The production of chicken eggs on a widespread industrial level has led to the generation of a large amount of egg shells. These egg shells are considered to be bio-hazardous waste materials although they are a rich source of amino acids and minerals. In the present investigation, effort has been made to incorporate waste poultry egg shell particles (ESP) both in carbonized (C) as well as uncarbonized (UC) form into the matrix of an Aluminum-Silicon (Al-Si) alloy to improve its mechanical properties. Various mechanical properties of the resulting composites such as tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, hardness, toughness, impact and compressive strengths have been determined and found to increase after the addition of the ESPs confirming that the incorporation of waste ESPs in the Al-Si matrix serve as reinforcements. The increase in mechanical properties such as the hardness (10.2% - UC, 19% - C), tensile (6.61% - UC, 10.61% - C), compressive (9.12% - UC, 63.94% - C) and impact strengths (30.07% - UC, 302.35% - C) is more pronounced in the case of carbonized ESPs. Field-Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) has been conducted to determine the compositions of the matrix materials as well as the composites.

Purpose – The paper aims to evaluate the usability of the website of Central Science Library (CSL), University of Delhi. Multi-method approach of evaluation is used with the use of standard checklist and questionnaire survey of representative users. Besides, the information architecture of the website under study is analysed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature review and the author’s experience, a usability assessment tool for library websites was developed by Pant (2013). It comprises standard checklist and questionnaire for users’ survey. In the present study, this framework was used to assess the usability of CSL website. The questionnaire survey of 35 representative users was conducted through random sampling. The results of both methods (standard checklist and questionnaire survey) were analysed for evaluating the website usability. Findings – Need for improvement of the website was realised in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and learnability for better usability. Notice board, site search facility, list of services, FAQs and user guides were the most sought after features among others as per the analysis of the questionnaire survey. Besides, the need to enhance the visual appeal of the website was felt. However, information resources provided through the CSL website were found useful for users. Originality/value – The paper presents an innovative multi-method approach of website usability assessment while considering six usability attributes: Usefulness, Efficiency, Effectiveness, Learnability, Satisfaction and Accessibility. The approach adopted in this paper is cost effective in comparison to formal usability tests and heuristic evaluation. Therefore, this framework is suitable for libraries having limited budget to ensure the user-centred library website with maximum usability. This paper encourages other libraries to conduct similar website usability evaluation to identify the usability problem areas and users’ perception for their respective website.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to determine whether a sufficient number of e-books is available in science streams from different publishers to satisfy the need of an academic library to develop an e-book collection based on its collection development policy. This study aims to identify e-book equivalents for print books acquired by Central Science Library, University of Delhi. Design/methodology/approach -This study provides the in-depth quantitative analysis according to title-by-title selection of e-books from various international publishers compared to the recommended books for different science courses of the University of Delhi. The study was conducted following that of Price and McDonald which shows that around 30 per cent of print books have e-book equivalents. The data collected were analyzed by using a simple method of calculation and percentages were calculated to interpret the results of the study. Findings -The results show that only about 17per cent of print books have e-book equivalents available from different publishers, fulfilling only 9-15 per cent of the requirements of most of the courses -something that does not match the library's collection development policy.Research limitations/implications -The present study is based on the books recommended in the curriculum of different science courses of the University of Delhi for the academic year 2009-2010. According to subject-wise distribution of e-books variation of about 2 per cent in the findings occurred, as some books are mentioned in the curriculum of more than one course. This study provides some constructive suggestions which may help librarians to explore ways to spend the budget for collection development of e-books in a more appropriate way. Originality/value -As this paper is based on in-depth quantitative analysis of availability of e-books according to need of a particular academic library, generalization about availability of e-books cannot be made. However, it contributes to trace the growth of e-books and suggests some alternatives to develop e-book collection. Further studies can be done for different library settings to find out their need for and availability of e-books.