Impact of Information and Communication Technology in Academic Libraries, over the Last 25 Years - Essay Example

The Impact of Information and Communication Technology in Academic libraries, over the last twenty five years Executive Summery 4 Introduction 4 ICT: An overview 5 Traditional Library system 6 Motive of Library system change 7 Is old library system still useful? 7 Transforming old library through ICT 8 Components of ICT in Libraries 9 ICT and the Public Library 10 ICT and the academic Library 11 Impact of ICT on Academic and Public libraries 11 Materials circulating 13 Library budgets 13 Library infrastructure 14 Staffing 14 Library security 14 Effective library management through ICT 15 Conclusion 15 Bibliography 15 Executive Summery The present age considered as the age of information technology. We are now living in a world where distance is not a problem. Implementation of information and communication technology can be seen all around us. Each field of present life has totally transformed and emerged into a better and enhanced operational structure. This research presents the detailed analysis of the implementation of new technology at libraries. In this research, the main technology about which I will talk about is information and communication technology. This research is aimed to provide a detailed analysis and impacts of information and communication technology library environment. Introduction In past few years the operational structure of each area of life has transformed and emerged as more organized, disciplined, managed, and easy to handle structures. Influence of the new technology emergence can also be seen on the traditional structures of library system. New technology at libraries (public, academic) has offered a better way of knowledge handling, management. The vital transportation is about the widening the knowledge and information access. The aim of this research is to assess and examine the main technological changes which have occurred in the library environment over the past twenty five years. In this paper I will examine the two main kinds of libraries (public and academic libraries). The main concentration in this research will be given to the effect on the library services in respect to the following areas, materials circulating, library budgets, library infrastructure, and staffing and library security. ICT: An overview Before we start our discussion about implementation of ICT in library we should know the basic concepts. ICT (information and communications technology - or technologies) is a collection or combination of two terms, one is information and while other is communication technology. ICT consists of any communication device or application, encompassing: television, cellular phones, radio, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and many more, also there are diverse services and applications connected with these devices, for instance videoconferencing and distance learning. ICTs are normally spoken of in a specific perspective, for example ICTs in education, health care, or libraries (TechTarget, 2004). However this paper will concentrate on libraries. Oliver (2003), has outlined the emergence of ICT technology in our life. (Oliver, 2003), stated that Information and communication technology is a force that has transformed a lot of aspects of lives. ICT has extensive and significant effects on all the areas of life which include tourism, medicine, business, travel, banking, law, architecture, and engineering. All these fields of life are now operating in a new way as compared to past. Now we are observing that world is moving speedily in the direction of information and digital media. In this technology based age the role of ICT in education is turning out to be more and more significant and this significance will continue to raise and develop in coming years (Oliver, 2003). Kozma (2005) outlined that, in the past the ICT experties were key factor for the community change and monetary and fiancial development throughout the globe. In a lot of nations the progress in economic as well as social development is linked with the ICT experties. While (Kozma, 2005) outlines that present period is giving more attention to the educational sector regarding the effective managemnt of the students learning and teachers deliverence of knowledge. At the present, we can see the ICT technology implimentataion and its implimentataion to the education sector (libraries, classrooms etc) regarding the potential enhancemnt in the national development and establsihment of progress goals (Kozma, 2005). If we see the impact of ICT on libraries it can be defined as “the computing and communications services and tools that variously support teaching, learning, searching, and various activities in library”. The use of ICT tools depend on the nature and resources of libraries (KentICT, 2004). Traditional Library system A tradition “library systems” are buildings that hold huge volumes books and print information (Interparty, 2009). The library system is really old and established in each society and culture. The main motive behind the establishment of the library system is to provide a central repository of knowledge. This repository of knowledge serves all the people that desire to access the knowledge. This system was successful for a long time because it offered people a less cost access to a huge repository of knowledge. This also offers access to book and data that is difficult to search, purchase, and collect. Before the emergence of new information and communication technology these library systems were the main sources of knowledge for the people. People were dependent on library systems. However after the emergence of new web based information technology the customary library practice has completely transformed. The value and