Access Authentication to Subscribed e-Resources: Issues and Challenges for the Libraries
A Jessy, Mahabaleshwara Rao · 2015
Electronic information resources or e-resources are an umbrella term for e-articles, e-books, e-journals, e-databases, websites etc. Information Technology (IT) and Information Communication Technology (ICT) have given seamless opportunities for new resources and services to the libraries. Libraries could subscribe electronic resources in different ways. Once the e-resources are subscribed, the next step is providing hassle free and uninterrupted access to the resources. The terms of access and delivery are dictated by publishers, aggregators or vendors, therefore users’ access goes to multiple pointers and thereby become complex. The main objective of the paper is to identify different modes of access authentication to e-resources and issues related to access authentication and to learn about the challenges faced in providing access to e-resources by the libraries. To meet the objectives, available literature related to ‘access authentication’ was reviewed and visits were made to KMC Health Sciences Library and Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) Central Library of Manipal University, Manipal to observe the authentication access provided by the libraries to its users. An evaluation based on discussions with the librarians was also made. This paper discusses different modes of access authentications, issues related to access authentication and challenges faced in providing access to subscribed e-resources of the libraries.