The Impact Of Information Communication Technology On Nigerian Public Academic Libraries

The Impact Of Information Communication Technology On Nigerian Public Academic Libraries

Chapiter 1

*Introduction*

Libraries today use a variety of technologies to help with the services they provide because to the development of information and communication technology. The management of information in libraries and information centers is impacted daily by new technological developments. Libraries are affected by new technologies on all levels. Technology advancements in the fields of computing, communication, and mass storage are some of the areas that are constantly changing how libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate, and distribute information to users. Since its inception, academic libraries have been an essential component of higher education institutions rather than an add-on or adjunct.

Academic libraries are those that are mostly located in higher institutions and were established to facilitate learning, teaching, and research processes, according to Oyedun (2007). Academic libraries have been impacted by advancements in information and communication technologies throughout the past 27 years. In this domain, the pace of change is still accelerating. There has been restructuring, a shift in work habits, and a requirement for new skills, job retraining, and reclassification jobs as a result of the introduction of various information technology (ICT) trends. Access to information has undergone a significant transformation as a result of recent technological advancements including electronic databases, online services, CD-ROMs, and the arrival of the internet. ICT, according to Rana (2009), is the secret to successfully modernizing information services. The usage of ICT is widespread, although it is primarily employed to digitize existing paper-print documents throughout the full process of storage, retrieval, and dissemination.

ICT has had an impact on all aspects of academic library work, but particularly on consortia, building, and collection development plans. ICT gives businesses the chance to offer their customers access to a wide range of digital information resources as well as information services with value added. Academic libraries are also utilizing contemporary ICTs to automate their fundamental operations, set up effective networks for library cooperation and resource sharing, implement management information systems, create digital libraries and institutional repositories for local digital content, and launch ICT-based capacity building initiatives for library users.

Conventional LIS such as OPAC, users services, reference services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, document delivery, interlibrary loan, audio visual services, and customer relations can be provided more efficiently and effectively using ICT because they offer convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster an unprecedented changes and transformation to academic libraries and information services. Changes in format, content, and production methods as well as changes in how information products are delivered characterize the impact of ICT on information services. the rise of the internet as the main source of information and knowledge, the transformation of librarians and information scientists from intermediaries to facilitators, the transition from a world of physical to virtual services, the abolition of some traditional information services, and the emergence of new and innovative web-based.