importance of local and academic libraries are drastically degraded and number of people accessing the libraries decreased to negligible amount (Interparty, 2009), (Ornager, 2003), and (Vinitha, Kanthimathi, & Devi, 2006). Motive of Library system change The landscape of change in library system is really easy to assess and can be measured analytically through visiting public or academic library. The main reason behind this change encompasses lot of factors. These factors can be: Difficult to search knowledge and information, from bookshelves It is time consuming to go to a library and search through shelf to shelf Accessing main and useful information from a book after searching from a library is also hard and time consuming Limited access to book, knowledge, and information Complex structure of books arrangement Complex handling of book loaning Hard copy books The above mentioned factors can be considered as the main factors behind the transformation and renovation in the old library system. These factors need to be considered and relational while discussing the ICT technology implementation at old library system. Chisenga (2004) carried out a survey on ten African public libraries regarding the assessment of the use of ICTs. In this regard it is assessed that these libraries are having more and high rate of readers. In these libraries the facilities of the ICT have offered the local residents an opportunity to search and extract huge and useful knowledge and information through an easy and state of the art technology (Chisenga, 2004). Is old library system still useful? After seening the usefulness of ICT in libraries a question comes in mind of each person that is will libraries still be useful? After the emergence of internet and huge data stores on web no one has interest in accessing the local library. However it is vital to understand that libraries were the main knowledge sources in the past. New technology also renovated the customary practice of library system. Now we have the facility of Internet access and consequently, would utilize the academic or local librarys computers. On the other hand, the truth is that ‘extremely small number of people making use of libraries’. The main reason is accessibility and availability of computers and ICT to children at school, adults linked at work, and most of people are able to access the information through the Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and cell phones that at the present expanded services (Interparty, 2009). However libraries are places where for the family to spend Sunday afternoons. This offers an opportunity regarding the spending with some community as compared to spend time with some personal gadgets, alone, on computers or with electronics devices. In this technology age a trip to a local library is no longer a special outing enthusiastically anticipated through old and young alike. Unluckily, these issues are damaging to the survival of libraries. The small amount of grants, less of users and small concentration from government side make the overall situation more badly. Generous organizations as well as regular citizens who were in the past supported library projects are at the present holding their wealth in favor of other significant investments. Additionally, libraries drop user ship as well as funding; they are not capable to offer additional relevant up-to-date services to their clients. Therefore it has turned out to be a cycle which is destined to fail (Interparty, 2009) and (Vinitha, Kanthimathi, & Devi, 2006). Transforming old library through ICT In each society and institution the basic and main intention is to transform and renovate the customer library system. The main tool or technology that can help in the survival of this old structure is the ICT (Information and communication technology). This technology is the only hope that can revive the customer library based knowledge extraction. Now we can see that this technology is operational in each aspect and areas of life. The survival of the customary library practice can be done through this technology. In the following section I will present the main areas and technologies that are implemented to transform the library structure. Components of ICT in Libraries Islam & Islam (2006) outlined some of the new ICT technologies for the ICT based library systems. They have presnetd that ICT approached as an effect of the digital convergence of telecommunication technologies, computer technologies as well as other media communication technologies (Islam & Islam, 2006). The main components and technology now operational in worldwide libraries are discussed by Islam & Islam (2006) as components of Information Technology (IT) that frequently used in library and information center located globally follows the below given main technologies and their combination. Communication Technology Computer Technology Reprographic Micrographie Printing technology The above given ICT based technologies are the combination of two important technologies: communications and electronics. The following given technologies are frequently found in most of ICT based libraries: (Islam & Islam, 2006) Computer technologies Workstations Mini computers Microchip technology Artificial Intelligence Software technology CDS (computerized documentation system) ISIS (integrated set of information system) Digital Books Internet LAN CD ROM Motion picture ICT and the Public Library Das (1999) has outlined that most of the governments are now supporting the regeneration of community and public information by means of the assistance of information and communication technology. The facility of Internet is at the present available in most of the modern world libraries. Most of the libraries are presently having their own websites. The major stress is on formulating the