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Role Of Ict In The Of Reference Services To Library Users In Nigeria
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Information revolution started a number of years ago and the impact all over the world has been tremendous. Information revolution has brought about convergence of information and communication technologies (ICTS), which have remained at the nucleus of global social and economic transformation (Ajayi 2003). The information revolution and extra ordinary increase in the spread of knowledge has produced a new era-one of knowledge and information which affects directly economic, social, cultural and political activities of all regions of the world including Africa. Governments world wide have recognized the role that information and communication technologies (ICTS) could play in socio-economic development (Ogunsola 2005).
As information procurement and dissemination organizations libraries all over the world have found themselves right in the middle of the ICT driven Global village†and in other to play active roles in the village, public libraries have no other choice than to boost their effectiveness. Libraries are becoming more aware that in order to play cartelistic roles in fostering access to information as the basis for the socio-economic development of their countries, they need to exploit ICTs to improve the range and quality of service to their clientele (Ajibola and Tiamiyu, 2000).
Gilbert, (2000) defined information and communication technology as the acquisition, analysis manipulation storage and distribution of information and the design and provision of equipment and software. Oketunji (2004) stated that “Information and communication technology could be defined as an electronic means of capturing, processing, storing and communicating informationâ€. He went on to say that ICT is defined as a convergence between computing and communication technologies. Furthermore, he said that one early exam0le of ICT convergence is the crossing of the photocopy machine and telephone, leading to creation of fax machine. But the most spectacular achievement in this area is the convergence of computer and telephone that resulted to the upsurge of the internet.
Ajibero (2004) asserted that the role of ICT in the provision of references services to public library in Nigeria did not come over night. Libraries existed for many centuries without using ICTs. But as technology emerged in the world at large, public libraries embraced these tools as a means to avoid some of the menial tasks inherent in managing large collections. Online catalogues provide additional searching possibilities. Such system help in communicating with one another about which book are held in the libraries and use the computer to borrow various materials form any other library through various inter library loan systems. Public libraries can be transformed into a new information services unit, providing electronic cataloging, electronic online public access catalogued, electronic acquisition and serials controls, and electronic circulation functions and reference services. But it must be realized that most public libraries in Nigeria are yet to adopt modern ICT.
However, because of the imperativeness of integrating ICTs in public library functions, Nigeria public libraries must seize this opportunity. Although it seems impossible presently because of the problems and inadequate facilities playing he Nation and her public libraries. This research work is therefore based on the role of ICT in the provision of reference services to public library use in Nigeria.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
This is an information age, the down of a new era where information flows before use with promise of new ways of thinking, living and working through the use role of ICTs and other information technologies. Unfortunately, despite the undoubted benefit/potentials of ICTs in public libraries, Nigeria public libraries are still far from integrations and equipping he invaluable resources of ICT facilities in her reference services most public libraries in Nigeria have not embraced these evolutional technologies in their references services. They still resort to the manual services and process of storing and retrieving information which is faced with number of problem that have brought frustrations on the public libraries reference services to the users like difficulties in having access to information, time wastage in searching and information management etc.
Arising from the foregone, the study is therefore set out to access the role of ICT in the provision of references services to public libraries in Nigeria with a special focus on the Imo state library.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 2]
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]This research work is on the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in the provision of reference service in public library user in Nigeria. A case study of Imo state Library. The literature review is on the concept of ICTs types of ICT infrastructure applicable in public library, funding of ICTs in public libraries in Nigeria the importance of reference services in public libraries and factors affecting the role of ICT in public libraries in Nigeria. The questionnaire was used a ... Continue reading---
