NATURE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES IN ACADENIC LIBRARIES

INTRODUCTION

       The advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) turned the world into a global village. The result being that the ways and means of packaging and delivering information changed. Information users desire a wave of service different from the traditional paper based service. This new wave of ICT has affected university libraries as an information provider in the university. The academic library struggles to maintain its credibility in the provision of the library materials for research, teaching and learning through the acceptance and use of information and communication technology (ICT) (Anunobi, 2005). According to Okore (2005), ICT has thus, by the convergence of IT and Telecom, immensely improved services in industries, administration, management, education and other services. For libraries worldwide, ICT has changed the scope, pace, range as well as the procedure of information service delivery, storage and retrieval. It enables information to be stored, retrieved, communicated and broadcast electronically in enormous quantities and at phenomenal speed. It also allows information to be arranged, selected, marshaled and transferred. In the developed world, information communication technology is used to improve the quality of life. However, the developing countries are realizing the implication of the digital divide (the divide between those with access to new information technology and those without) and are now trying to adopt the new technologies as necessary for the proper functioning of such institutions such as banks, broadcasting houses, industries, schools, libraries, etc. Anyakoha (2005), pointed out that the ICT revolution is sweeping through the world. The gale has even caught up with the developing countries like Nigeria. Every individual, every facet of the society and every profession are striving to ride on the crest. The library and information service has also felt the bandwagon effect and are being enriched by the enormous dividends of this revolution. 

Definition of Concepts: Some concepts that need to be clearly defined in this work include Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and academic libraries.

ICT: Anyakoha (2005) defined Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as the electronic means of capturing, processing, storing, and disseminating information. ICT is often used interchangeably with Information Technology (IT) which is defined as the group of technologies that is revolutionizing the handling of information and embodies a convergence of interest between electronic, computing and communication. According to Achebe (2005), ICT can be defined as the type of technology that links the computer to the global telecommunications network to make it possible for users to acquire process, compare, store and disseminate oral, printed and pictorial information. In effect, ICT embraces all the technologies that enable the handing of information and facilitate different forms of communication between man and electronic systems, and among diverse electronic system such as radio, TV, cellular phones, computer networks and satellite systems. Anyaogu (2007) also defined ICT as a term created to refer to the amalgam of computing and telecommunications technologies, including of course the internet, which are the matrix with which information and digital media are created distributed and accessed. ICT is the electronic means of capturing, processing, storing and communicating information. It has four elements namely: Information technology, Information systems, environment of institutions, and environment of influencing factors. ICT encompasses an array of hardware, software, businesses, services and networks that enable access to online technology.

Academic Libraries: Omekwu and Ugwuanyi (2009) defined academic libraries as libraries established in universities (public and private), Colleges of Education, Polytechnics and Monotechnics. Their collection is tailored towards achievement of the institution’s goals of teaching, learning and research. They serve the students, lecturers, administrative members of the academic communities as well as others. Ode and Omokaro (2007) defined academic libraries as those libraries established, owned and funded by university, which they are part of. As an integral part of the institutions which they serve, they design their collections and services to meet the instructional programme of that particular institution. According to Edoika (2000), academic libraries exist in institutions of higher education such as universities, colleges of education, colleges of technology and polytechnics.

Origin of application of ICT in academic libraries in Enugu metropolis: According to Ude (2006), the current network of libraries in the state are expected to have linked up with the Internet. Libraries are also expected to upload their materials to the Internet- a network of computers, each storing myriads of digitized information that could be shared with others to the benefit of everyone. However, the general impression today is that ICT is a new comer in the education industry of present Enugu State. Most schools do not have computers, most teachers do not even know what the computer is and how it looks and what it can be used for. Of similar token most librarians, if they have seen a computer, have not used it to carry out library work. It is therefore advisable for the people in Education and Information industries in the state to work harder to bridge the gap. Uzoigwe (2004) pointed out that libraries of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, University of Port –Harcourt, Federal University of Technology, Akure, University of Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, are partially automated as not all the services are automated (i.e as at 2004). According to Anyakoha (2005), it has been reported that e-learning recently established at UNN will achieve the following objectives among others; an on-line common room where registered students can log into and have access to a wide range of privileges, on-line application for prospective students and registration by currently enrolled students, and of course easy access to the Internet. With the aid of ICT, a virtual library project has since been established in Enugu metropolis for university libraries.  This is expected to improve the teaching and learning and research activities in institutions of higher learning. The first phase of the project covers above 11 sites located within some federal universities of which UNN is a beneficiary.

ICT Resources: Some examples of ICT resources or facilities as pointed out by Anaeme (2004) include the following:

i)     The keyboard: This is an input system computer

ii)    The Mouse is a device used along with the keyboard for pointing, selecting points of operation and for drawing. Movements on the screen of the computer are achieved with the mouse and cursor keys.

iii)   The monitor or screen is an output device that displays the operation being performed in the computer system on the screen before printing out a hard copy or sending it out as e-mail or Internet message.              

iv)   The printer is connected to the computer through which hard copies of the processed data or information are printed out.

v)    Facsimile Transmission (FAX) – A fax machine looks like 

THE COMPLETE PROJECT IS CHAPTER 1-5 #3,000 ONLY

PAYMENT PROCEDURE;

BANK: FIRST BANK

ACCOUNT NAME: EGBE JOHN EDOGI

ACCOUNT NO: 3034851408

GTBANK

ACCOUNT NAME: EGBE JOHN EDOGI

ACCOUNT NO: 0122005571

PLEASE AFTER PAYMENT SEND THE TELLER NUMBER

AND YOUR NAME THE WAY IT APPEAR IN THE TELLER

TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING PHONE NUMBER:

08037940241

08183133884

YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR MATERIAL IN YOUR EMAIL

BOX WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER PAYMENT. THANKS

FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH US.