public library the opening to the public information services and Information Super Highway. Most of governments are planned to provide the entire public libraries the facilities of Internet-ready computers, legislative as well as additional public information on CD-ROM, also superior communication by schools. Now they have planned to deploy the ICT training as well as media education, mutually intended for the common public as well as school pupils (Das, 1999). In this whole new structure of renovating libraries the staff has been trained in carrying ICT based library services. In this regard the skill of development for the ICT content, standardization, co-operation, centralized expertise and common hosting are indispensable if a novel step forward in library services is to be taken (Debibliotheken, 2001). ICT and the academic Library Islam & Islam (2006) argued that most of the global universites are self governing and idenpecednt bodies. The implimentataion of the new ICT technology at their learning structure offers them a greater opportunity regardeing the enhancement of overall learning structure. There are also no or less financial barries in case of acedemic libraraies regarding the implimentataion of the new technoplogy (Islam & Islam, 2006). Therefore it can be sated that ICT technology is elovoving in a more better in acedemic libraries of world over the last 25 years. Impact of ICT on Academic and Public libraries David (2001) has presentated some of the main impacts those have broghten by the ICT technology in previous 25 years. Computer has carried a novel influence to the library as well as information practice. In libraries (public and academic), information technology has supported library professionals to offer quality and value added data, knowledge, and information service as well as offer other remote access to the worldwide obtainable information resources. At present extremely refined ICT (information and communication technology) to ease the storage of enormous amounts of information and data in a extremely compact space. ICT assures speedy retrieval of stored data and information as well as transform our ideas of the operations of a customary library as well as provides a modern information center (David, 2001). Newly technological developments have radically transformed the form of library services and processes. Contemporary ICT structure is influencing on a variety of features of libraries as well as the information profession. Development in ICT in libraries as well as the broad utilization of ICT is consequential in digital media and digital information sources putting back and becoming the leading appearance of information retrieval and storage (Islam & Islam, 2006). David (2001) outlined that, in this age the term library no longer represents simply to a physical buildings situated in a specific geographic place on the other hand, we are presently having digital or electronic or virtual libraries that are accessible from anyplace and anytime. In the new ICT based libraries we can find not just a physical building with information resources like that periodicals, books, films, videos and a lot of new information technology resources those can be referred to digital resources. Approximate all of global Universities have physical libraries and now in most of universities website we can find the digital libraries that are offering access to worldwide huge information and knowledge resources, journals, periodical and academic materials. The access to specific university’s digital library is restricted and limited to only students or teachers of that university. While in case of public libraries each member of library is able to access the Internet and facilitated web based academic and information resources. David (2001) outlined the main significance of ICT at public libraries is facility that accessing the digital resource and information resources is not limited to particular hours and days of the week (David, 2001). Most of libraries have their own websites which offer the grater facility regarding the access to same information that is available in the physical library to their home computer through the internet. In this way the restrictions of physical library building has vanished in both academic and public libraries. The propagation of digital information obtainable over the academic and public libraries’ Internet, intranets as well as extranets is ensuing into libraries as well as information centers dropping their previous place as the attention of the information environment in numerous organizations. Both academic and public libraries are turning out to be one of the many information systems obtainable to information end-users. ICT survives as well as formulates authenticity of the rules of Library Science-’each reader his/her information/books, accumulate the time of the readers as well as Library is a emergent organism. ICT by means of its great rapid transmission speed, information sources and simple access to make sure the satisfaction of the user by means of complex demand has smashed the distance barrier as well as condensed the time necessary and make sure about the delivery of accurate information to the correct reader at the right time. It as well increases and resolves the libraries requirement of collection development. It is actually an excellent tool intended for the library as well as information centers (David, 2001). Materials circulating The implementation of the ICT structure at both public as well as private libraries offers a greater advantage regarding the material circulation. Pervious knowledge is kept in physical boundaries and it becomes extensively hard to access that knowledge in an easier way. Implementation of new ICT technology offers a huge advantage and makes easier and wide material circulation. Islam & Islam (2006) presented some of difficultes regarding the circulation of the digital material. These difficuties can be regarding the copyright and data secuity. The imporved management of these difficultiess offers a huge advantage regarding the better management of ICT based library structures (Islam & Islam, 2006). Library budgets In implementation of the ICT technology we need to spend huge financial resources. I have already mentioned a list of main ICT technology resources which can be implemented in a library. This implementation at public level requires huge investment and need to be governed through the government. However in case of the academic libraries the implementation of ICT technology is aimed to offer a better opportunity to student regarding the effective education. Therefore academic libraries have more flourishing structures regarding the ICT technology implementation. Library infrastructure Implementation of the ICT technology offers an extensive level of infrastructure transformation. These transformations can be at access level, knowledge level, management level, and services level. In all these areas the ICT technology offers broad and better support for the data and information delivery. Here we will obtain many advantages regarding the easy management, less time in data search and effective management of library resources. Staffing Implementation of the new technology also requires effective and better training of the library staff. This new training is aimed to effectively manage the ICT based structure of the library. In this scenario we will require better skills and training regarding the management of the digital data and resource available at library. Library security After the implementation of ICT technology we have new and more expensive technology available at the physical premises. The enhanced management of the security is really essential for overall library. In case of web based digital library we necessitate a better web based protection of the data and information resources. Effective library management through ICT According to Kude (2009), the implimentataion of the ICT at traditional libraray managemnt structure offers a great advantage regarding the easier managemnt of the resources located at the libraray. Digital management of catalogs, and other resources become easy to use and effective through the implimentataion of the ICT technoplogy (Kude, 2009). Conclusion Information and communication technology has changed the structure of libraries in last 25 years. In this research I have presented detailed analysis of the ICT technology emergence and its implementation to the public and privates libraries. In this paper I have discussed how ICT technologies are offering better and enhanced management of libraries services and knowledge. I have outlined diverse areas of the ICT and its implementation at libraries. I hope that this paper will offer a detailed over main idea of ICT emergence at Libraries. Bibliography Chisenga, J. (2004). The Use of ICTs in African Public Libraries [A Survey of Ten Countries in Anglophone Africa]. International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) . Das, H. (1999). Implementing ICT in Public Libraries: Eindhoven, a Case Study. Bertelsmann Foundation Publishers Gütersloh . David, L. T. (2001). ICT for Library and Information professionals: A Trainina Packaae for Develohna Countries. Retrieved 10 23, 2009, from Editor: Professor John Andrew Large McGill University, Canada: http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:2GpG7DUdS6oJ:dlist.sir.arizona.edu/1534/01/125104e.pdf+ICT+in+libraries&cd=94&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk&client=firefox-a Debibliotheken. (2001, October 22). ICT and the Public Library. Retrieved 10 23, 2009, from Debibliotheken.nl: http://www.debibliotheken.nl/content.jsp?objectid=3387 Interparty. (2009). The impact of Information Technology on Governments. Retrieved 10 23, 2009, from http://www.interparty.org/impact-of-ict-on-libraries.html Islam, S., & Islam, N. (2006). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Libraries: A New Dimension in Librarianship. Retrieved 10 23, 2009, from Asian Journal of Information Technology 5(8): 809-817: http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:8OZcQur__9AJ:medwelljournals.com/fulltext/ajit/2006/809-817.pdf+ICT+in+libraries&cd=92&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk&client=firefox-a KentICT. (2004). What is ICT ? Retrieved October 14, 2009, from kented.org.uk: http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/ict/definition.htm Kozma, R. B. (2005). NATIONAL POLICIES THAT CONNECT ICT-BASED EDUCATION REFORM TO ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. An Interdisciplinary Journal on Humans in ICT Environments: Volume 1 (2) , 117-156. Kude, N. (2009). Impact of ICT on Library Management and Services. (International Conference on Information Technology and Business Intelligence (ITBI 09)) . Oliver, R. (2003). The role of ICT in higher education for the 21st century: ICT as a change agent for education. Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia . Ornager, S. (2003). Development of ICT for library and information professionals: a training package for developing countries in Asia and Pacific from Unesco. Program: electronic library & information systems (pp. 109-112). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. TechTarget. (2004, January 14). What is ICT? Retrieved October 13, 2009, from TechTarget.com: http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid183_gci928405,00.html Vinitha, K., Kanthimathi, S., & Devi, K. T. (2006). Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Library and its Services. DRTC – ICT Conference on Digital Learning Environment, (pp. 1-7). DRTC, Bangalore. Read More