ICT
Technology for Libraries: A Suggestive Way
Ramanik S. Lengure
(Librarian)
Renuka College, Nagpur
Webmail: ramanik@renukacollege.org
Abstract
The paper gives an overview of various tools and
techniques of Information Technology as well as those of Information and
Communication Technology like computers, ICT forms services, Internet etc. How the traditional forms of information
services have been augmented using computers, World Wide Web and information services
paving way to new forms of information services has also been elaborated upon.
It also discusses various suggestions by ICT for library.
Keywords:
Information Technology, Information and Communication Technologies, ICT, Digital
Technology
Introduction
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. Information Communication
Technology has functionally affected the operations of library and information
services
ICT
Tools/Components
It
is an interactive device which works on the instructions given depending on the
definitions provided in the library of the computer
It consists of
1.
Input
Devices like keyboard, Mouse, Trackball, etc.
2.
Output
Devices like CRT Monitor, TFT Monitor, Printer, Plotter, etc.
3.
Memory
Devices like Hard Disks, USB Data Drives, Magnetic Tapes, Optical memories,
etc.
The technological
changes are observed as follows:
In our day to
day practice we use Computers as ICT tool in Railway Reservation, Bank
operations, Class room Teaching, practical demonstration, surgical operations
etc.
Now a day’s people
prefer Laptops/Palmtops/Tablet PCs as they are very compact, light weight and
satisfy the requirement of the common user.
The different types of computers are-
We are desktop
computers for storing/retrieving data for personal use, business purpose etc.
LAPTOP- A computer
model of desktop and can be carried anywhere easily.
Mobile
and Tablet PCs-
Some of the advanced mobiles support Internet access, Wi-Fi, blue tooth Camera,
SMS and MMS systems.
ICT is a broad term that covers wide
range of technologies. It is the convergence of computers, communication and
microelectronic-based techniques. The technologies and devices like Radio,
Telephone, Telegraph, Fax, TV, Telephone, Mobile phone, Internet, WWW, Email,
LAN, ISDN,Videoconference and Satellite communication Techniques are major part
of the ICT. With the help of LAN, Library and Information centre users
community easily shares the information. Telephone and another device play
important role in library services like SDI, Inter library loan, reference
services, and online information retrieval. ISDN has increased the capacity for
data transmission which facilitate introduction of new services such as E-mail,
Fax etc. cheaper data storage media has increased the storage capacity of
libraries.
·
WWW
·
RADIO
·
TELEPHONE
·
TV
·
MOBILE
·
FAX
·
LAN
ICT’s Areas of
Application in Libraries:
§ User Record
§ Reports
§ Issue-Return
§ Articles Record
§ Portals
§ Planning &
Control
§ Costing &
Budget
§ Locating
Information
§ E-mail
§ OPAC
1.
ICT
APPLICATION
INTRODUCTION
During
the last fifty years, the world has witnessed important changes; in particular,
information and communication technology (ICT) has brought a revolution in
every sphere of life. Using ICT, libraries have not only observed remarkable
changes in their daily operations and services, but also identified a new and
active role for librarians. Automation or computerization is an important
application of ICT in libraries. It facilitates speedy library operations,
services, and access to and delivery of information.
The
current study is the first of its kind to examine the current status of ICT
applications in medical libraries in Pakistan. It evaluates the status of
automation and the availability of Internet, Higher Education Commission (HEC)
Digital Library resources, and websites in medical libraries in Lahore, which
is the capital of Punjab province and second largest city of Pakistan, with a
population of nine million people. As a historical, cultural, and educational
city, it is regarded as the heart of Pakistan. Medical libraries in Lahore were,
therefore, selected as a case to examine the prevailing status of ICT
applications.
2.
ICT
TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS IN LIBRARY
The
21st century has clearly shown that information provides unforeseen
opportunities that enable multifaceted growth and development. Nobody can deny that the deployment of
information technologies have profoundly altered not only the way we live and
work but also our reading fundamentally altering and redefining our outlook
about information and its modes of dissemination. It is increasingly felt that deploying the
right technologies can go a long way in creating. Nurturing human and social capital. Expanding knowledge has positive cascading
effect by improving productivity, competitiveness, wealth and prosperity apart
from improving the quality of services and their delivery systems.
The term is something is used in preference to Information
Technology, particularly in two communities, education and government. Although, in the common usage it is often
assumed that ICT is synonymous with IT; ICT in fact encompasses any medium to
record information (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. Thus
‘ICT’ makes more explicit that technologies such as broadcasting and wireless
mobile telecommunication are included.
ICT TOOLS
o
Computer
o
Internet
o
Digital
Camera
o
Webcam
o
Smart
Card
o
Scanner
o
E-Book
o
Printer
o
Electronic
Journals
o
WEB-OPAC
o
Animation
o
E-Mail
o
CDROM
o
DVD
o
RFID
Technologies
·
ICT
APPLICATION
Application
of Internet as an ICT Tool for Libraries
The
global network of networks called ‘Internet’ is an information superhighway
that allows that allows information to
flow to unmaginable distances at an incredible speed. Internet has made all the
information resources available through connectivity tools. These connectivity
tools described in brief are as follows:
·
Electronic
Mail (E-Mail)
E-mail
meant for exchange of electronic information, is the most popular feature of
the Net. It is cost effective and fastest mode of communication wherein on can
correspond electronically with anyone anywhere in the world. Message can be
sent or received in the form of texts graphics, images, photos and sounds.
There are various possible usage of e-mail like communication, exchange of
documents, entertainment, email discussion forum, collaboration and may more.
·
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
It
allows users to access and retrieve files at remote sites. This is both a
program and a method used to transfer files between computers on the Internet.
FTP sites may contain May type of files (binary or text). The files may contain
books, articles, software games, images, sounds, multimedia, course work,
databases or any other thing.
·
Listservs/Mailing Lists
As
well as sending e-mails to individuals it is possible to send them to groups
using mailing lists, which are also called discussion lists. There are
thousands of mail lists available on the Internet, and each is devoted to a
particular topic and aimed at a specific audience. Mail lists can be used in a
variety of ways. In general they provide ea forum for requests for factual
information; about new websites, products and publications; information about
job vacancies, etc. A mail server may be hosted by a public library to send
up-to-date information to the user via e-mail regarding new arrivals, news
release and so on.
·
Telnet
(Remote login)
Telnet
is a program that allows one to log into computers on the internet. Once you
are connected to another system, the same keyboard will be become the keyboard
of the remote computer and you can use their resources or download the
information on the other side. To utilize this service, a telnet client is to log
on to host computer on the Internet them provide the services of a terminal. It
users online data bases, library catalogues, chat services etc.
·
Newsgroups or Usenet.
Newsgroups
or Usenet are similar to discussion lists in that they provide an opportunity
to share with like-minded people, and libraries should introduce them to users.
·
It is a global electronic bulletin
board, in which millions of people exchange public information on every
conceivable topic. It is also called “Net News” It is consists of thousands of
news groups covering vast range of topics. The newsreader software allows you
to post an article to any group for others to read.
·
Wide Area Information System (WAIS)
Wide
Area Information Servers or WAIS is a client-server text searching system that
uses the ANSI Standard Z9.50 information Retrieval Service Definition and
protocol Specifications for Library Applications”. To search index databases on remote computers. It was
developed in the late 1980s as a project of Thinking Machines, Apple Computer,
Dow Jones, and KPMG Peat Marwick. WAIS allows the users to search text, sound,
or images form a single interface located anywhere on the network.
·
World Wide Web
The WWW us the most powerful navigation tool on the
Internet. It is based on a concept and technique called ‘hypertext’. The Web is a client or server system used to
access all kinds of information to anyone on the net provides access to
information in the form of text, graphics, pictures and even sound.
·
WWW is an important tool for
librarians, as it provides and extremely powerful method of organizing and
providing access to information. It presents a wide variety of information
resources to library users and all Internet users in efficiently and
effectively.
·
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
IRC
is a service where user can talk on different channels by typing to people
around the world. It a public talk facility which can be used by anyone on the
Internet at any time. Within IRC, there are many conversations on a particular
topic or idea going on at any time. To use a client program connects to an IRC
server, then enter IRC commands. Using IRC commands anyone can join a group of
people and whenever wants move from one group to another
·
Application
of ICT Libraries
Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) have transformed Library and Information
services worldwide. The Internet has provided worldwide access to information.
Technological innovation has dramatically increased the rate of conversion of
knowledge, information and data into electronic format. Developments in the software
arena has generated powerful knowledge management software which has
transformed the way knowledge is organized, stored, accessed and retrieved
·
Collection Development
Information
and communications technology has had a fundamental impact on library
collection development policies. Collection development can be defined as the
selection and acquisition of library material based on current and potential
user needs. It is concerned with managing the utilization, storage and
accessibility of a collection.
