ABSTRACT
Computing technology, communication technology, and mass storage technology are some of the areas of continuous development that reshape the way libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate, and disseminate information to users. ICT has impacted on every sphere of academic library activity especially in the form of the library collection development strategies, library building and consortia. ICT presents an opportunity to provide value-added information services and access to a wide variety of digital based information resources to their clients. Furthermore, academic libraries are also using modern ICTs to automate their core functions, implement efficient and effective library cooperation and resource sharing networks, implement management information systems, develop institutional repositories of digital local contents, and digital libraries: and initiate ICT based capacity building programmes for library users. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought unprecedented changes and transformation to academic library and information services, conventional LIS such as OPAC, user services, reference service, bibliographic services, current awareness services, document delivery, interlibrary loan, audio visual services, and customer relations can be provided more efficiently and effectively using ICT, as they offer convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster and most-up-to-date dissemination and end users involvement in the library and information services process. The impact of ICT characterized on information services by changes in format, content and method of production, and delivery of information products. Emergence of the Internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge, changed role of library and information science professionals from intermediary to facilitator, new tools for dissemination of information and shift from physical to virtual services environment and extinction of some conventional information services and emergence of new and innovational web based. Considering the enormous benefits that are experienced in the impact of ICT in Nigerian university libraries, the Nigerian academic libraries still experience some obstacles or hindrances in the effective and efficient use of the ICT resources in the library.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
With the invention of Information and Communication Technology, libraries now use various types of technologies to aid the services they render. Everyday new technological advances affect the way information is handled in libraries and information centers. The impacts of new technologies are felt by libraries in every aspect. Computing technology, communication technology and mass storage technology are some of the areas of continuous development that reshape the way that libraries access, retrieve, store, manipulate and disseminate information to users. The academic library has been from its inception an integral part of institutions of higher learning, rather than an appendix or adjunct.
Oyedun (2007) defines academic libraries as those libraries that are mainly found in tertiary institutions, they are established to support learning, teaching and research processes. Over the past twenty seven years, academic libraries have been affected by changes in information and communication technology. The rate of changes is still accelerating in this area. The introduction of various information technology (ICT) trends has lead to reorganization, change in work patterns, and demand for new skills, job retraining and reclassification positions. Technological advancement of the past twenty five years, such as the electronic database, online services, CD-ROMs and introduction of internet has radically transformed access to information. Rana (2009) opines that ICT holds the key to the success of modernizing information services. Applications of ICT are numerous but mainly it is used in converting the existing paper-print records in the entire process of storage, retrieval and dissemination.
ICT has impacted on every sphere of academic library activity especially in the form of the library collection development strategies, library building and consortia. ICT presents an opportunity to provide value-added information services and access to a wide variety of digital based information resources to their clients. Furthermore, academic libraries are also using modern ICTs to automate their core functions, implement efficient and effective library cooperation and resource sharing networks, implement management information systems, develop institutional repositories of digital local contents, and digital libraries: and initiate ICT based capacity building programmes for library users.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has brought unprecedented changes and transformation to academic library and information services, conventional LIS such as OPAC, users services, reference services, bibliographic services, current awareness services, Document delivery, interlibrary loan, Audiovisual services and customer relations can be provided more efficiently and effectively using ICT, as they offer convenient time, place, cost effectiveness, faster and most-up-to-date dissemination and end users involvement in the library and information services process. The impact of ICT characterized on information services by changes in format, contents and method of production and contents and method of production and delivery of information products. Emergence of internet as the largest repository of information and knowledge, changed role of library and information science professionals from intermediary to facilitator, new tools for dissemination of information and shift from physical to virtual services environment and extinction of some conventional information services and emergence of new and innovational web based.
1.1 AIMS OF THE STUDY
i. To determine the usefulness of ICT resources in academic libraries.
ii. To determine the efficiency and effectiveness of ICT in academic library.
iii. To determine the challenges associated with the application of ICT in Nigerian academic libraries.
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in libraries is holding a strong position in every ramification of library holdings and services. The introduction of ICT in librarianship necessitated retooling and acquisition of the skills required to operate in the global information society. The capacity of users to exploit the ICT depends on the level of literacy, education and mastery of the technologies convened. Menuo (2002) noted that the situation on ground requires retooling of information professionals as the potentials of the information age cannot be realized without expanding the scope of information and computer literacy. He reiterated that people should be sensitized to be able to use stand alone computers, use computer networks, primarily the internet, use basic applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and electronic mail and possibly more advanced ones such as presentations, production of web pages, construction of websites, use of digital multimedia equipment and programs. The use of this is for the use of information resources that can be found in the internet. ICT is the convergence between the computer and communication technologies, ICTs are technologies used to communicate and to create, manage and distribute information. Such technologies include computers, the internet, telephone, television, radio and audiovisual equipment. However, this definition has been expanded to include any device and application used to access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and communicate information and knowledge.
