Information seeking behavior of academic Libraries of North Indian Universities

Transition to a hybrid information environment has fundamentally reshaped the information-seeking behavior (ISB) of students and researchers. This study examines the contemporary ISB for postgraduate students and researchers in the academic libraries of North Indian universities. It aims to identify preferred sources of information, challenges faced during the information search process, the extent of digital resource use and the role of information literacy in navigating the complex information landscape. Using a mixed method approach, this research will use surveys and semi-structured interviews to collect data from selected central and state universities across North India. The study intends to explore patterns in resource discovery, the influence of mobile technologies and social media on scholarly communication, and the effectiveness of library services in meeting user needs. Databases and academic search engines, while also revealing persistent challenges such as information overload, evaluation of source credibility, and inadequate search skills.