·
Collection of reading material plays a vital
role for the user of any library. Large numbers of documents are accessible on
net; few of them are available fee and rest against payment. Libraries can
access on-line the electronic journals via Internet. A number of electronic
books, including encyclopedias are available on the Net. Acquisition of
documents in e-form is becoming the order of the day as now-a-days there is a
remarkable shift from the concept of ownership to accessibility. Collections of
material through Internet save the space of the library. Postage stamp,
binding, transportation cost are not required. Multiple copies of documents are
not required, as any number of users can access them anytime from anywhere in
the world.
·
One of the benefits of ICT is enhanced
access to library services and resources. The academic library can expose its
users to a much larger collection than it can house physically because users
can access information remotely. With online access it is possible to accurately
measure utilization of e-resources and access speed is greatly enhanced. Other
advantages are that users can simultaneously access the same resource, and
there are no incidences of lost copies of mutilated issues.
·
Acquisition
With
the advent of Internet, the job of acquisition librarian has become much faster
and easier and has substantially reduced the paper work. The library is
integrating electronic and Internet based information sources in its
collection. The library has been keeping non-book materials like floppy disks,
CD-ROMs and multimedia reference books in the collection. With the help of web,
acquisition work has become very much simplified. Order placing, duplication
checking, price checking etc are done very effectively using ICT technique.
Online bookshops and publisher’s websites save the time of the librarians. For
the procurement of journals, order is placed in the prescribed format to the
publishers through Internet. Invoices
can be downloaded from the Websites that makes serve faster and avoids postal
delay. Through e-mail correspondence with book sellers and publishers become
very easy and speedy. E-mail also helps in sending the reminders to the users
and booksellers etc. Foreign publications can be acquired in a few days whereas
earlier they used to take several months to reach the libraries. It also helps
in the process of the serial control in the university library. It helps in
preparing union list of serials and helps in circulation via e-mail to the
branch libraries.
·
Technical
Processing
Reading
material can be classified and catalogued with the help of on-line
classification schemes and Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs). There are
many classification systems available on the Internet e.g. BUBL-users DDC,
Cyber Dewey, Engineering Electronics Library Classification, Internet public
Library and Gateways users Classification System etc. Internet sources like LC
and OC or the publishers’ catalogues are available on the Internet. Other
cataloguing systems are interact, CORC and MARC adds 856 fields etc.
Standardization and uniformity in classifying and cataloguing of the documents
can be achieved as these are in conformity with international standards such as
MARC format.
·
Circulation
With
the computerization of libraries, the world wide OPACs can be accessed online
to see the collection of their libraries. The users can see the particular book
by subject/author/title. Document can be researched are requested online using
Internet facility. All the work of circulation can be done through computer
except the delivery of the document physically.
·
Resource Sharing
Resource
sharing has become an important facility where Internet is being used heavily
due to high cost of documents. Under this programme all networked libraries make
their resources available on the Net to be used by other libraries. Union
catalogues can be accessed, added and downloaded. Access to databases over
networks e.g. Ohionet, WLN, OCLC and full text journals, ILL became very
economical
·
Consortia Collaboration
Library
consortia are a means to achieve more users for a lesser price and are finally
begging to become to become established in India. For the library is
more-for-less bargain strategy. Another initially libraries got involved in
consortia in order to reduce coasts particularly with regard to the acquisition
of e-resources. . Consortia development is thus an attempt to maximize limited
resources through co-operation and resource sharing. In the consortia scenario
the emphasis is on access to information rather than ownership . Consortia
collaboration provides more power when it comes to negotiating contracts. It
also provides a platform for libraries to co-operate in terms of services.
·
Nowadays
libraries also turn to consortia to provide advice and guidance in complex
decision-making. The input of consortia is also valuable in terms of evaluating
e-resources in terms of quality, different options e.g. whether to subscribe to
journals or pay article-by-article.
·
User Education
User
Education is required for all library and information services and facilities,
and far retrieving information precisely, exhaustively and expeditiously. In
user education, instruction has been given to readers to help them make best
use of a library. All the guides like know, your library policies, library
rules, instruction can be put on the Web, particularly using Internet
Solutions.
·
Electronic Resources
ICT
has fundamentally changed academic library collections. Forever gone is the era
when an academic library’s physical collection determined its stature. In the
modern networked technological era the emphasis has shifted form ownership of
physical resources to access to electronic resources that are globally
accessible. There are countless Web sites and no single listing of them all.
There is also the phenomenon of Web sites disappearing overnight that create
problems in terms of access. There are huge amounts of unedited information on
the Internet. There is also the phenomenon of Web sites disappearing overnight
that create problems in terms of access.
·
These
days a single search cans yield hundreds of thousands of items. The unfiltered
nature of Web resources has made evolution of these resources essential. One
often finds that unlike in traditional printed media, e-resources found on the
Web often lack important criteria such as author or date. Web pages because of
its non-linear textual nature has added new effects to the search process such
as sound, videos and access to thousands of items by clicking a mouse. These
new elements imply that new sets of skills are required on the part of the
researcher.
1 E-Books
·
E-Books
have numerous advantages. There are no printing, storage, warehousing and
shipping costs. Consequently e-books can be published at costs much lower than
conventional books. Additional advantages are online availability,
keyword-searching capability, cross-referencing adjustable fonts, electronic
bookmarks and imbedded audio. Updating e-book will be easier than re-editing
conventional books. From an academic library point of view benefits would
include cost savings in terms of shelving, binding, circulation, overdue
notices and management of fines. All needed would be a person to maintain the
collection and a person to manage user accounts.
·
Print
collection in academic libraries is very expensive to acquire and maintain.
E-books are also environmentally friendly in the sense that no tree pulping in
necessary to for its production. The flaws in current e-book technology will be
overcome. When that day dawns e- books being much cheaper to produce and
publish that printed books as well as economies of scale will tip the balance
in favour of e-books (Grant, 2002).
·
7.9 Open Access Journals
The
open access initiative is aimed at making scholarly research freely available
via the Internet. Open access journals are journals available on the Internet
for academics, researchers and the general public. The open access journal
philosophy received a tremendous stimulus with the birth of the Public Library
of Science (PLoS).
·
The
first open access journal to emerge was PLos Biology in the year 2003 which was
received with great enthusiasm. In the publishing arena the Biomed central
publishing house embarked on free access to peer-reviewed journals. Recently
the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) made open access journals
available covering different languages and subjects
Impact
of ICT on Library and Its Services
New
technology has provided opportunities for delivery of services by pooling and
sharing resources, print as well as electronic, by way of consortia. The ICT is
providing the library and information professionals (LIPs) with both
opportunities and challenges.
The emergence of
the internet and web as the dominant path way and repository of electronic
information resources has brought great brought great impact on library
services. In an academic environment, libraries act as facilitators to provide
right information to the right user at the right time. The advent of web enabled
information resources, such as e-journal, e-book and e-reference sources and
their access through networks has taken the library to the users. Thus,
significant amount of information access is now taking place beyond the four
walls of the library.
ICT
has revolutionized the field of library and information services. ICT has
developed making access to information at fingertips. Convergence of computer
and communication technologies and their subsequent application to Library and
Information Science activities from the acquisition, organization, storage,
retrieval to dissemination of information changed the philosophy of information
from unitary to universal access, dynamic and unending resource that affects
all disciplines and all walks of life. A large number of ICT enabled services
are available in the university/academic libraries.
Impact on Library Services
OPAC:
ICT has revolutionized the practice of cataloguing in the library. OPAC users
access the holdings of the library catalogue at their desktop across the
campus. It reduces the cost of maintaining a catalogue, eliminating paper rules
and centralization. Multiple search, Multi-user, Remote access, Fast updating,
Variety of output formats, data exchange and sharing, No separate efforts required
for creating catalogue, More information and Additional services are some of
the ICT enabled tasks through OPAC, Web OPAC user common web browser via
internet
User
Services: The possible user services through ICT are Renewal, Recall, Reserve
and Registration of Membership, e-reserve, Request for book lists, User guides
etc.
Information Services:
Formats, contents and delivery of
information products, New business model for use of information products,
procedural and infrastructural changes and cost implications in Libraries,
Emergence of Internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge,
transformation of the conventional information services such as press
clippings, contents pages, company information etc. Use of tools technologies
for storage, retrieval and dissemination of information, Shift form physical to
virtual services.
New Addition Alert Service:
List
of new additions in the library is compiled and E-mailed to user community
regularly. This service is the major impact of ICT in technical section.
