PU denying access to online research journals

Students Chandigarh:A number of online research journals procured by Panjab University (PU) are lying unused for the last one month as the computer centre of the University had blocked certain URLs last month to prohibit the use of the internet for personal work in the digital library. ast month, a group of students were caught accessing social networking sites and personal e-mails in the digital library, following which the chief librarian requested the computer centre to block access to certain cites on the IP addresses of lab computers. The students claim that in doing so, the authorities have blocked access to the online journals as well. “I needed some references from an international journal for my thesis. However, the subscription cost was too high and I could not afford it. I was told that the digital library may allow access to related studies. However, I have failed to access the journals since the URLs have been blocked,” said Amanpreet (name changed), a PhD scholar of the University.

When contacted, Chief Librarian Raj Kumar said, “There might be confusion over the blocking of sites among students. We have blocked access only to social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and personal e-mail sites. The journals are still accessible. I will still look into the matter.” According to sources, the University recently procured these rare journals, spending nearly Rs 5 lakh on subscriptions. However, they have been lying unused for the last one month. This is not the first time that the authorities have blocked access to certain sites for University students. In January this year, the computer centre had blocked the IP addresses of about 15 hostel students after they were found accessing explicit content using the Wi-Fi network.

Source |
Financial Express | 10 May 2012