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Considering the enormous benefits that are experienced in the impact of ICT in Nigerian University Libraries, the Nigerian academic libraries still experience some obstacles or hindrances in the effective ad efficient use of the ICT resources in the library. Today, ICT acquisition and implementation is facing a lot of problems. This research work is being conducted to expose some of the inhibiting factors that are hindering the impact of ICT on Nigerian academic Libraries. Among the militating factors hindering the impact of ICT on Nigerian academic Libraries are a lot of capital investment to buy hardware’s, software’s and standby generators for the library. Lack of search skills, automation at infancy level, epileptic power supply, and technical know - how are some of the problems encountered by the academic libraries.
1.4 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The general purpose of this research work is to evaluate the impact of ICT on Nigerian academic libraries. This research work also highlights the advantages or merit associated with ICT on academic libraries in Nigeria.
1.5 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study aimed at examining the impact of ICT in libraries services in Nigeria with a case study of Ilaro polytechnic library system and also traces briefly the history of library in Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey method. The questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The data collected were analyzed with the use of tables and Chi – square. (x2)
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
i. This study is expected to provide a basis for comprehensive information on information and communication technology procurement and application in Nigeria University Library.
ii. The study will established the existing gaps in the adoption of information and communication technology in the operations of academic library in achieving their statutory functions.
iii. The output of this study will serve as a blueprint for libraries, information managers/information scientists, researchers, lecturers, students, and teachers to chart the right course of action for the use of information and communication technology in furthering education through policy formulation and implementation.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research work is on the impact of ICT on Nigerian University Libraries using Federal Polytechnic Ilaro library system as a case study with the history of John Harris library (Benin City) and Benson Idahosa university library (BIU).this research work shows the outcome of using ICT in library system.
1.8 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Q1. To what extent has information and communication technology been employed in Nigerian university libraries?
Q2. How efficient and effective is the use of ICT resources in Academic Libraries
Q3. Does the staff of the academic Libraries have the required knowledge and skills in using ICT resources?
1.9 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The following nun hypotheses were tested in the study.
Ho1: There is no significant difference in the availability of ICTs in collection management between university and special libraries in the region
Ho2: There is no significant difference in the application of ICTs in collection management between university and special libraries in the region
Ho3: There is no significant difference in the facilities used for collection management between university and special libraries in the region
1.10 DEFINITION OF TERMS
For the proper understanding of this research work, various terms were used as explained below:
ICT: this means Information and communication Technology
Networking: Networking is defined as the act of making contact and exchanging information with other people, groups and institutions to develop mutually beneficial relationships, or to access and share information between computers.
Computer: A computer is electronic devices which accept data as input process the data as instruction and give out the result or output known as information.
Library: A library is a collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both. A library's collection can include books, periodicals, Newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audio books, databases, and other formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several million items. In Latin and Greek, the idea of a bookcase is represented by Bibliotheca. The first libraries consisted of archives of the earliest form of writing the clay tablets in cuneiform script discovered in summer, some dating back to 2600 BC.
A library is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, a corporation, or a private individual. Public and institutional collections and services may be intended for use by people who choose not to or cannot afford to purchase an extensive collection themselves, who need material no individual can reasonably be expected to have, or who require professional assistance with their research. In addition to providing materials, libraries also provide the services of librarians who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting information needs. Libraries often provide quiet areas for studying, and they also often offer common areas to facilitate group study and collaboration. Libraries often provide public facilities for access to their electronic resources and the Internet. Modern libraries are increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources.
Software: Computer software, or simply software, is a part of a computer system that consists of data or computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from which the system is built. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all information processed by computer systems, programs and data. Computer software includes computer programs, libraries and related non-executable data, such as online documentation or digital media. Computer hardware and software require each other and neither can be realistically used on its own.
The processor carries out the instructions in the order they are provided, unless it is instructed to "jump" to a different instruction, or is interrupted (by now multi-core processors are dominant, where each core can run instructions in order; then, however, each application software runs only on one core by default, but some software has been made to run on man
DATA BASE: Database is an organized collection of data. It is a collection of schemas, tables, queries, reports, views, and other objects. Database designers typically organize the data to model aspects of reality in a way that supports processes requiring information, such as (for example) modeling the availability of rooms in hotels in a way that supports finding a hotel with vacancies.
A database-management system (DBMS) is a computer-software application that interacts with end-users, other applications, and the database itself to capture and analyze data. A general-purpose DBMS allows the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration of databases. Well-known DBMSs include
I. MySQL, VI. PostgreSQL,
II. MongoDB, VII. MariaDB,
III. Microsoft SQL Server, VIII. Oracle, Sybase,
IV. SAP HANA, IX. MemSQL,
V. SQLite X. IBM DB2.
A database is not generally portable across different DBMSs, but different DBMSs can interoperate by using standards such as SQL and ODBC or JDBC to allow a single application to work with more than one DBMS.
OPAC: An online public access catalog (often abbreviated as OPAC or simply library catalog) is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries. Users search a library catalog principally to locate books and other material available at a library. ... OPAC is the gateway to library's collection
WWW: The World Wide Web (abbreviated WWW or the Web) is an information space where documents and other web resources are identified by Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), interlinked by hypertext links, and can be accessed via the Internet. English scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1989.
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