Circulation:
The
technological devices such as computers, barcode scanners and its software in
circulation help in performing the routine operations easily and quickly. The
integrated facilities of the software help in this regard. Transaction process
of the collections in the library has become faster than before.
Reference:
In the reference section, queries are
answered through telephone. Reference services library staff uses Internet and
E-mail facility, common asynchronous tools, subject gateways, FAQs, Interactive
tools chat, virtual classroom, Virtual Reference Section.
Bibliographic Search:
ICT reflects Quality and range of
contents, Search range and speed: browse, limit search, full text search,
embedded links, specialized search engines, intelligent searching, output
formats, Transmission and repackaging, Customization and SDI.
Electronics Information Service is provided with
the application of ICT with offer of services like online search, Developing
Database and Document delivery to the user community:
Online Search:
The advantages of online
searching over manual include speed, accuracy, convenience, accessibility to
combine concepts, specific search, modification of search strategy etc. CD-ROMs
are another outcome of ICT. CD-ROM databases are increasingly used as an
important medium for storage and dissemination of information. Chemical
Abstract on CD version is one of the important databases. Internet services are
provided to its users for searching online.
Developing Local Databases:
Computerized databases provide easy
and user friendly access to the information resources. Library utilizes ICT for
creating and sharing databases of its holdings through CD-ROMs, VCDs and other
multimedia resources.
Document Delivery Service:
Data exchange between different
systems and media such as co axial cables, satellite communication, have
promoted the resource sharing among the libraries. Online, Hybrid, Offline and
Automated document delivery is possible due to ICT. Compilation of information
is automatic, cooperative according to end user demand. Current Awareness Service: became simpler and faster, Reusability
and repeatability increases, Contents and presentation Customized in various
formats: scalable, links etc.
Customer Relation and User Education:
Customer
Relation and User Education is now done through communication medium such as
Listserv, Chart rooms, communities, virtual tours, online feedback systems:
surveys, Bipolar to dynamic communication: Peer to peer communication and
Educational Technology
Suggestions:
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.
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.
Following
are some important suggestions for effective use and implementation and impact
of ICT on library and its services.
1.
There
should be enough no. of Fax Machine available in college library.
2.
There
should be enough no. of computers available in college library.
3.
There
should be enough no. of library software available in college library.
4.
There
should be enough no. of Digital Camera available in college library.
5.
There
should be enough no. of scanner available in library.
6.
There
should be enough no. of E-Journals available in library.
7.
There
should be enough no. of online journals. available in library
8.
There
should be enough no. of online journals available in library.
9.
There
should be enough no. of online books (CD/DVD) available in library.
10.
There
should be enough no. of OPAC available in library
11.
There
should be enough no. of RFID Library Management systems available in the
college library.
12.
There
should be enough no. of Video Conferencing Facilities available in college
library.
13.
There
should be enough no. of Printer available in library.
14.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Facility in available in library.
15.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Access Facilities available in library.
16.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Facilities available in library.
17.
There
should be enough no. of Internet related separate section for student,
researchers and staff available in the library.
18.
There
should be enough no. of Social Networking Facilities available in the college
libraries.
19.
There
should be enough no. of INFLIBNET Network facilities available in the college
libraries.
20.
There
should be enough no. of UPS Facility available in the college library.
21.
There
should be enough no. of CCTV Camera available in the college library.
22.
There
should be enough no. of Audio/Video Cassettes available in the college library.
23.
There
should be enough no. of Resources Sharing Facility available in the college
library.
24.
There
should be enough no. of CD ROM Searching Facility available in the college
library.
25.
There
should be enough no. of Online Networking Facilities available in the college
library.
26.
There
should be enough no. of Photocopy Facilities available in the college library.
27.
There
should be enough no. of News Clipping Scanning Facilities available in the
college library.
28.
There
should be enough no. of Online Reservation Facilities available in the college
library.
29.
There
should be enough no. of Database Searching Facility available in the college
library.
30.
There
should be enough no. of Audio-Visual Facilities available in the college
library.
31.
There
should be enough no. of E-Query Service Facilities available in the college
library.
32.
There
should be enough no. of Projector Facility available in the college library.
33.
There
should be enough no. of E-Library (online) Facilities available in the college
library.
34.
There
should be enough no. of Library Provides Easy Access and information.
35.
There
should be enough no. of Digital Learning Materials to Users available in the
college library.
36.
There
should be enough no. of libraries have Provided ICT Related Training.
Bibliography:
1.
Gulati,
A. (2004). Use of information and communication technology in libraries and
information centers : an Indian scenario.
2.
Jorge,
S.N. 2002. The Economics of ICT: challenges and practical strategies of ICT use
for women’s economic empowerment.
3. Kour,
Sharndip. User’s training in ICT Based services. Indian journal of informatin
library & society.
4.
Nawalakhe
Ujwala Anil / Hirwade Mangala Anil Seminar
Volume of UGC Sponsored One-Day National Seminar on “Impact of Information and
Communication Technology on Library and Its Services” 9th Feb. 2011
Organized By Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College, Bramhapuri Dist-Chandrapur.
“Title: The ICT Impact on Tasks and Services of Academic Libraries” –Pg. No.
22-24
5.
ICT
Based Library and Information Services: Akhatar Hussain-Ess Ess Publication,ed.
2013, New Delhi. Pg.No. 9
6.
ICT
Based Library and Information Services: Akhatar Hussain-Ess Ess Publication,ed.
2013, New Delhi. Pg. 10-20
7.
Wikipedia.
(2012). Information and communication technology. Retrieved 6 May,2012formhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information_and_communications-technology.
Web Reference:-
Free
online: ICT books at wiki books
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17318530/Impact-of-ICT-on-Indian-Academic- Libraries-by-BG- Shivakumari (Accessed 27
January 2011) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411261/
)
ICT
Technology for Libraries: A Suggestive Way
Ramanik S. Lengure
(Librarian)
Renuka College, Nagpur
Webmail: ramanik@renukacollege.org
Abstract
The paper gives an overview of various tools and
techniques of Information Technology as well as those of Information and
Communication Technology like computers, ICT forms services, Internet etc. How the traditional forms of information
services have been augmented using computers, World Wide Web and information services
paving way to new forms of information services has also been elaborated upon.
It also discusses various suggestions by ICT for library.
Keywords:
Information Technology, Information and Communication Technologies, ICT, Digital
Technology
Introduction
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. Information Communication
Technology has functionally affected the operations of library and information
services
ICT
Tools/Components
It
is an interactive device which works on the instructions given depending on the
definitions provided in the library of the computer
It consists of
1.
Input
Devices like keyboard, Mouse, Trackball, etc.
2.
Output
Devices like CRT Monitor, TFT Monitor, Printer, Plotter, etc.
3.
Memory
Devices like Hard Disks, USB Data Drives, Magnetic Tapes, Optical memories,
etc.
The technological
changes are observed as follows:
In our day to
day practice we use Computers as ICT tool in Railway Reservation, Bank
operations, Class room Teaching, practical demonstration, surgical operations
etc.
Now a day’s people
prefer Laptops/Palmtops/Tablet PCs as they are very compact, light weight and
satisfy the requirement of the common user.
The different types of computers are-
We are desktop
computers for storing/retrieving data for personal use, business purpose etc.
LAPTOP- A computer
model of desktop and can be carried anywhere easily.
Mobile
and Tablet PCs-
Some of the advanced mobiles support Internet access, Wi-Fi, blue tooth Camera,
SMS and MMS systems.
ICT is a broad term that covers wide
range of technologies. It is the convergence of computers, communication and
microelectronic-based techniques. The technologies and devices like Radio,
Telephone, Telegraph, Fax, TV, Telephone, Mobile phone, Internet, WWW, Email,
LAN, ISDN,Videoconference and Satellite communication Techniques are major part
of the ICT. With the help of LAN, Library and Information centre users
community easily shares the information. Telephone and another device play
important role in library services like SDI, Inter library loan, reference
services, and online information retrieval. ISDN has increased the capacity for
data transmission which facilitate introduction of new services such as E-mail,
Fax etc. cheaper data storage media has increased the storage capacity of
libraries.
·
WWW
·
RADIO
·
TELEPHONE
·
TV
·
MOBILE
·
FAX
·
LAN
ICT’s Areas of
Application in Libraries:
§ User Record
§ Reports
§ Issue-Return
§ Articles Record
§ Portals
§ Planning &
Control
§ Costing &
Budget
§ Locating
Information
§ E-mail
§ OPAC
1.
