The Library-Not Just About Books!

7/29/2019 The Library-Not Just About Books!

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The Library:

Not just about

books!By:

Ayotunde Badaru

February, 2013


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It is no longer news that libraries all over the world are experiencing changes in

operations and services because of the impact of information and communication

technology and internet applications. Libraries now evaluate old operations andservices and refine them to suit the current trends in the society in order to remain

relevant.

It can be said that, the library regardless of the type or location has over the years

fulfilled its role as a custodian of information materials of various types and forms

ranging from one field of study to another. Specifically, the traditional role of the

library is to select, collect and preserve information. This traditional role hasnt

changed; instead it has broadened or expanded in terms of scope with the advent of

information and communication technology and internet applications.

Obviously, information and communication technology and internet applications

have impacted institutions, organizations, agencies and business through the

integration of its concepts and technologies into the operations of these entities, the

library being one.

This write-up will identify how the library uses information and communication

technology and internet applications to articulate its role and deliver better

services.


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First, lets take a brief look at the main subject; a library. The word library is tracedto the Latin word liber meaning books. Therefore, a library is a collection of

books and other literary materials that are kept for reasons suitable to the patron.

The library cab be also been seen as a collection of information materials such as

books, films, maps, manuscripts, phonographic records and so on for retrieval and

use by patrons. There are a lot of definitions for the word library, am sure you

will have one.

The library is located at different places and has different functions depending on

where it is located; this forms the basis for different types of libraries which can beacademic (university or college) library, public (state, city) library, school (high or

secondary, primary) library, special (organization, personal, research) library.

The library handles information in different forms i.e. it acquires processes,

organizes, makes available, preserves and conserves materials that contain

information for patrons or users. Therefore, the whole essence of the librarys

existence hovers around information; information is why any library exists.

Information however, can be presented in two major forms: print form and non

print form. These two are umbrella terms for other materials such as books,

microfilms, films, audio-visual materials and so on.


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Information Communication Technology is a term used to refer to an integration oftelecommunication equipment, wireless signals, and other technologies that are

capable of transmitting information from one place to another. The term is an

extension ofInformation Technology (IT) used since the 1980s by researchers. In

addition to this, according to Antherjanam and Sheeja (2008), ICT is the

convergence of computers, communication and microelectronic based techniques.

Technologies such as computers, telephones, mobile devices, www

(World Wide Web), internet, videoconferencing, satellite technologies and others

make up ICT. One of the greatest ICT component however, that has impacted thelibrary and its environment is the computer. The computer, a machine that is

capable of doing just about anything, is the basis for the use of other technologies

and the internet.

Information Communication Technology from my opinion is a catalyst: a global

phenomenon that speeds up change in every aspect of human endeavor. From

being known by few members of the society, ICT has rapidly led to a paradigm

shift to paperless workplaces and computing, and based on the definition given

by the Information Technology Association of America which states that

Information Technology involves study, design, application and implementation of

computer based systems; the 21st century library in every aspect of its operations

through study and design has applied and implemented computer based systems to

its operations and services.

Shivakumari noted in his PowerPoint presentation on the impact of ICT on

academic libraries in India, that the emergence of the internet and web as the

repository of electronic information as impacted the library greatly. The internet

therefore is another major component of the ICT that better utilizes ICT

technologies and aids communication.


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No doubt, the internet and web are two major ICT components that haverevolutionized the information industry by providing information for just about

anything, but this doesnt change the fact that these components has led to the

creation of an information jungle. Now, a jungle is majorly characterized by

confusion and complexity with various types and species of flora and fauna,

applying this to the information industry shows information of various types

having different subjects scattered all over the web, thereby leaving the searcher

with information relevant and irrelevant to what is needed. The search process

therefore is eventually slowed down and will not yield the result required leading

to frustration.

The library like I said earlier selects, collects and preserves information. The

library therefore, identifies what is demanded by the patron, goes into the

information jungle, searches through all information, selects the relevant one for

the patron and the preserves it for them. The library therefore has expanded its

roles due to information explosion resulting from the innovation of ICT. On the

other hand, the library uses ICT to search for, retrieve, and present information to

its patrons. And according to Shivakumari, web based information resources suchas e-books, e-journals and e-reference sources accessed through networks has

taken the library to its patrons.

