Specific Details
Table 4 outlines the library-specific information presented on the pharmacy library websites. The findings indicate that 70.59% of websites provided collection statistics, while 52.94% disclosed details of the library automation software in use, including Koha, SOUL, LibSys, and other systems. Information on IT infrastructure was available on 40.00% of websites, followed by photo or video galleries (38.82%) and library infrastructure details (30.59%). Data regarding the library advisory committee appeared on 24.71% of websites, whereas only 16.47% specified the classification scheme adopted, such as DDC, UDC, or NLM. Further, 12.94% mentioned the open access system, 11.76% described the library layout, and a limited 7.06% provided information on budget allocation, reflecting uneven disclosure of institutional library details.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Library Statistics | 60 | 70.59 |
| About the Library Automation package | 45 | 52.94 |
| IT Infrastructure in the Library | 34 | 40 |
| Photo/Video Gallery | 33 | 38.82 |
| Library Infrastructure | 26 | 30.59 |
| Library Advisory Committee | 21 | 24.71 |
| Technical Organization | 14 | 16.47 |
| Open Access System | 11 | 12.94 |
| Library Layout | 10 | 11.76 |
| Budget Allocation for the Library | 6 | 7.06 |
Physical Collections
Print collections remain fundamental to traditional academic libraries, representing both scholarly resources and preserved intellectual heritage. These holdings typically include books, print journals, newspapers, magazines, and other physical materials aligned with curricular requirements. The analysis of pharmacy library websites (Table 5) indicates that 94.12% provided information on books and print journals. Details on back/bound volumes (57.65%) and theses/dissertations (56.47%) were moderately represented. Information on newspapers (42.35%), magazines (35.29%), special or rare collections (31.76%), and book bank facilities (24.71%) appeared less frequently. Limited disclosure was observed for technical reports (14.12%), standards (8.24%), conference proceedings (7.06%), and newsletters or bulletins (4.71%), reflecting variability in the online representation of print holdings.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Books | 80 | 94.12 |
| Print Journal | 80 | 94.12 |
| Back/Bound Volumes | 49 | 57.65 |
| Thesis/Dissertation | 48 | 56.47 |
| News Papers | 36 | 42.35 |
| Magazines | 30 | 35.29 |
| Special/Rare Collection | 27 | 31.76 |
| Book Bank | 21 | 24.71 |
| Technical Reports | 12 | 14.12 |
| Standards | 7 | 8.24 |
| Conference Proceedings | 6 | 7.06 |
| News Letters/Bulletin | 4 | 4.71 |
Digital Collections
The emergence of electronic resources has substantially transformed information preservation, access, and dissemination in academic libraries. Unlike traditional print-based collections, e-resources encompass e-books, e-journals, databases, bibliographic tools, and multimedia content, enabling seamless, remote access to scholarly information. The analysis of pharmacy library websites (Table 6) indicates that 94.12% provided information on e-journals and e-books, while 84.06% listed electronic databases. Details regarding consortium membership and the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) were available on 43.53% of websites, and 40.00% included links to abstracting and citation databases. Information on question banks and CD/DVD collections appeared on 35.29% of sites, followed by e-theses (30.59%) and faculty publications (25.88%). Pharmaceutical databases such as SciFinder and Reaxys were referenced by 21.18% of websites, CD-ROM databases by 16.47%, and only 1.18% mentioned e-patents, indicating uneven representation of specialized digital resources.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| E-Journals | 80 | 94.12 |
| E-Books | 80 | 94.12 |
| Databases | 74 | 87.06 |
| Library Consortium | 37 | 43.53 |
| NDLI | 37 | 43.53 |
| Abstracting and Citation Database | 34 | 40 |
| Question Banks/Papers | 30 | 35.29 |
| CD/DVD | 30 | 35.29 |
| E-Theses | 26 | 30.59 |
| Faculty Publications/IRINS/SheRNI | 22 | 25.88 |
| Pharmaceutical Databases | 18 | 21.18 |
| CD-ROM Database | 14 | 16.47 |
| Patents | 1 | 1.18 |
Research Tools and Support