ICT
APPLICATION
INTRODUCTION
During
the last fifty years, the world has witnessed important changes; in particular,
information and communication technology (ICT) has brought a revolution in
every sphere of life. Using ICT, libraries have not only observed remarkable
changes in their daily operations and services, but also identified a new and
active role for librarians. Automation or computerization is an important
application of ICT in libraries. It facilitates speedy library operations,
services, and access to and delivery of information.
The
current study is the first of its kind to examine the current status of ICT
applications in medical libraries in Pakistan. It evaluates the status of
automation and the availability of Internet, Higher Education Commission (HEC)
Digital Library resources, and websites in medical libraries in Lahore, which
is the capital of Punjab province and second largest city of Pakistan, with a
population of nine million people. As a historical, cultural, and educational
city, it is regarded as the heart of Pakistan. Medical libraries in Lahore were,
therefore, selected as a case to examine the prevailing status of ICT
applications.
2.
ICT
TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS IN LIBRARY
The
21st century has clearly shown that information provides unforeseen
opportunities that enable multifaceted growth and development. Nobody can deny that the deployment of
information technologies have profoundly altered not only the way we live and
work but also our reading fundamentally altering and redefining our outlook
about information and its modes of dissemination. It is increasingly felt that deploying the
right technologies can go a long way in creating. Nurturing human and social capital. Expanding knowledge has positive cascading
effect by improving productivity, competitiveness, wealth and prosperity apart
from improving the quality of services and their delivery systems.
The term is something is used in preference to Information
Technology, particularly in two communities, education and government. Although, in the common usage it is often
assumed that ICT is synonymous with IT; ICT in fact encompasses any medium to
record information (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. Thus
‘ICT’ makes more explicit that technologies such as broadcasting and wireless
mobile telecommunication are included.
ICT TOOLS
o
Computer
o
Internet
o
Digital
Camera
o
Webcam
o
Smart
Card
o
Scanner
o
E-Book
o
Printer
o
Electronic
Journals
o
WEB-OPAC
o
Animation
o
E-Mail
o
CDROM
o
DVD
o
RFID
Technologies
·
ICT
APPLICATION
Application
of Internet as an ICT Tool for Libraries
The
global network of networks called ‘Internet’ is an information superhighway
that allows that allows information to
flow to unmaginable distances at an incredible speed. Internet has made all the
information resources available through connectivity tools. These connectivity
tools described in brief are as follows:
·
Electronic
Mail (E-Mail)
E-mail
meant for exchange of electronic information, is the most popular feature of
the Net. It is cost effective and fastest mode of communication wherein on can
correspond electronically with anyone anywhere in the world. Message can be
sent or received in the form of texts graphics, images, photos and sounds.
There are various possible usage of e-mail like communication, exchange of
documents, entertainment, email discussion forum, collaboration and may more.
·
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
It
allows users to access and retrieve files at remote sites. This is both a
program and a method used to transfer files between computers on the Internet.
FTP sites may contain May type of files (binary or text). The files may contain
books, articles, software games, images, sounds, multimedia, course work,
databases or any other thing.
·
Listservs/Mailing Lists
As
well as sending e-mails to individuals it is possible to send them to groups
using mailing lists, which are also called discussion lists. There are
thousands of mail lists available on the Internet, and each is devoted to a
particular topic and aimed at a specific audience. Mail lists can be used in a
variety of ways. In general they provide ea forum for requests for factual
information; about new websites, products and publications; information about
job vacancies, etc. A mail server may be hosted by a public library to send
up-to-date information to the user via e-mail regarding new arrivals, news
release and so on.
·
Telnet
(Remote login)
Telnet
is a program that allows one to log into computers on the internet. Once you
are connected to another system, the same keyboard will be become the keyboard
of the remote computer and you can use their resources or download the
information on the other side. To utilize this service, a telnet client is to log
on to host computer on the Internet them provide the services of a terminal. It
users online data bases, library catalogues, chat services etc.
·
Newsgroups or Usenet.
Newsgroups
or Usenet are similar to discussion lists in that they provide an opportunity
to share with like-minded people, and libraries should introduce them to users.
·
It is a global electronic bulletin
board, in which millions of people exchange public information on every
conceivable topic. It is also called “Net News” It is consists of thousands of
news groups covering vast range of topics. The newsreader software allows you
to post an article to any group for others to read.
·
Wide Area Information System (WAIS)
Wide
Area Information Servers or WAIS is a client-server text searching system that
uses the ANSI Standard Z9.50 information Retrieval Service Definition and
protocol Specifications for Library Applications”. To search index databases on remote computers. It was
developed in the late 1980s as a project of Thinking Machines, Apple Computer,
Dow Jones, and KPMG Peat Marwick. WAIS allows the users to search text, sound,
or images form a single interface located anywhere on the network.
·
World Wide Web
The WWW us the most powerful navigation tool on the
Internet. It is based on a concept and technique called ‘hypertext’. The Web is a client or server system used to
access all kinds of information to anyone on the net provides access to
information in the form of text, graphics, pictures and even sound.
·
WWW is an important tool for
librarians, as it provides and extremely powerful method of organizing and
providing access to information. It presents a wide variety of information
resources to library users and all Internet users in efficiently and
effectively.
·
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
IRC
is a service where user can talk on different channels by typing to people
around the world. It a public talk facility which can be used by anyone on the
Internet at any time. Within IRC, there are many conversations on a particular
topic or idea going on at any time. To use a client program connects to an IRC
server, then enter IRC commands. Using IRC commands anyone can join a group of
people and whenever wants move from one group to another
·
Application
of ICT Libraries
Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) have transformed Library and Information
services worldwide. The Internet has provided worldwide access to information.
Technological innovation has dramatically increased the rate of conversion of
knowledge, information and data into electronic format. Developments in the software
arena has generated powerful knowledge management software which has
transformed the way knowledge is organized, stored, accessed and retrieved
·
Collection Development
Information
and communications technology has had a fundamental impact on library
collection development policies. Collection development can be defined as the
selection and acquisition of library material based on current and potential
user needs. It is concerned with managing the utilization, storage and
accessibility of a collection.
·
Collection of reading material plays a vital
role for the user of any library. Large numbers of documents are accessible on
net; few of them are available fee and rest against payment. Libraries can
access on-line the electronic journals via Internet. A number of electronic
books, including encyclopedias are available on the Net. Acquisition of
documents in e-form is becoming the order of the day as now-a-days there is a
remarkable shift from the concept of ownership to accessibility. Collections of
material through Internet save the space of the library. Postage stamp,
binding, transportation cost are not required. Multiple copies of documents are
not required, as any number of users can access them anytime from anywhere in
the world.
·
One of the benefits of ICT is enhanced
access to library services and resources. The academic library can expose its
users to a much larger collection than it can house physically because users
can access information remotely. With online access it is possible to accurately
measure utilization of e-resources and access speed is greatly enhanced. Other
advantages are that users can simultaneously access the same resource, and
there are no incidences of lost copies of mutilated issues.
·
Acquisition
With
the advent of Internet, the job of acquisition librarian has become much faster
and easier and has substantially reduced the paper work. The library is
integrating electronic and Internet based information sources in its
collection. The library has been keeping non-book materials like floppy disks,
CD-ROMs and multimedia reference books in the collection. With the help of web,
acquisition work has become very much simplified. Order placing, duplication
checking, price checking etc are done very effectively using ICT technique.
Online bookshops and publisher’s websites save the time of the librarians. For
the procurement of journals, order is placed in the prescribed format to the
publishers through Internet. Invoices
can be downloaded from the Websites that makes serve faster and avoids postal
delay. Through e-mail correspondence with book sellers and publishers become
very easy and speedy. E-mail also helps in sending the reminders to the users
and booksellers etc. Foreign publications can be acquired in a few days whereas
earlier they used to take several months to reach the libraries. It also helps
in the process of the serial control in the university library. It helps in
preparing union list of serials and helps in circulation via e-mail to the
branch libraries.
·
Technical
Processing
Reading
material can be classified and catalogued with the help of on-line
classification schemes and Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs). There are
many classification systems available on the Internet e.g. BUBL-users DDC,
Cyber Dewey, Engineering Electronics Library Classification, Internet public
Library and Gateways users Classification System etc. Internet sources like LC
and OC or the publishers’ catalogues are available on the Internet. Other
cataloguing systems are interact, CORC and MARC adds 856 fields etc.
Standardization and uniformity in classifying and cataloguing of the documents
can be achieved as these are in conformity with international standards such as
MARC format.
·
Circulation
With
the computerization of libraries, the world wide OPACs can be accessed online
to see the collection of their libraries. The users can see the particular book
by subject/author/title. Document can be researched are requested online using
Internet facility. All the work of circulation can be done through computer
except the delivery of the document physically.