The library therefore, with the innovation of ICT is even more relevant than ever as

its roles will come to life and be better articulated in this age of information

explosion

Now, look at how the library expands its role through ICT:

Collection development: The library through ICT has access a wider range ofinformation materials from different parts of the world. Online catalogues, online

bookshops and publishers website are used for search for relevant information

materials. In cases of periodicals, online journals are subscribed to and

downloaded for free or on a specified amount.


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Internet Applications: Internet applications are applications that are accessed

over a network. These applications are hosted in a browser controlled environment

and rely on internet connectivity. The major ones used by the library include:

Blog: A blog captures the views and opinion of a person, group,organization and others based on particular topic. A library creates a blog to

convey key messages, promote awareness and provide research findings on

various fields of study. The library also serves the community through the

provision of information about events and happenings in the community

through blog.

Podcast and readcast: The two applications allow the library to uploaddigital recordings or text materials for patrons from all around the globe to

download. Podcasts and readcasts associated with RSS feeds that areidentified by patrons interested.

E-Learning groups: E-Learning is also a platform the library uses throughICT. Groups are created through wikis, blogs, and online groups for sharing

information. Each member of the group provides an opinion about a topic

which will benefit other in the group. The library can also provide sources

of reference and information materials to aid learning.

E-mail: Perhaps the most widely used internet application used today, e-mail enables users with an account send messages to one individual or

numbers of persons. The librarian uses e-mail to interact with users,

subscribe for online materials, and create online groups and so on.

Ready reference service: Ready reference service is an ICT enabled service that

brings the library to the patron. Reference queries are can be asked by patrons

through e-mail, videoconferencing and instant messaging, the reference librarian

searches for information that suits the query and replies the patron almost instantly.

Cataloguing: Cataloguing and catalogues just got a lot better with ICT. Online

catalogues can be used to view catalogues in other libraries for copy cataloguing,

decision making and so on. A major innovation is: OPAC (Online Public Access

Online)


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OPAC: Online Public Access Catalogue is a great ICT component in thelibrary industry. Catalogue holdings of a library can be accessed without

being physically present in the library, thereby, bringing the patrons to the

library in an instant. Information can be gotten on the spot when needed.

Catalogues from other libraries can be accessed based on agreement between

libraries.

MARC: Machine Readable Cataloguing started as a pilot project in theLibrary of Congress and offers speedy cataloguing process and flexibility.

MARC can be applied to variety of information materials, thereby

incorporate all the information materials in the library in one location.

MARC is a major ICT tools that saves the time of the user and reduces cost

of producing card catalogues.

Preservation and conservation: The library through ICT provides reprography

of information materials through the printing, photocopying and scanning. Library

materials therefore, can last long as possible; patrons can saves time by producing

copies needed without having to spend time in the library. Library materials can be

conserved in online databases and computer storage disks and can be retrievedeasily without stress.

The Library Website: The website of any library is as a presence of the library

on the internet. The library can be read about and contacted through information

displayed on the site. The library website however, is also more than a presence

but also a virtual resource that the library exploits to deliver services like Current

Awareness Services, provision of links to online databases and interesting sites that

keep the patron informed. The library website offers community service through

the display of news, and upcoming events in the environment like sports, politicsand entertainment.


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The library now 2.0 is surrounded with various information sources and patronswith varying needs, this environment however, should not be a reason for

confusion and despair. The library should therefore, take up the responsibility of a

guide, a guide in the sense that, the library through the resources it possess should

ensure that members of the society are directed to information they need at the

right time.

The influence of ICT on the library should not be seen as challenge but as a

stepping stone to better service delivery and activities and with the current shift to

computer based information acquisition, use and storage, the library will definitelycontinue to be relevant in the society and not just be about books according to

popular opinion.


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Antherjanam and Sheeja (2008). Impact of ICT on Library and Information

Science: Major Shifts and Practices in CUSAT Central Library. International-

CALIBER: p. 35-43
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