Incorporating these research tools and support systems into library websites empowers users to conduct research more successfully and independently with sufficient resources. Library users can benefit from these resources, resulting in a more efficient and knowledgeable research process, making library websites an essential hub for expanding knowledge and scholarly achievements at the same time. Table 7 highlights the list of information provided by the pharmacy library websites regarding research tools and support. The analysis found that 44.71% (DrillBit-12, Turnitin-10, Unknown-6, DrillBit and Turnitin-3, Ithenticate-3, Turnitin and Urkund ouriginal -2, DrillBit and Ithenticate-1, Urkund ouriginal and Ithenticate-1) of the websites provided information regarding plagiarism detection tools. Following by, 16.47% of the websites have information on grammar checker “Grammarly”. Information regarding personalised research assistance was provided by 10.59% of the libraries. Information regarding the paraphrasing tool "QuillBot" was provided by other 10.59% of the websites. A very small proportion (1.18%) of websites have information and links to statistical software.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Plagiarism Detection Tools | 38 | 44.71 |
| Grammar Checker | 14 | 16.47 |
| Research Assistance | 9 | 10.59 |
| Paraphrasing Tool | 9 | 10.59 |
| Statistical Software | 1 | 1.18 |
Reference Management Tools
Table 8 outlines five criteria used to assess the availability of reference management support on pharmacy library websites. The analysis indicates that 9.41% of websites provided information and links to Zotero, while 8.24% referenced Mendeley, and an equal proportion indicated subscription access to EndNote. Additionally, 5.88% of websites offered citation guides, and 4.71% linked to free online citation generators. Overall, the findings suggest limited institutional emphasis on promoting reference management tools through library websites.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Zotero | 8 | 9.41 |
| Mendeley | 7 | 8.24 |
| Endnote | 7 | 8.24 |
| Others | 5 | 5.88 |
| Online Citation Generator | 4 | 4.71 |
Services and Facilities
Table 9 presents the services and facilities highlighted on pharmacy library websites. The analysis shows that reprography services were most frequently reported (58.82%), followed by internet browsing facilities (48.24%) and remote access to e-resources (44.71%). Core services such as circulation (43.53%), reference assistance (42.35%), interlibrary loan (41.18%), and new arrivals (38.82%) were moderately represented. Current awareness services (30.59%) and newspaper clippings/document delivery (20.00%) appeared less frequently. Limited visibility was observed for RFID-enabled services (18.82%), selective dissemination of information (11.76%), bibliographic services (9.41%), referral services (7.06%), kiosk circulation (5.88%), and table of contents alerts (4.71%), indicating uneven online representation of user-centric services.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Reprographic Services | 50 | 58.82 |
| Internet Browsing (Ports and Wi-Fi) | 41 | 48.24 |
| Remote access | 38 | 44.71 |
| Circulation Service | 37 | 43.53 |
| Reference Services | 36 | 42.35 |
| ILL (Inter Library Loan) | 35 | 41.18 |
| New Arrival Display | 33 | 38.82 |
| Current Awareness Service (CAS) | 26 | 30.59 |
| Newspaper Clipping | 17 | 20 |
| Document Delivery | 17 | 20 |
| RFID | 16 | 18.82 |
| Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) | 10 | 11.76 |
| Bibliographic Service | 8 | 9.41 |
| Referral Services | 6 | 7.06 |
| Kiosk | 5 | 5.88 |
| Table of Content (TOC) | 4 | 4.71 |
Value Added Services
Table 10 highlights the value-added services featured on pharmacy library websites. The findings indicate that 68.24% of websites provided Web OPAC access for bibliographic searching. Institutional repositories were linked on 32.94% of websites, while 15.29% offered an online book recommendation facility. Advanced or federated search options were available on 14.12% of sites to enable unified access to e-resources. A smaller proportion (7.06%) included virtual journal recommendation services, and an equal percentage provided links to download a dedicated library mobile application. Overall, the provision of advanced value-added services remains limited across institutions.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Web OPAC | 58 | 68.24 |
