Friday, May 1, 2015

“Challenges and Prospects of Information and Communication Technology Based Services and Its Impact in Library in Digital Era”

 “Challenges and Prospects of Information and Communication Technology Based Services and Its Impact in Library in Digital Era”

                                                                                                                 Ramanik S. Lengure
                                                                                                                            (Librarian)
                                                                                                              Renuka College,Nagpur
                                                                                                                                              ramaniklengure@gmail.com
                                                                                                                  Cell. No. 942086904

Abstracts:
The paper presents the some of the Role of ICT which related Challenges and Prospect of Information and Communication Technology Based Services and Its Impact in Library in Digital Era.
The paper gives an overview of various tools and techniques of Information Technology as well as those of Information and Communication Technology like computers, Information networks, Internet etc.  It also discusses the the challenges and prospects in future ways in which all these new method have affected the entire face of the libraries and information centers in term of information generation, its processing, its storage methods, retrieval of information and its dissemination. How the traditional forms of information services have been augmented using computers, World Wide Web and information networks paving way to new forms of information services has also been elaborated upon. It also discusses various advantages offered by ICT and also the challenges being faced by the information managers in the Digital Era.  

Keywords: Information Communication Technology    

Introduction:-
This is a digital world. In this digital era everyday new technological advances affect the way information is handled in libraries and information centres. The impacts of new technologies are felt by libraries in every aspect. Computing technology, communication technology and mass storage technology are some of the areas of continuous development that reshape the way that libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate and disseminate information to users. The academic library has been from its inception an integral part of institutions of higher learning, rather than an appendix or adjunct.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought unprecedented changes and transformation to academic library and information services, conventional LIS such as OPAC, users services, reference services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, Document delivery, interlibrary loan, Audio visual services and customer relations can be provided more efficiently and effectively using ICT, as they offer convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster and most-up-to-date dissemination and end users involvement in the library and information services process. The impact of ICT characterized on information services by changes in format, contents and method of production and contents and method of production and delivery of information products. Emergence of internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge, changed role of library and information science professionals from intermediary to facilitator, new tools for dissemination of information and shift from physical to virtual services environment and extinction of some conventional information services and emergence of new and innovation web based.
           
            Libraries and information centers have been using ICT based resources and services to satisfy the diverse information needs of their users.  However, these resources and services are not utilized fully.  Under utilizations of these resources and services has been a cause of concern to libraries worldwide.  The use of information and communication technologies has become increasingly important in libraries.  The libraries are switching over to ICT based resources and services at an accelerated pace.  E-Journals, CD-Rom, databases, online databases, e-book, web based resources and a variety of other electronic resources are fist replacing the traditional resources of libraries.

            It’s a digital age very challenges and difficult about information. There is huge information spread in this world. But impact of ICT solved every problems and every field. The above title focus on Challenges and prospects of Information and communication technology based services and its impact in library in digital era
ICT Word:-
            Information and Communications Technology or ICT, is often used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT), but is a more specific term that stresses the role of unified communications[1] and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.
The term ICT is now also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives (huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the audio-visual, building management and telephone network with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution and management. The ICT Development Index compares the level of ICT use and access across the world. [1]

ICT - What is it?

You see the letters ICT everywhere - particularly in education. But what does it mean? Read our brief introduction to this important and fast-changing subject.
ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Technology
ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmits or receives information electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots.
So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other. [2]
ICT includes the range of hardware and software devices and programmes such as personal computers, assistive technology, scanners, digital cameras, multimedia programmes, and image editing software, database and spreadsheet programmes. It also includes the communications equipment through which people seek and access information including the Internet, email and video conferencing.
The use of ICT in appropriate contexts in education can add value in teaching and learning, by enhancing the effectiveness of learning, or by adding a dimension to learning that was not previously available. ICT may also be a significant motivational factor in students’ learning, and can support students’ engagement with collaborative learning. [3]
ICT Metamorphosis Concept:-
            It’s a new coming and growing digital concept. It is a digital, Technical, It related, Computer related.  Information and Communication technologies(ICTs)- which include radio and television, as well as newer digital technologies such as computers and the Internet-have been touted as potentially powerful enabling tools for educational change and reform.  When used appropriately, different ICT are said to help expand access to education, strengthen the relevance of education to the increasingly digital workplace, and raise educational quality by, among others, helping make teaching and learning into an into an engaging, active process connected to real life. So it’s a metamorphosis.
INFORMATION:-
 Shera, information is that it is transmitted by the act or process of communication; it assumes a response in the receiving organism and therefore, possesses response potential. According to Shannon and Weaver “Information is any stimulus that reduces uncertainty”.  Another definition by Chin-chin Chen and Peter Hernon defines information as “all knowledge, ideas, facts, data and imaginative works of mind which are communicated formally and or informally in any format”.  Its motivations are inherently utilitarian.  It is instrumental and it usually is communicated in an organized or formalized pattern, mainly because such formalization increases potential utility.

