THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON NIGERIAN PUBLIC ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY ON NIGERIAN PUBLIC ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

INTRODUCTION

Libraries now use various types of technologies to aid the services they provide, thanks to the invention of Information and Communication Technology. Every day, new technological advances have an impact on how information is handled in libraries and information centers. Libraries are feeling the effects of new technologies in every way. Computing technology, communication technology, and mass storage technology are examples of areas of ongoing development that are reshaping how libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate, and disseminate information to users. Since its inception, the academic library has been an integral part of institutions of higher learning, rather than an appendix or adjunct.

Academic libraries, according to Oyedun (2007), are those that are primarily found in tertiary institutions and are established to support learning, teaching, and research processes.

Academic libraries have been impacted by changes in information and communication technology over the last 27 years. The rate of change in this area is still accelerating. The introduction of various information and communication technology (ICT) trends has resulted in reorganization, changes in work patterns, and increased demand for new skills, job retraining, and reclassification positions. Over the last twenty-five years, technological advancements such as electronic databases, online services, CD-ROMs, and the introduction of the internet have radically altered access to information. According to Rana (2009), ICT holds the key to the success of modernizing information services. ICT has numerous applications, but it is most commonly used in converting existing paper-print records in the storage, retrieval, and dissemination processes.

ICT has had an impact on every aspect of life.

Academic library activity, particularly in the form of library collection development strategies, library building, and consortia. ICT allows them to provide their clients with value-added information services and access to a wide range of digital-based information resources. Furthermore, academic libraries use modern ICTs to automate core functions, implement efficient and effective library cooperation and resource sharing networks, implement management information systems, develop institutional repositories of digital local content, and digital libraries, and initiate ICT-based capacity building programs for library users.

ICT has brought unprecedented changes and transformation to academic library and information services, including OPAC, users services, reference services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, document delivery, interlibrary loan, and audiovisual services. ICT allows for more efficient and effective delivery of visual services and customer relations because it allows for more convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster and more up-to-date dissemination, and end user participation in the library and information services process. The impact of ICT on information services is characterized by changes in format, contents, and method of production and delivery of information products. The internet emerged as the largest repository of information and knowledge, changing the role of library and information science professionals from intermediary to facilitator, new tools for information dissemination, and a shift from physical to virtual services environments, resulting in the extinction of some traditional information services and the emergence of new and innovative web-based services.