| Institutional repositories | 28 | 32.94 |
| Book Recommendation | 13 | 15.29 |
| Advanced/Federated Search Facility | 12 | 14.12 |
| Ask a Librarian | 8 | 9.41 |
| Journal Recommendation | 6 | 7.06 |
| Mobile Library App | 6 | 7.06 |
Web 2.0 Features
Table 11 highlights the presence of Web 2.0 tools on pharmacy library websites. The analysis indicates limited adoption of such interactive platforms. Blogs were the most commonly used tool, appearing on 8.24% of websites for disseminating news and updates. Google Sites was utilized by 4.71% of institutions to present library information, services, and open-access resources. Links to Wikipedia were observed on 3.53% of websites, while RSS feeds were adopted by only 2.35%, reflecting minimal integration of participatory web technologies in library web environments.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Blog | 7 | 8.24 |
| Google Sites | 4 | 4.71 |
| Wikis | 3 | 3.53 |
| RSS feed | 2 | 2.35 |
Links to Social Networking Sites
Table 12 presents the availability of Social Networking Site (SNS) links on pharmacy library websites, revealing that 17.65% of the websites primarily utilize YouTube to disseminate library tour videos and recorded lectures from their respective institutions. This is followed by 10.59% of websites linking to Facebook to provide updates on recent events and library services, while 7.06% connect to Instagram for visual promotion and user engagement. Additionally, 5.88% of the websites include links to X and WhatsApp Web to support timely communication and interaction. Overall, the findings indicate a moderate integration of SNS platforms, with a clear preference for video-based outreach through YouTube compared to other social media channels.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | 15 | 17.65 |
| 9 | 10.59 | |
| 6 | 7.06 | |
| What Up's Web | 5 | 5.88 |
| X | 5 | 5.88 |
Website Aids and Tools
Competent library websites integrate diverse web tools to ensure efficient service delivery and improved user experience. Table 13 analyses the availability of such features on pharmacy college library websites. The findings show that 28.24% of the websites provide keyword-based search functionality, while 27.06% include links to Google Site Maps to facilitate easy navigation and location identification. Image swap/rollover effects and email or “contact us” options are present on 12.94% of the websites, and 11.76% feature FAQs to address common queries. Feedback mechanisms and chatbot assistants are adopted by 9.41% of the websites, whereas 7.06% provide scrolling news bars and QR code facilities. Only 4.71% offer a 360-degree virtual library tour, and a minimal 2.35% include a suggestion window, indicating limited adoption of advanced interactive tools.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword Search option | 24 | 28.24 |
| Sitemap | 23 | 27.06 |
| Image Swap/Rollover effect | 11 | 12.94 |
| E-mail/Contact us | 11 | 12.94 |
| FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions) | 10 | 11.76 |
| Feedback form | 8 | 9.41 |
| Chatbot Assistant | 8 | 9.41 |
| Scrolling News Bar | 6 | 7.06 |
| QR Code Facility | 6 | 7.06 |
| 360-degree view/Library Virtual Tour | 4 | 4.71 |
| Suggestions | 2 | 2.35 |
Currency
The currency of library websites significantly influences their usability and user satisfaction, as it reflects how regularly information and resources are updated. In this study, currency refers to the synchronization of website content with recent developments and institutional activities. Table 14 shows that 21.18% of the websites include visitor counters to monitor usage. However, only 8.24% had updated their content within the past three months, and just 4.71% displayed the date of the latest update, indicating limited attention to maintaining and communicating content currency.
| Criteria | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors Counter | 18 | 21.18 |
| Page that has been updated in the past three months | 7 | 8.24 |
| Date of update | 4 | 4.71 |
Major Findings of the Study
The present study was intended to study only the web content present on 85 library websites NIRF ranked pharmacy institutes of India.