CONCEPT OF COMMUNICATION:-
            Communication means above varied phenomena are represented by one particular word-communication.  This makes us assume that all of them have something in common by virtue of which they are represented by the same word.  The connecting thread appears to be the idea of something being transferred from one thing or person, to another.’ in a broad way of the term can be specify as information communication in a broad sense of the term includes not merely transference of information in the conventional sense, but also, the expression of feelings, wishes, commands, desires or whatever it may be. 
TECHNOLOGY:-
            The noble scientist Murthy say about the technology is operative for many environmental field of science technology such as library management, library automation, library network, reprography and technical communication.  The term of information technology is widely used for the same in France and Informatics is widely used in Russia and other socialist countries.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:-
            According to the Webster’s new encyclopedia, “Information Technology is collective term for various technologies involved in the processing and transmission of information.  It includes computing telecommunications and microelectronics”. ALA Glossary says that “Information Technology is that application of computers and technologies to the acquisition, processing, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information”. [4]

Components of Information Technology
Data, Information ,Computers,  Software, Mass, Networking

What is ICT?
            Information technology can play an important role in the effective learning process of students engaged in higher studies The term ICT describes the use of computer based technology and the internet to make information and communications services available to wide a range of users. ICT are hardware and software that enable society to create, collect, consolidate and communicate information in multimedia formats and for various purposes.  The term is used broadly to address a range of technologies, including telephones and emerging technology devices.  Central to these is the internet, which provides the mechanism for transporting data in a number of formats including text, images, sound and video.
Impacts of ICT:
            In primitive age’s traditional services, very poor services had been given through library. It’s very difficult to find correct information which had been given. Students had no choice. But now days due to ICT we can get information anytime & anywhere. ICT has the potency of expanding pool of teachers & students & reducing the cost of education.  The Ministry of human Resource development has already launched the nation mission on education through ICT at a large scale.
Information and Communication Technology Tools
 Computer, Internet, Digital Camera, Webcam, Smart Card, Scanner, E-Book, Printer,     Electronic Journals, WEB-OPAC, Animation, E-,Mail, CDROM, DVDRFID Technologies. Magnetic disc/tape optical disk (CD/DVD), flash memory etc. and arguably also paper rescores) technology for broadcasting information –radio, television; and technology for communicating through voice and sound or images-microphones, camera, loudspeaker, telephone to cellular phones.
ICT based Services in Library:-
Many services is provided through ICT. For the ICT every services easy to capture knowledge..  In ICT to justify the realization of five laws of  modern library services Especially third and fifth  law of Library Science is really coming true in current position.  Library services include information about all the services.
Online Public Services, Information Services,  Reference & Information Service, Current awareness services, Documentary services, Interlibrary loans union catalogue, Audiovisual services, Database Collection, Digital Resources, Online /Off-line reservation, Electronic reference desk, User education and training programmers ,Access to library catalogue, database, internet, Circulation of books photocopying of article, Exhibition of New arrival books and Journals
Impact of Information and Communication Technology On Library & Its Services:
            Libraries in India are facing sweeping changes on account of Impact of Information, Communication and Technology application in Libraries.  They are programming well in automating the house keeping operation if Libraries, such as automated circulation system, acquisition of books, e-books, acquision of periodicals, web pages and refining old services and starting fresh ones.
ICT’s Areas of Applications in Libraries:
·         Users Record , Reports ,Issue-Return, Articles Record, Portals, Planning & Controls, Costing & Budget ,Locating Information ,E-mail ,OPAC
Impact of ICT on Library Services:
Ø  Advent of Printing Technology
Resulted in mass production of print documents and enabled democratization of information (availability of information to one and all without any discrimination)
Ø  Storage
            Help the Libraries to preserve the large number of information in compact storage.
Ø  Reprographic Technology
Revolutionized the concept information use as it facilitated to own a copy of relevant portion of Library resource
Ø  Computer

The advent of computer is the biggest technology revolution so far. It has not remained as standalone technology by adopting communication & technology development.

1)      Collection development
ICT has made it possible to acquire Information source such as books, journal, newspaper etc. easily and speedily. Most of publication and their catalogue can be searched from the Librarian for new publication. The acquisition In charge can place their order.

2)      Technical processing
Libraries provide their OPAC to the use Book search. Due to Information Technology number of Libraries is having their catalog online. The library staff can check the bibliographic

3)      OPAC
An Online Public Access Catalog is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries. Users search a library catalog principally to locate books and other material physically located at a library.