·
Resource Sharing
Resource
sharing has become an important facility where Internet is being used heavily
due to high cost of documents. Under this programme all networked libraries make
their resources available on the Net to be used by other libraries. Union
catalogues can be accessed, added and downloaded. Access to databases over
networks e.g. Ohionet, WLN, OCLC and full text journals, ILL became very
economical
·
Consortia Collaboration
Library
consortia are a means to achieve more users for a lesser price and are finally
begging to become to become established in India. For the library is
more-for-less bargain strategy. Another initially libraries got involved in
consortia in order to reduce coasts particularly with regard to the acquisition
of e-resources. . Consortia development is thus an attempt to maximize limited
resources through co-operation and resource sharing. In the consortia scenario
the emphasis is on access to information rather than ownership . Consortia
collaboration provides more power when it comes to negotiating contracts. It
also provides a platform for libraries to co-operate in terms of services.
·
Nowadays
libraries also turn to consortia to provide advice and guidance in complex
decision-making. The input of consortia is also valuable in terms of evaluating
e-resources in terms of quality, different options e.g. whether to subscribe to
journals or pay article-by-article.
·
User Education
User
Education is required for all library and information services and facilities,
and far retrieving information precisely, exhaustively and expeditiously. In
user education, instruction has been given to readers to help them make best
use of a library. All the guides like know, your library policies, library
rules, instruction can be put on the Web, particularly using Internet
Solutions.
·
Electronic Resources
ICT
has fundamentally changed academic library collections. Forever gone is the era
when an academic library’s physical collection determined its stature. In the
modern networked technological era the emphasis has shifted form ownership of
physical resources to access to electronic resources that are globally
accessible. There are countless Web sites and no single listing of them all.
There is also the phenomenon of Web sites disappearing overnight that create
problems in terms of access. There are huge amounts of unedited information on
the Internet. There is also the phenomenon of Web sites disappearing overnight
that create problems in terms of access.
·
These
days a single search cans yield hundreds of thousands of items. The unfiltered
nature of Web resources has made evolution of these resources essential. One
often finds that unlike in traditional printed media, e-resources found on the
Web often lack important criteria such as author or date. Web pages because of
its non-linear textual nature has added new effects to the search process such
as sound, videos and access to thousands of items by clicking a mouse. These
new elements imply that new sets of skills are required on the part of the
researcher.
1 E-Books
·
E-Books
have numerous advantages. There are no printing, storage, warehousing and
shipping costs. Consequently e-books can be published at costs much lower than
conventional books. Additional advantages are online availability,
keyword-searching capability, cross-referencing adjustable fonts, electronic
bookmarks and imbedded audio. Updating e-book will be easier than re-editing
conventional books. From an academic library point of view benefits would
include cost savings in terms of shelving, binding, circulation, overdue
notices and management of fines. All needed would be a person to maintain the
collection and a person to manage user accounts.
·
Print
collection in academic libraries is very expensive to acquire and maintain.
E-books are also environmentally friendly in the sense that no tree pulping in
necessary to for its production. The flaws in current e-book technology will be
overcome. When that day dawns e- books being much cheaper to produce and
publish that printed books as well as economies of scale will tip the balance
in favour of e-books (Grant, 2002).
·
7.9 Open Access Journals
The
open access initiative is aimed at making scholarly research freely available
via the Internet. Open access journals are journals available on the Internet
for academics, researchers and the general public. The open access journal
philosophy received a tremendous stimulus with the birth of the Public Library
of Science (PLoS).
·
The
first open access journal to emerge was PLos Biology in the year 2003 which was
received with great enthusiasm. In the publishing arena the Biomed central
publishing house embarked on free access to peer-reviewed journals. Recently
the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) made open access journals
available covering different languages and subjects
Impact
of ICT on Library and Its Services
New
technology has provided opportunities for delivery of services by pooling and
sharing resources, print as well as electronic, by way of consortia. The ICT is
providing the library and information professionals (LIPs) with both
opportunities and challenges.
The emergence of
the internet and web as the dominant path way and repository of electronic
information resources has brought great brought great impact on library
services. In an academic environment, libraries act as facilitators to provide
right information to the right user at the right time. The advent of web enabled
information resources, such as e-journal, e-book and e-reference sources and
their access through networks has taken the library to the users. Thus,
significant amount of information access is now taking place beyond the four
walls of the library.
ICT
has revolutionized the field of library and information services. ICT has
developed making access to information at fingertips. Convergence of computer
and communication technologies and their subsequent application to Library and
Information Science activities from the acquisition, organization, storage,
retrieval to dissemination of information changed the philosophy of information
from unitary to universal access, dynamic and unending resource that affects
all disciplines and all walks of life. A large number of ICT enabled services
are available in the university/academic libraries.
Impact on Library Services
OPAC:
ICT has revolutionized the practice of cataloguing in the library. OPAC users
access the holdings of the library catalogue at their desktop across the
campus. It reduces the cost of maintaining a catalogue, eliminating paper rules
and centralization. Multiple search, Multi-user, Remote access, Fast updating,
Variety of output formats, data exchange and sharing, No separate efforts required
for creating catalogue, More information and Additional services are some of
the ICT enabled tasks through OPAC, Web OPAC user common web browser via
internet
User
Services: The possible user services through ICT are Renewal, Recall, Reserve
and Registration of Membership, e-reserve, Request for book lists, User guides
etc.
Information Services:
Formats, contents and delivery of
information products, New business model for use of information products,
procedural and infrastructural changes and cost implications in Libraries,
Emergence of Internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge,
transformation of the conventional information services such as press
clippings, contents pages, company information etc. Use of tools technologies
for storage, retrieval and dissemination of information, Shift form physical to
virtual services.
New Addition Alert Service:
List
of new additions in the library is compiled and E-mailed to user community
regularly. This service is the major impact of ICT in technical section.
Circulation:
The
technological devices such as computers, barcode scanners and its software in
circulation help in performing the routine operations easily and quickly. The
integrated facilities of the software help in this regard. Transaction process
of the collections in the library has become faster than before.
Reference:
In the reference section, queries are
answered through telephone. Reference services library staff uses Internet and
E-mail facility, common asynchronous tools, subject gateways, FAQs, Interactive
tools chat, virtual classroom, Virtual Reference Section.
Bibliographic Search:
ICT reflects Quality and range of
contents, Search range and speed: browse, limit search, full text search,
embedded links, specialized search engines, intelligent searching, output
formats, Transmission and repackaging, Customization and SDI.
Electronics Information Service is provided with
the application of ICT with offer of services like online search, Developing
Database and Document delivery to the user community:
Online Search:
The advantages of online
searching over manual include speed, accuracy, convenience, accessibility to
combine concepts, specific search, modification of search strategy etc. CD-ROMs
are another outcome of ICT. CD-ROM databases are increasingly used as an
important medium for storage and dissemination of information. Chemical
Abstract on CD version is one of the important databases. Internet services are
provided to its users for searching online.
Developing Local Databases:
Computerized databases provide easy
and user friendly access to the information resources. Library utilizes ICT for
creating and sharing databases of its holdings through CD-ROMs, VCDs and other
multimedia resources.
Document Delivery Service:
Data exchange between different
systems and media such as co axial cables, satellite communication, have
promoted the resource sharing among the libraries. Online, Hybrid, Offline and
Automated document delivery is possible due to ICT. Compilation of information
is automatic, cooperative according to end user demand. Current Awareness Service: became simpler and faster, Reusability
and repeatability increases, Contents and presentation Customized in various
formats: scalable, links etc.
Customer Relation and User Education:
Customer
Relation and User Education is now done through communication medium such as
Listserv, Chart rooms, communities, virtual tours, online feedback systems:
surveys, Bipolar to dynamic communication: Peer to peer communication and
Educational Technology
Suggestions:
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.
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.
Following
are some important suggestions for effective use and implementation and impact
of ICT on library and its services.
1.
There
should be enough no. of Fax Machine available in college library.
2.
There
should be enough no. of computers available in college library.
3.
There
should be enough no. of library software available in college library.
4.
There
should be enough no. of Digital Camera available in college library.
5.
There
should be enough no. of scanner available in library.
6.
There
should be enough no. of E-Journals available in library.
7.
There
should be enough no. of online journals. available in library
8.
There
should be enough no. of online journals available in library.
9.
There
should be enough no. of online books (CD/DVD) available in library.
10.
There
should be enough no. of OPAC available in library
11.
There
should be enough no. of RFID Library Management systems available in the
college library.
12.
There
should be enough no. of Video Conferencing Facilities available in college
library.
13.
There
should be enough no. of Printer available in library.
14.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Facility in available in library.
15.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Access Facilities available in library.
16.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Facilities available in library.
17.
