MAXIMIZING THE VALUE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT

CHAPTER ONE
 
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
 
Introduction
 
The library plays a prominent role in the academic institution providing access to world-class information resources and services that stimulate research in the library. Hence, the success of any institution depends upon its library; the library being the citadel of learning so library services are basic. National Education Commission reports that libraries play an important role in the dissemination of information. Academic libraries support learning, teaching, research appropriate to their parent institutions; they cater to the needs of the library users, not only for teaching, learning, and research but also in the conservation of knowledge. The new technologies especially electronic technologies have contributed to the radical changes in Library and information science practice. The phrase I.C.T has been used by scholastic researchers since the 1950s. Information and communication technology has induced long-established libraries to convert into digital libraries. The library has changed from close-access libraries of earlier times to the present day hybrid, digital, and virtual library. Librarians have modified from mere bookkeepers who were involved with the protection of books against stealing, mutilation, and pilferage, to that of information officers, navigators, and cybrarians who encourage the use of information material digitally. Librarians now satisfy their users’ needs anytime, any format and anywhere. University libraries now provide more efficient and effective user-oriented services with the use of ICT. In the traditional libraries, users have to spend more time searching for information and for that they have to depend on the Librarian or library staff. In the age of information communication technology, the Internet and computers are used for day-to-day operational services of the library which saves the time of the users, and Librarian also at the same time avoid duplication of work and make the library service smooth and effective as stated by the father of Library Science, R.S Ranganathan in the 4th law of library and information science “Save the time of reader”. The availability of the right information at the right time and in the right form is of utmost importance to users for their knowledge and library activities. Developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have greatly changed the methods of information management in the library. ICT is the combination of tools and measures that facilitate the acquisition, storage, organization, retrieval, and transmission of information using electronic means. The gear utilized in ICT embrace computer programs, programming languages, databases, communication networks, analysis and design strategies, artificial intelligence etc. ICT has long-standing control in almost all areas of human activity. Over the past two decades, libraries have become more conscious of the revolutionary impact of developments in information and communication technology on their services. The application of ICT facilitates simple and fast access to information. It provides opportunities for libraries to widen the scope of their resources and services and to increase their significance within the institution they serve.  The last few decades Information Communication Technology has become an integral part of all the aspects of the library. The proper implementation of ICT in libraries results in better resource sharing and more effective services to the users.