- Only 18.82% of institutions provided a direct “Library/Central Library” link on the homepage, whereas a larger proportion placed the link under indirect menus such as “Facilities” (21.18%) and “Infrastructure” (11.76%), reflecting a lack of standardization and reduced visibility.
- A majority (77.65%) of libraries functioned as webpages embedded within the parent institutional website, while only 14.12% maintained independent library websites. The adoption of open-source content management systems was minimal (3.53%).
- Basic information about the library was available on all websites (100%). However, operational details such as working days (65.88%) and working hours (64.71%) were only moderately represented, and strategic statements (mission and vision) appeared on just 34.12% of websites.
- Collection statistics were reported by 70.59% of websites, and 52.94% disclosed details of library automation software. Transparency regarding budget allocation (7.06%) and classification schemes (16.47%) was notably limited.
- Information on books and print journals was widely available (94.12%), while theses/dissertations (56.47%) and bound volumes (57.65%) were moderately represented.
- E-journals and e-books were prominently listed on 94.12% of websites, and electronic databases were reported by 84.06%. In contrast, specialized resources such as pharmaceutical databases (21.18%) and e-patents (1.18%) were minimally represented.
- Plagiarism detection tools were mentioned by 44.71% of websites, whereas grammar checking (16.47%) and paraphrasing tools (10.59%) were less frequently indicated.
- Reference management tools received limited attention, with Zotero (9.41%), Mendeley (8.24%), and EndNote (8.24%) appearing on a small proportion of websites.
- Reprography services (58.82%), internet browsing facilities (48.24%), and remote access to e-resources (44.71%) were the most frequently reported services.
- Web OPAC access was available on 68.24% of websites, while institutional repositories were linked by 32.94%. Federated search facilities (14.12%) and dedicated mobile applications (7.06%) were implemented to a limited extent.
- The adoption of Web 2.0 platforms was generally low; blogs (8.24%) were the most commonly used tool, whereas RSS feeds (2.35%) were rarely integrated.
- Among social networking platforms, YouTube (17.65%) was the most frequently linked, followed by Facebook (10.59%) and Instagram (7.06%), indicating modest engagement through social media.
- Keyword-based search functionality (28.24%) and Google Site Maps (27.06%) were moderately available, whereas advanced features such as 360-degree virtual tours (4.71%) and suggestion windows (2.35%) were rarely incorporated.
- Visitor counters were present on 21.18% of websites. However, only 8.24% had updated content within the previous three months, and merely 4.71% displayed the date of the most recent update, suggesting limited emphasis on maintaining content currency.
CONCLUSION
The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed academic libraries, positioning library websites as essential platforms for information access and service delivery. In this context, content analysis serves as a systematic approach to evaluate the structure, scope, and quality of information presented on library websites, enabling the identification of trends, strengths, and content gaps. The present study provides a comprehensive overview of the content features of pharmacy library websites of institutions ranked under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). In the contemporary ICT-driven environment, where users expect instant access to information through modern devices and the internet, a dedicated and well-designed library website enhances institutional visibility, strengthens professional image, and improves user engagement through effective presentation and interactive features.
The findings indicate that only a few libraries have adopted open-source content management systems, reflecting an emerging tendency among librarians to independently develop and manage their websites. However, the majority of the evaluated websites lack comprehensive information on collections, services, and facilities, highlighting the need for systematic improvement. To remain relevant and responsive to evolving user expectations, pharmacy libraries should incorporate emerging web technologies, including Web 2.0 tools (RSS feeds, blogs, and social networking platforms), Web 3.0 applications (semantic search tools, chatbots, AR, and VR), and advanced intelligent web features. Strengthening interactive services such as “Ask a Librarian” and structured feedback mechanisms is also essential to enhance user support and ensure continuous improvement of library website services.