There
should be enough no. of Internet related separate section for student,
researchers and staff available in the library.
18.
There
should be enough no. of Social Networking Facilities available in the college
libraries.
19.
There
should be enough no. of INFLIBNET Network facilities available in the college
libraries.
20.
There
should be enough no. of UPS Facility available in the college library.
21.
There
should be enough no. of CCTV Camera available in the college library.
22.
There
should be enough no. of Audio/Video Cassettes available in the college library.
23.
There
should be enough no. of Resources Sharing Facility available in the college
library.
24.
There
should be enough no. of CD ROM Searching Facility available in the college
library.
25.
There
should be enough no. of Online Networking Facilities available in the college
library.
26.
There
should be enough no. of Photocopy Facilities available in the college library.
27.
There
should be enough no. of News Clipping Scanning Facilities available in the
college library.
28.
There
should be enough no. of Online Reservation Facilities available in the college
library.
29.
There
should be enough no. of Database Searching Facility available in the college
library.
30.
There
should be enough no. of Audio-Visual Facilities available in the college
library.
31.
There
should be enough no. of E-Query Service Facilities available in the college
library.
32.
There
should be enough no. of Projector Facility available in the college library.
33.
There
should be enough no. of E-Library (online) Facilities available in the college
library.
34.
There
should be enough no. of Library Provides Easy Access and information.
35.
There
should be enough no. of Digital Learning Materials to Users available in the
college library.
36.
There
should be enough no. of libraries have Provided ICT Related Training.
Bibliography:
1.
Gulati,
A. (2004). Use of information and communication technology in libraries and
information centers : an Indian scenario.
2.
Jorge,
S.N. 2002. The Economics of ICT: challenges and practical strategies of ICT use
for women’s economic empowerment.
3. Kour,
Sharndip. User’s training in ICT Based services. Indian journal of informatin
library & society.
4.
Nawalakhe
Ujwala Anil / Hirwade Mangala Anil Seminar
Volume of UGC Sponsored One-Day National Seminar on “Impact of Information and
Communication Technology on Library and Its Services” 9th Feb. 2011
Organized By Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College, Bramhapuri Dist-Chandrapur.
“Title: The ICT Impact on Tasks and Services of Academic Libraries” –Pg. No.
22-24
5.
ICT
Based Library and Information Services: Akhatar Hussain-Ess Ess Publication,ed.
2013, New Delhi. Pg.No. 9
6.
ICT
Based Library and Information Services: Akhatar Hussain-Ess Ess Publication,ed.
2013, New Delhi. Pg. 10-20
7.
Wikipedia.
(2012). Information and communication technology. Retrieved 6 May,2012formhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information_and_communications-technology.
Web Reference:-
Free
online: ICT books at wiki books
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17318530/Impact-of-ICT-on-Indian-Academic- Libraries-by-BG- Shivakumari (Accessed 27
January 2011) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411261/
)
ICT
Technology for Libraries: A Suggestive Way
Ramanik S. Lengure
(Librarian)
Renuka College, Nagpur
Webmail: ramanik@renukacollege.org
Abstract
The paper gives an overview of various tools and
techniques of Information Technology as well as those of Information and
Communication Technology like computers, ICT forms services, Internet etc. How the traditional forms of information
services have been augmented using computers, World Wide Web and information services
paving way to new forms of information services has also been elaborated upon.
It also discusses various suggestions by ICT for library.
Keywords:
Information Technology, Information and Communication Technologies, ICT, Digital
Technology
Introduction
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. Information Communication
Technology has functionally affected the operations of library and information
services
ICT
Tools/Components
It
is an interactive device which works on the instructions given depending on the
definitions provided in the library of the computer
It consists of
1.
Input
Devices like keyboard, Mouse, Trackball, etc.
2.
Output
Devices like CRT Monitor, TFT Monitor, Printer, Plotter, etc.
3.
Memory
Devices like Hard Disks, USB Data Drives, Magnetic Tapes, Optical memories,
etc.
The technological
changes are observed as follows:
In our day to
day practice we use Computers as ICT tool in Railway Reservation, Bank
operations, Class room Teaching, practical demonstration, surgical operations
etc.
Now a day’s people
prefer Laptops/Palmtops/Tablet PCs as they are very compact, light weight and
satisfy the requirement of the common user.
The different types of computers are-
We are desktop
computers for storing/retrieving data for personal use, business purpose etc.
LAPTOP- A computer
model of desktop and can be carried anywhere easily.
Mobile
and Tablet PCs-
Some of the advanced mobiles support Internet access, Wi-Fi, blue tooth Camera,
SMS and MMS systems.
ICT is a broad term that covers wide
range of technologies. It is the convergence of computers, communication and
microelectronic-based techniques. The technologies and devices like Radio,
Telephone, Telegraph, Fax, TV, Telephone, Mobile phone, Internet, WWW, Email,
LAN, ISDN,Videoconference and Satellite communication Techniques are major part
of the ICT. With the help of LAN, Library and Information centre users
community easily shares the information. Telephone and another device play
important role in library services like SDI, Inter library loan, reference
services, and online information retrieval. ISDN has increased the capacity for
data transmission which facilitate introduction of new services such as E-mail,
Fax etc. cheaper data storage media has increased the storage capacity of
libraries.
·
WWW
·
RADIO
·
TELEPHONE
·
TV
·
MOBILE
·
FAX
·
LAN
ICT’s Areas of
Application in Libraries:
§ User Record
§ Reports
§ Issue-Return
§ Articles Record
§ Portals
§ Planning &
Control
§ Costing &
Budget
§ Locating
Information
§ E-mail
§ OPAC
1.
ICT
APPLICATION
INTRODUCTION
During
the last fifty years, the world has witnessed important changes; in particular,
information and communication technology (ICT) has brought a revolution in
every sphere of life. Using ICT, libraries have not only observed remarkable
changes in their daily operations and services, but also identified a new and
active role for librarians. Automation or computerization is an important
application of ICT in libraries. It facilitates speedy library operations,
services, and access to and delivery of information.
The
current study is the first of its kind to examine the current status of ICT
applications in medical libraries in Pakistan. It evaluates the status of
automation and the availability of Internet, Higher Education Commission (HEC)
Digital Library resources, and websites in medical libraries in Lahore, which
is the capital of Punjab province and second largest city of Pakistan, with a
population of nine million people. As a historical, cultural, and educational
city, it is regarded as the heart of Pakistan. Medical libraries in Lahore were,
therefore, selected as a case to examine the prevailing status of ICT
applications.
2.
ICT
TOOLS AND APPLICATIONS IN LIBRARY
The
21st century has clearly shown that information provides unforeseen
opportunities that enable multifaceted growth and development. Nobody can deny that the deployment of
information technologies have profoundly altered not only the way we live and
work but also our reading fundamentally altering and redefining our outlook
about information and its modes of dissemination. It is increasingly felt that deploying the
right technologies can go a long way in creating. Nurturing human and social capital. Expanding knowledge has positive cascading
effect by improving productivity, competitiveness, wealth and prosperity apart
from improving the quality of services and their delivery systems.
The term is something is used in preference to Information
Technology, particularly in two communities, education and government. Although, in the common usage it is often
assumed that ICT is synonymous with IT; ICT in fact encompasses any medium to
record information (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. Thus
‘ICT’ makes more explicit that technologies such as broadcasting and wireless
mobile telecommunication are included.
ICT TOOLS
o
Computer
o
Internet
o
Digital
Camera
o
Webcam
o
Smart
Card
o
Scanner
o
E-Book
o
Printer
o
Electronic
Journals
o
WEB-OPAC
o
Animation
o
E-Mail
o
CDROM
o
DVD
o
RFID
Technologies
·
ICT
APPLICATION
Application
of Internet as an ICT Tool for Libraries
The
global network of networks called ‘Internet’ is an information superhighway
that allows that allows information to
flow to unmaginable distances at an incredible speed. Internet has made all the
information resources available through connectivity tools. These connectivity
tools described in brief are as follows:
·
Electronic
Mail (E-Mail)
E-mail
meant for exchange of electronic information, is the most popular feature of
the Net. It is cost effective and fastest mode of communication wherein on can
correspond electronically with anyone anywhere in the world. Message can be
sent or received in the form of texts graphics, images, photos and sounds.
There are various possible usage of e-mail like communication, exchange of
documents, entertainment, email discussion forum, collaboration and may more.
·
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
It
allows users to access and retrieve files at remote sites. This is both a
program and a method used to transfer files between computers on the Internet.
FTP sites may contain May type of files (binary or text). The files may contain
books, articles, software games, images, sounds, multimedia, course work,
databases or any other thing.
