Evaluation of Content, Usability, and Digital Services of Medical Institute Library Websites in India: a comparative study

This study evaluates the qualitative and quantitative features of medical institute library websites in India, focusing on multimedia integration, content organization, library services, and user interface design. Nineteen National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 top-ranked medical institute library websites were evaluated using a structured framework comprising 164 checklist parameters across 12 categories. Data were collected through manual observation over two months (May-July 2025), involving approximately 95 hours of systematic evaluation to ensure reliable and consistent analysis.

The findings reveal substantial variation in technological adoption and user-centred design. While essential information and core services are generally available, advanced features such as Web 2.0 tools, interactive tutorials, accessibility provisions for persons with disabilities, and dynamic multimedia elements are limited or inconsistently implemented. The evaluation analysis shows that none of the websites achieved an ‘excellent’ rating; three were classified as ‘above average’, twelve as ‘average’, three as ‘below average’, and one as ‘needs improvement’. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, ranked highest, followed by SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Chennai, and Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, demonstrating relatively comprehensive functionality and content coverage. Lower-ranked institutions exhibited structural and interactive deficiencies. The study highlights the need to strengthen multimedia integration, accessibility features, navigation systems, and regular content updates to develop more robust and user-focused medical library web portals in India.