4)      Circulation:
Due to new technology users can check their documents easily. IF the document is relevance to the user available the same can be issued to the users. If not available then it may to reserve. The document can be issued electronically by making use of bar code strip or RFI technology.
Resource Sharing
            Due to increasing cost of the document and non-availability of enough funds, libraries are unable to provide each and every material to its users. But due to ICT library solved this problem. The user can search the OPAC of other libraries or may ask the Librarian to provide the desired document. Once he/she is able to search it. He/she can request that library to give the document on Inter-Library-Loan.
Other Services:
Ø  A modern library provides Internet, Inranet and CD-ROM facilities and Document supply, CAS, SDI services, Telecommunication technology, Telephone, Fax, Library networks, Online retrieval services etc.
Ø  Integrated System of ICT in Libraries
Ø  ICT Facilitated to have Information on Different Forms
Ø  E-journal, E-book and Reference Sources
Ø  Information Overload
Ø  Digital Library
Ø  Web technology
The Change and Challenges (Prospects):
            With the ascent of digital documents and digital libraries, library and information professionals’ role has expanded and challenges have increased manifold. These challenges related to collection management, knowledge digital preservation, online searching, content management, knowledge management, and promoting the use of libraries and networks. LIPs  are required to work as leaders, managers, and facilitators.  The ICT and the Internet has thrown open the doors to the LIPs to many opportunities.  Now 24*7 access to information is available round the clock and the traditional constraints of space and time stand collapsed.  LIPs have the opportunity to provide global reach to the indigenous knowledge.
            Similarly, We can get access too world’s knowledge and information through the Internet provided we have the will, skill, and the appropriate attitude.  These opportunities and challenges can be handled effectively by competent library personnel
            They are facing a variety of complex challenges from multiple sectors of the knowledge society in the 21st Century.  The Major Challenges are:
Ø  Information explosion
Ø  Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution
Ø  Explosive growth and usage of web resources
Ø  Dwindling Library budgets
Ø  Escalating cost of printed documents
Ø  Intensive use of digital resources
Ø  Heightened level of users expectations
Ø  Interactive virtual learning environment
Ø  Evolution of virtual educational Institutions
Ø  Changing nature and number of information resources
(Seminar Volume 09,Feb 2011)
            ICT reduce labor and save time of staff and users too.  LAN provides cost effectiveness in various services and allows secured resource sharing through link to a variety of different communication devices.  Internet and E-mail system enable the students and scholars to remote access, worldwide communication among library and information science societies has become easy with the help of E-mail.
            The world wide librarians made their catalogues available online which have online public access catalogues (OPAC) generally available free of cost these are useful for finding books not available locally to identify and select books for local acquisition, bibliographic data verification and to search holding of periodical and monographs.  These can be accessed through telnet, gopher and the World Wide Web.  Many OPACs have full text databases; libraries can use these databases to queries form patrons.  With the emergence of ICT the areas library are expanded world.  The available information present in the library can be feed to homepage and made available to users anywhere.
            ICT has provided new media, new modes of storing and communicating information.  ICT brought many services to library to speed up their activities.  It helps to remove barriers of communication, distance and time.  The advances in technology will continue to improve the effectiveness of libraries.  It helps to transfer data through communication network like internet anywhere.
Some of the advantages and future prospect information technology includes:
a.       Easy to father different library activities.
b.      Collaboration and creation of library networks
c.       Avoid repetition of efforts within a library
d.      Increase the range of services offered
e.       Save the time of users
f.       Increase efficiency
g.      Speedy and easy access of information.
h.      Improve the quality of library services
i.        Enhance the knowledge and experience
j.        Integration within the organizations
k.      Improve the status of the library
l.        Improve the communication facilities
m.    More stable
n.      Helps to attract the users
o.      Remove access to users
p.      Round the clock access too users
q.      Access unlimited information from different sources
r.        More up to date information
s.       Information flexibility to the users
t.        Reforming and combining of data  from different sources
u.      Reduce the workload of the library staff

Conclusion:
            It is done great expectations from Information Communication Technology about future Challenges and Prospect. Modern technology has radically altered the nature of our society and style of working of the people.  Library and information services can’t lag behind and also require changing to the tune of the progress of the civilization, keeping in view the requirement of time, technological developments and global change. 
            Information Technology helps to progress the rank of the library and it condense the work stack of the library professions.  Information Technology has broken the worldwide boundaries, new apparatus and methods help to provide better services to our clients.
ICT is not only a technology but it manages with the library objectives with the adoption of ICT, libraries can face the new and modern information techniques. ICT has greatly affected the information environment.  Librarian must have the knowledge, skills and tools in handling digital information and that will be the key success factor in enabling the library to perform its role as an information support system for society.          
Information Communication Technology has functionally affected the operations of library and information services and this is also great impact on the education and training of the users and library teachers on various levels. The paper presents the some of the positive challenges and advantage of ICT for libraries, library services and development in very effectiveness.
ICT has provided new media and conservation while offering efficiency and ease of use. It has helped to remove barriers of communication, distance and time. The Prospect and Challenges in technology are very appreciated in digital era.

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