·
Listservs/Mailing Lists
As
well as sending e-mails to individuals it is possible to send them to groups
using mailing lists, which are also called discussion lists. There are
thousands of mail lists available on the Internet, and each is devoted to a
particular topic and aimed at a specific audience. Mail lists can be used in a
variety of ways. In general they provide ea forum for requests for factual
information; about new websites, products and publications; information about
job vacancies, etc. A mail server may be hosted by a public library to send
up-to-date information to the user via e-mail regarding new arrivals, news
release and so on.
·
Telnet
(Remote login)
Telnet
is a program that allows one to log into computers on the internet. Once you
are connected to another system, the same keyboard will be become the keyboard
of the remote computer and you can use their resources or download the
information on the other side. To utilize this service, a telnet client is to log
on to host computer on the Internet them provide the services of a terminal. It
users online data bases, library catalogues, chat services etc.
·
Newsgroups or Usenet.
Newsgroups
or Usenet are similar to discussion lists in that they provide an opportunity
to share with like-minded people, and libraries should introduce them to users.
·
It is a global electronic bulletin
board, in which millions of people exchange public information on every
conceivable topic. It is also called “Net News” It is consists of thousands of
news groups covering vast range of topics. The newsreader software allows you
to post an article to any group for others to read.
·
Wide Area Information System (WAIS)
Wide
Area Information Servers or WAIS is a client-server text searching system that
uses the ANSI Standard Z9.50 information Retrieval Service Definition and
protocol Specifications for Library Applications”. To search index databases on remote computers. It was
developed in the late 1980s as a project of Thinking Machines, Apple Computer,
Dow Jones, and KPMG Peat Marwick. WAIS allows the users to search text, sound,
or images form a single interface located anywhere on the network.
·
World Wide Web
The WWW us the most powerful navigation tool on the
Internet. It is based on a concept and technique called ‘hypertext’. The Web is a client or server system used to
access all kinds of information to anyone on the net provides access to
information in the form of text, graphics, pictures and even sound.
·
WWW is an important tool for
librarians, as it provides and extremely powerful method of organizing and
providing access to information. It presents a wide variety of information
resources to library users and all Internet users in efficiently and
effectively.
·
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
IRC
is a service where user can talk on different channels by typing to people
around the world. It a public talk facility which can be used by anyone on the
Internet at any time. Within IRC, there are many conversations on a particular
topic or idea going on at any time. To use a client program connects to an IRC
server, then enter IRC commands. Using IRC commands anyone can join a group of
people and whenever wants move from one group to another
·
Application
of ICT Libraries
Information
and Communications Technology (ICT) have transformed Library and Information
services worldwide. The Internet has provided worldwide access to information.
Technological innovation has dramatically increased the rate of conversion of
knowledge, information and data into electronic format. Developments in the software
arena has generated powerful knowledge management software which has
transformed the way knowledge is organized, stored, accessed and retrieved
·
Collection Development
Information
and communications technology has had a fundamental impact on library
collection development policies. Collection development can be defined as the
selection and acquisition of library material based on current and potential
user needs. It is concerned with managing the utilization, storage and
accessibility of a collection.
·
Collection of reading material plays a vital
role for the user of any library. Large numbers of documents are accessible on
net; few of them are available fee and rest against payment. Libraries can
access on-line the electronic journals via Internet. A number of electronic
books, including encyclopedias are available on the Net. Acquisition of
documents in e-form is becoming the order of the day as now-a-days there is a
remarkable shift from the concept of ownership to accessibility. Collections of
material through Internet save the space of the library. Postage stamp,
binding, transportation cost are not required. Multiple copies of documents are
not required, as any number of users can access them anytime from anywhere in
the world.
·
One of the benefits of ICT is enhanced
access to library services and resources. The academic library can expose its
users to a much larger collection than it can house physically because users
can access information remotely. With online access it is possible to accurately
measure utilization of e-resources and access speed is greatly enhanced. Other
advantages are that users can simultaneously access the same resource, and
there are no incidences of lost copies of mutilated issues.
·
Acquisition
With
the advent of Internet, the job of acquisition librarian has become much faster
and easier and has substantially reduced the paper work. The library is
integrating electronic and Internet based information sources in its
collection. The library has been keeping non-book materials like floppy disks,
CD-ROMs and multimedia reference books in the collection. With the help of web,
acquisition work has become very much simplified. Order placing, duplication
checking, price checking etc are done very effectively using ICT technique.
Online bookshops and publisher’s websites save the time of the librarians. For
the procurement of journals, order is placed in the prescribed format to the
publishers through Internet. Invoices
can be downloaded from the Websites that makes serve faster and avoids postal
delay. Through e-mail correspondence with book sellers and publishers become
very easy and speedy. E-mail also helps in sending the reminders to the users
and booksellers etc. Foreign publications can be acquired in a few days whereas
earlier they used to take several months to reach the libraries. It also helps
in the process of the serial control in the university library. It helps in
preparing union list of serials and helps in circulation via e-mail to the
branch libraries.
·
Technical
Processing
Reading
material can be classified and catalogued with the help of on-line
classification schemes and Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs). There are
many classification systems available on the Internet e.g. BUBL-users DDC,
Cyber Dewey, Engineering Electronics Library Classification, Internet public
Library and Gateways users Classification System etc. Internet sources like LC
and OC or the publishers’ catalogues are available on the Internet. Other
cataloguing systems are interact, CORC and MARC adds 856 fields etc.
Standardization and uniformity in classifying and cataloguing of the documents
can be achieved as these are in conformity with international standards such as
MARC format.
·
Circulation
With
the computerization of libraries, the world wide OPACs can be accessed online
to see the collection of their libraries. The users can see the particular book
by subject/author/title. Document can be researched are requested online using
Internet facility. All the work of circulation can be done through computer
except the delivery of the document physically.
·
Resource Sharing
Resource
sharing has become an important facility where Internet is being used heavily
due to high cost of documents. Under this programme all networked libraries make
their resources available on the Net to be used by other libraries. Union
catalogues can be accessed, added and downloaded. Access to databases over
networks e.g. Ohionet, WLN, OCLC and full text journals, ILL became very
economical
·
Consortia Collaboration
Library
consortia are a means to achieve more users for a lesser price and are finally
begging to become to become established in India. For the library is
more-for-less bargain strategy. Another initially libraries got involved in
consortia in order to reduce coasts particularly with regard to the acquisition
of e-resources. . Consortia development is thus an attempt to maximize limited
resources through co-operation and resource sharing. In the consortia scenario
the emphasis is on access to information rather than ownership . Consortia
collaboration provides more power when it comes to negotiating contracts. It
also provides a platform for libraries to co-operate in terms of services.
·
Nowadays
libraries also turn to consortia to provide advice and guidance in complex
decision-making. The input of consortia is also valuable in terms of evaluating
e-resources in terms of quality, different options e.g. whether to subscribe to
journals or pay article-by-article.
·
User Education
User
Education is required for all library and information services and facilities,
and far retrieving information precisely, exhaustively and expeditiously. In
user education, instruction has been given to readers to help them make best
use of a library. All the guides like know, your library policies, library
rules, instruction can be put on the Web, particularly using Internet
Solutions.
·
Electronic Resources
ICT
has fundamentally changed academic library collections. Forever gone is the era
when an academic library’s physical collection determined its stature. In the
modern networked technological era the emphasis has shifted form ownership of
physical resources to access to electronic resources that are globally
accessible. There are countless Web sites and no single listing of them all.
There is also the phenomenon of Web sites disappearing overnight that create
problems in terms of access. There are huge amounts of unedited information on
the Internet. There is also the phenomenon of Web sites disappearing overnight
that create problems in terms of access.
·
These
days a single search cans yield hundreds of thousands of items. The unfiltered
nature of Web resources has made evolution of these resources essential. One
often finds that unlike in traditional printed media, e-resources found on the
Web often lack important criteria such as author or date. Web pages because of
its non-linear textual nature has added new effects to the search process such
as sound, videos and access to thousands of items by clicking a mouse. These
new elements imply that new sets of skills are required on the part of the
researcher.
1 E-Books
·
E-Books
have numerous advantages. There are no printing, storage, warehousing and
shipping costs. Consequently e-books can be published at costs much lower than
conventional books. Additional advantages are online availability,
keyword-searching capability, cross-referencing adjustable fonts, electronic
bookmarks and imbedded audio. Updating e-book will be easier than re-editing
conventional books. From an academic library point of view benefits would
include cost savings in terms of shelving, binding, circulation, overdue
notices and management of fines. All needed would be a person to maintain the
collection and a person to manage user accounts.
·
Print
collection in academic libraries is very expensive to acquire and maintain.
