Fakhra khalid
Use of information and communication technology in academic libraries
Information Communication Technology (ICT) is a main compoundof the advancement and development of information in a technological way. Information, as power is effective an efficient resource and a vital tool needed for the development of all sectors in any country. It is an authoritativesystem in libraries to satisfying the information need of the users. The emergence of ICT has impacted greatly on the quality of information provided through academiclibraries. In this 21st century, the extreme role of ICT in library operations cannot be over emphasized. Many academiclibraries routines and operations that were performed manually are now converted into computerized system. Applications of ICT techniques providing better and faster services to the end users. According to Janakiraman and Subramaniah (2015):
“The world now experiences a digital scenario in which ICT has changed the possibilities of the library job promotions and has brought changes to expected library performances”
ICT is a generic term that refers to the technologies that are used to collect, store, edit and communicate information in various format (Raji, 2018). The use of ICT improves access to digital information. Adoption of ICT in libraries is a way of improving on information services provided in libraries. This is an era, when people need to access timely information with ease and fast, and this can only be done through the application of ICT to library services. It is also a way of contributing development of information of the country, since timely and effective provision of useful information can assist in building up a society ICT as an enabling tool, assist libraries in provision of information, which is very paramount to development of the various sectors in the nation. Libraries are playing a very important role facilitating access to global information and knowledge resources, using ICT.
Many institutions and organizations including libraries face technological challenges in the process of implementation ICTs to their services. Information provision is important to development and growth of any country’s success.ICT is a term used in the library to refer to application of computers and other technologies to library practices such as acquisition, storage, organization and dissemination of information. The world has become a global village and with ICT, many library users now have access to vast sea of information, without necessarily investing much time or energy. The process of generally and distributing information is now being facilitated through the use of ICT.
Benefits of ICT in Libraries
Globalization driven by ICT is presently having phenomenal impact on library practices ICTSs are significant and useful tools for sustainable development in all fields and all aspects of our society. ICTs provide means to actualizing developmental goals in education, health, agriculture, business and commerce among others.Internet provides up-to-date information on any subject. For the professional duties, computers are used to automate different manual functions. Acquisition, cataloguing of library materials, circulation, cataloguing of library materials, circulation and serials management are now automated in libraries, using available software in the market. ICTs enable libraries to locate store, retrieve and disseminate information. ICT tools such as CD-ROM and e-mail services are used in libraries for dissemination of information. In addition, digitization of information resources which involves converting print resources to electronic form is also carried out, using ICT.
Other benefits of ICT in libraries as stated by Ashikuzzaman (2014) include:
- Provision of speedy and easy access to information.
- Provision of remote and round the clock access to users.
- Provision of access to unlimited information from different sources.
- ICT enable easier, faster, cheaper and more effective library operations.
- ICT helps to manage information overload as information retrieval is made easier in computerized systems.
- Computerization helps the library to save space and reduce paper.
There is no doubt that integration of ICT into provision of library services is able to bring great benefits to the entire community and nation. ICT which remains an enabling tool for provision of timely and current library and information services is also indispensable to the sustainable development (Nwabueze and Ozioko, 2011) ICT can be applied to every aspect of human attempt to achieve excellent outcomes.
