ICT and Libraries
Libraries which
were considered only as the storehouses of knowledge, have got a new outlook in
the modern Information Communication Technology era. The activities which were
carried out manually in libraries with so much of pain and strain are being
carried out smoothly with the help of ICT with greater effectiveness. Library
organization, administration and other technical processing have become easier
and more quantum of work can be done in relaxed mood. ICT, which is the basis
for the MBO, generates more results at a given time.
University Libraries in the ICT
Era
University
libraries are not the exemption from the impact of ICT. Such libraries are very
much interest in incorporating the latest ICT in their administrative
functions, technical works and user services. University Grants Commission
liberally contributes the grants to the university and other affiliated
colleges to install the ICT facilities and generate a digital environment.
INFLIBNET is actively involved in the automation and digitization of university
libraries. Really the encouragement and cooperation given by the INFLIBNET by
its various activities like funding, training, orientation, workshops and
publication made the university libraries equipped with all ICT tools for
providing better services to the students researchers and teachers.
Meaning of Digital Library
A digital library is a library consisting of
digital materials and services. Digital materials are items are stored,
processed and transferred via digital (binary) devices and networks. Digital
services are services (such as reference assistance) that are delivered
digitally over computer networks. It maintains all, or a substantial part, of
its collection in computer-accessible form as alternative, supplement, or
complement to the conventional printed and microform materials that currently
dominate library collections.
The
terms such as ‘electronic library’, digital library’, ‘virtual library’,
‘web-library’, or ‘on-line library’ have been used synonymously to represent
the same concept. Though the terms used synonymously to represent the same
concept, the terms are used differently by different authors in the literature,
the central theme of the terminology remains focused on digital content of the
documents (2).
Purpose
The
purpose of digital library is to facilitate access to electronic information,
print material, and library services to ensure that the information needs of
user community are met, regardless of their location. It enables libraries to
deliver valuable information that already exists within library walls
electronically to patrons outside those walls, to create new digital resources locally,
and to integrate local digital resources with remote ones.
Paper:
U K. Vinitha & others 4 The number of people accessing digital collections though the WWW also
shows explosive rates of growth. Finally, internationalization is making a
“global information environment” a reality.
The purpose digital library is to provide:
• Interaction
with potential information users;
• Interaction
with information resources: and
• Mediation
between information resources and users to add value during the information
transfer process.
Advantages
• Digital
libraries are essential to enable more people to create and use vast amounts of
distributed information and to contribute to the quality and quantity available
via the web and future access frameworks.
• Digital
libraries remain closely linked to advances in high performance computing and
networking and both contribute to and validate these technologies.
• Digital
libraries are inertly international knowledge is recorded and stored in many
forms, often using different languages and symbol systems.
Services
The
purpose of digital library services is to enable the user to access the
information required for knowledge enhancement. Digital library services
include information about all the services, collections, digital resources,
library instruction sessions and services. The specific services of digital
library include providing remote access library resources-both printed and
non-printed, service deliveries and generation information on library. Depending
upon the bylaws or regulations of the individual organizations, the access
could be limited to members, or limited to certain resources like commercial
database, where only members can access them through password (1,2,6).
Statement of the Problem
Considering the enormous benefits that are experienced
in the impact of ICT in Nigerian University Libraries, the Nigerian academic
libraries still experience some obstacles or hindrances in the effective ad
efficient use of the ICT resources in the library. Today, ICT acquisition and
implementation is facing a lot of problems. This research work is being
conducted to expose some of the inhibiting factors that are hindering the
impact of ICT on Nigerian academic Libraries. Among the militating factors
hindering the impact of ICT on Nigerian academic Libraries are a lot of capital
investment to buy hardwares, softwares and standby generators for the library.
Lack of search skills, automation at infancy level, epileptic power supply, and
technical know - how are some of the problem encountered by the academic
libraries.
Objectives of the Study
1. To ascertain the level of
computerization/automation of academic Libraries.
2. To determine the usefulness of ICT resources in
academic libraries.
3. To determine the efficiency and effectiveness of
ICT in academic library.
4. To determine how skillful and knowledgeable the
staff are in the use of ICT resources.
5. To determine the challenges associated with the
application of ICT in Nigerian academic libraries.
Research Questions
1. To what extent has information and communication
technology been employed in Nigerian university libraries?
2. What is the usefulness of information and
communication technology in Nigerian academic libraries?
3. How efficient and effective is the use of ICT
resources in Academic Libraries
4. Do the staff of the academic Libraries have the
required knowledge and skills in using ICT resources?
5. What are the factors militating against the
application of ICT in academic libraries?
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to ascertain the impact of
ICT on Nigerian academic libraries. The research work highlights the advantages
or merit associated with ICT on academic libraries in Nigeria.
Scope of the Study
This research work is on the impact of ICT on Nigerian
University Libraries using John Harris Library (Benin City) and Benson Idahosa
University Library (BIU) as a case study
Significance of the
Study
i. This study is expected to provide a basis for
comprehensive information on information and communication technology
procurement and application in Nigeria University Library.
ii. The study will established the existing gaps in
the adoption of information and communication technology in the operations of
academic library in achieving their statutory functions.
iii. The output of this study will serve as a
blueprint for libraries, information managers/information scientists,
researchers, lecturers, students, and teachers to chart the right course of
action for the use of information and communication technology in furthering
education through policy formulation and implementation.