E-books are also environmentally friendly in the sense that no tree pulping in
necessary to for its production. The flaws in current e-book technology will be
overcome. When that day dawns e- books being much cheaper to produce and
publish that printed books as well as economies of scale will tip the balance
in favour of e-books (Grant, 2002).
·
7.9 Open Access Journals
The
open access initiative is aimed at making scholarly research freely available
via the Internet. Open access journals are journals available on the Internet
for academics, researchers and the general public. The open access journal
philosophy received a tremendous stimulus with the birth of the Public Library
of Science (PLoS).
·
The
first open access journal to emerge was PLos Biology in the year 2003 which was
received with great enthusiasm. In the publishing arena the Biomed central
publishing house embarked on free access to peer-reviewed journals. Recently
the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) made open access journals
available covering different languages and subjects
Impact
of ICT on Library and Its Services
New
technology has provided opportunities for delivery of services by pooling and
sharing resources, print as well as electronic, by way of consortia. The ICT is
providing the library and information professionals (LIPs) with both
opportunities and challenges.
The emergence of
the internet and web as the dominant path way and repository of electronic
information resources has brought great brought great impact on library
services. In an academic environment, libraries act as facilitators to provide
right information to the right user at the right time. The advent of web enabled
information resources, such as e-journal, e-book and e-reference sources and
their access through networks has taken the library to the users. Thus,
significant amount of information access is now taking place beyond the four
walls of the library.
ICT
has revolutionized the field of library and information services. ICT has
developed making access to information at fingertips. Convergence of computer
and communication technologies and their subsequent application to Library and
Information Science activities from the acquisition, organization, storage,
retrieval to dissemination of information changed the philosophy of information
from unitary to universal access, dynamic and unending resource that affects
all disciplines and all walks of life. A large number of ICT enabled services
are available in the university/academic libraries.
Impact on Library Services
OPAC:
ICT has revolutionized the practice of cataloguing in the library. OPAC users
access the holdings of the library catalogue at their desktop across the
campus. It reduces the cost of maintaining a catalogue, eliminating paper rules
and centralization. Multiple search, Multi-user, Remote access, Fast updating,
Variety of output formats, data exchange and sharing, No separate efforts required
for creating catalogue, More information and Additional services are some of
the ICT enabled tasks through OPAC, Web OPAC user common web browser via
internet
User
Services: The possible user services through ICT are Renewal, Recall, Reserve
and Registration of Membership, e-reserve, Request for book lists, User guides
etc.
Information Services:
Formats, contents and delivery of
information products, New business model for use of information products,
procedural and infrastructural changes and cost implications in Libraries,
Emergence of Internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge,
transformation of the conventional information services such as press
clippings, contents pages, company information etc. Use of tools technologies
for storage, retrieval and dissemination of information, Shift form physical to
virtual services.
New Addition Alert Service:
List
of new additions in the library is compiled and E-mailed to user community
regularly. This service is the major impact of ICT in technical section.
Circulation:
The
technological devices such as computers, barcode scanners and its software in
circulation help in performing the routine operations easily and quickly. The
integrated facilities of the software help in this regard. Transaction process
of the collections in the library has become faster than before.
Reference:
In the reference section, queries are
answered through telephone. Reference services library staff uses Internet and
E-mail facility, common asynchronous tools, subject gateways, FAQs, Interactive
tools chat, virtual classroom, Virtual Reference Section.
Bibliographic Search:
ICT reflects Quality and range of
contents, Search range and speed: browse, limit search, full text search,
embedded links, specialized search engines, intelligent searching, output
formats, Transmission and repackaging, Customization and SDI.
Electronics Information Service is provided with
the application of ICT with offer of services like online search, Developing
Database and Document delivery to the user community:
Online Search:
The advantages of online
searching over manual include speed, accuracy, convenience, accessibility to
combine concepts, specific search, modification of search strategy etc. CD-ROMs
are another outcome of ICT. CD-ROM databases are increasingly used as an
important medium for storage and dissemination of information. Chemical
Abstract on CD version is one of the important databases. Internet services are
provided to its users for searching online.
Developing Local Databases:
Computerized databases provide easy
and user friendly access to the information resources. Library utilizes ICT for
creating and sharing databases of its holdings through CD-ROMs, VCDs and other
multimedia resources.
Document Delivery Service:
Data exchange between different
systems and media such as co axial cables, satellite communication, have
promoted the resource sharing among the libraries. Online, Hybrid, Offline and
Automated document delivery is possible due to ICT. Compilation of information
is automatic, cooperative according to end user demand. Current Awareness Service: became simpler and faster, Reusability
and repeatability increases, Contents and presentation Customized in various
formats: scalable, links etc.
Customer Relation and User Education:
Customer
Relation and User Education is now done through communication medium such as
Listserv, Chart rooms, communities, virtual tours, online feedback systems:
surveys, Bipolar to dynamic communication: Peer to peer communication and
Educational Technology
Suggestions:
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.
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.
Following
are some important suggestions for effective use and implementation and impact
of ICT on library and its services.
1.
There
should be enough no. of Fax Machine available in college library.
2.
There
should be enough no. of computers available in college library.
3.
There
should be enough no. of library software available in college library.
4.
There
should be enough no. of Digital Camera available in college library.
5.
There
should be enough no. of scanner available in library.
6.
There
should be enough no. of E-Journals available in library.
7.
There
should be enough no. of online journals. available in library
8.
There
should be enough no. of online journals available in library.
9.
There
should be enough no. of online books (CD/DVD) available in library.
10.
There
should be enough no. of OPAC available in library
11.
There
should be enough no. of RFID Library Management systems available in the
college library.
12.
There
should be enough no. of Video Conferencing Facilities available in college
library.
13.
There
should be enough no. of Printer available in library.
14.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Facility in available in library.
15.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Access Facilities available in library.
16.
There
should be enough no. of Internet Facilities available in library.
17.
There
should be enough no. of Internet related separate section for student,
researchers and staff available in the library.
18.
There
should be enough no. of Social Networking Facilities available in the college
libraries.
19.
There
should be enough no. of INFLIBNET Network facilities available in the college
libraries.
20.
There
should be enough no. of UPS Facility available in the college library.
21.
There
should be enough no. of CCTV Camera available in the college library.
22.
There
should be enough no. of Audio/Video Cassettes available in the college library.
23.
There
should be enough no. of Resources Sharing Facility available in the college
library.
24.
There
should be enough no. of CD ROM Searching Facility available in the college
library.
25.
There
should be enough no. of Online Networking Facilities available in the college
library.
26.
There
should be enough no. of Photocopy Facilities available in the college library.
27.
There
should be enough no. of News Clipping Scanning Facilities available in the
college library.
28.
There
should be enough no. of Online Reservation Facilities available in the college
library.
29.
There
should be enough no. of Database Searching Facility available in the college
library.
30.
There
should be enough no. of Audio-Visual Facilities available in the college
library.
31.
There
should be enough no. of E-Query Service Facilities available in the college
library.
32.
There
should be enough no. of Projector Facility available in the college library.
33.
There
should be enough no. of E-Library (online) Facilities available in the college
library.
34.
There
should be enough no. of Library Provides Easy Access and information.
35.
There
should be enough no. of Digital Learning Materials to Users available in the
college library.
36.
There
should be enough no. of libraries have Provided ICT Related Training.
Bibliography:
1.
Gulati,
A. (2004). Use of information and communication technology in libraries and
information centers : an Indian scenario.
2.
Jorge,
S.N. 2002. The Economics of ICT: challenges and practical strategies of ICT use
for women’s economic empowerment.
3. Kour,
Sharndip. User’s training in ICT Based services. Indian journal of informatin
library & society.
4.
Nawalakhe
Ujwala Anil / Hirwade Mangala Anil Seminar
Volume of UGC Sponsored One-Day National Seminar on “Impact of Information and
Communication Technology on Library and Its Services” 9th Feb. 2011
Organized By Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College, Bramhapuri Dist-Chandrapur.
“Title: The ICT Impact on Tasks and Services of Academic Libraries” –Pg. No.
22-24
5.
ICT
Based Library and Information Services: Akhatar Hussain-Ess Ess Publication,ed.
2013, New Delhi. Pg.No. 9
6.
ICT
Based Library and Information Services: Akhatar Hussain-Ess Ess Publication,ed.
2013, New Delhi. Pg. 10-20
7.
Wikipedia.
(2012). Information and communication technology. Retrieved 6 May,2012formhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/information_and_communications-technology.
Web Reference:-
Free
online: ICT books at wiki books
http://www.scribd.com/doc/17318530/Impact-of-ICT-on-Indian-Academic- Libraries-by-BG- Shivakumari (Accessed 27
January 2011) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3411261/
)
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