THE CONCEPT OF ICT AND THEIR SERVICES TO LIBRARY

OPERATIONS

The definition of ICT alludes to Information and Communication Technology in a

plain word. The word Information and Communication Technology is not new to
contemporary culture. It applies to the multiples technologies used for information
collection, coordination, transfer and distribution. The term means different things
to different scholars, as defined by Ebijuwa (2005) cited by Sunusi (2020), the ICT
is used as a tool for knowledge gathering, processing, storage, transmission and
dissemination. With advancement in ICT, electronic information services have
propelled the world into information age, such as electronic books, electronic
journals, CD-ROM libraries, OPAC, web databases and the internet. To work
efficiently and effectively, no agency or entity can still rely on conventional
printed information services. ICT is a major advancement for librarians and offer
tools to handle the explosion of information that contemporary society produces.
ICTs constitute a grouping of similar innovations identified by their practical
application in the field of access to information and connectivity, one of which is
the internet.

ICT stand for Information and Communication Technology, according to Garg and
Sing (2002). It is a methodology involving information retrieval, storing and
collaboration using computers and other electronic devices.

‘ICT is a scientific, technological and engineering discipline and management

techniques used in the handling, application and association of information with
social, economic and cultural issues’, according to UNESCO.

According to Encyclopaedia of computer science, Information and Communication

Technology (ICT) is an imprecise word commonly used in broad field of computer
and communication related practice technologies.

Nwachuku (2004) describe ICT as the ‘application of information acquisition,

organization, storage, retrieval and distribution of computers and other
technologies. In this sense, however, the use of electronic technologies such as
computers, telephones, the internet and satellite system, for storing, processing and
distribution of information in form of data, text and other images, is Information
and Communication Technology.
‘Information and Communication Technology was described by Pradhan (2004) as
a comprehensive definition and parallel concept of Information Technology (IT)
which denotes not to only single technology unit but also a range of technologies,
such as telecommunication equipment, data processing equipment,
semiconductors, consumer electronics etc. in world’s information gathering,
storage and distribution scene, the idea has brought a remarkable shift [1]. This
turn of event is a blessing in disguise for the librarianship profession’

Aina, Okunnu and Dapo-Asaju (2014) postulated that ICT is phrase used to
characterise the ability to access data by using internet services dependent on
telecommunication. ICT allows the opportunity, within a limited amount of time,
to generate, coordinate, manipulate and view information from distant location
around the world. ICT entails the introduction of a number of tools used to
facilitate connectivity and the distribution of information.

Bryson (1990) argued that Information Technology (IT) is meant for improved
information processing and sharing, more efficient collaboration and ultimately for
the good of IT consumers.

In a basic word, Information and Communication Technology may, therefore, be

defined as a basket of technologies that support data/information collection,
processing or dissemination/communication of data/information or both. Thus, ICT
covers technologies that include desktop or notebook computers, peripheral
application, networking facilities and internet connected-networks that are
designed to perform the tasks of information collection, organization, analysis,
storage, retrieval and dissemination.

ICT refers to the use and use of acquisition, storage, recovery, transfer of
knowledge and information in computers, telecommunication technologies and
microelectronics. ICT is an information science that manages computers in
particular, and is used to facilitate the communication of expertise in the
technological, economic and social realm.

COMPONENTS OF ICT

The advancement in computer and telecommunication technologies is becoming a

driving force in a modern-day society. Information and Communication
Technology is a generic term used to describe a group of technologies. These
technologies can be further grouped into three major components that include:

Computer Technology

The technologies that formed up the computer technology component include:

workstations, mainframe computers, super computers, mini computers, artificial
intelligence, microchip technology etc.

Communication Technology

The technologies that formed up communication technology include: audio

technology, audio visual technology, motion picture, fax (facsimile transmission)
etc

Reproduction Technology

That includes Reprographic, Micrographic and Printing Technologies.

CHARACTERISTICS AND TYPES OF ICT

According to Iwu (2003) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can

be broadly classified into the following types and attributes:

Sensing Technologies

These equipments gather data and transform them into form that can be understood
by the computers. These technologies include sensor, scanners, keyboard, mouse,
electronic pen, touch or digital board, barcode sensors or readers, voice recognition
system etc.

Communication Technologies

These are equipment that enable information to be transferred from the source to
user. It also tries to overcome natural barriers to information transfer like speed
and distance. Some of these include: facsimile machine (fax), telecommunication
system, telephone, electronic mail, teleconferencing, electronic bulletin board etc.
Display Technologies

These are output devises that form the interface between the sensing,
communication and analysing technologies and human user. They include
computer screen, printer, television etc.

Analysis Technologies

These are the methods that assist in data investigation or question, study and in-
depth inquiry for answers in testing procedures for basic to complex phenomenon.
A micro, nano, mainframe or super scamper could be a complete ensemble of
computer devices.

Storage Technologies

These technologies facilitate effective and efficient storage of information in form

that can be accessed. They include magnetic tape, disk, optical disk cassette etc.

AREAS OF ICT APPLICATION IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARY OPERATION

Globally, owing to the tremendous development of information and its

management through the introduction of high degree of ICT for computerization
and electronic information transition, human society is experiencing a sea shift.
Almost all facets of social activities have been influenced by the growth and the
integration of computer and communication technologies (ICT). The library is no
longer an exception . ICT is intended for improved knowledge processing and
collaboration, which is also the primary purpose of all libraries, particularly
academic library that have the primary objective of improving students, scholars,
staff members, administrators and host of others’ studying, teaching and research
activities. The use and use of ICT in the services of libraries is not a matter of
preference, but rather a matter of obligation that should not be ignored by any way,
in order to ensure sustainable growth and to meet the prime objectives of university
libraries.

Because of its use in library activities, the progress of ICT eases the librarian’s
work. In Adekoya (2018), Vijayakumar and Vijayan (2011) and Saleem, Shabana
and Batcha (2013) cited the ICT application in the operation of the library as
follows:
Library Management

This involves classification, cataloguing, indexing, development of databases and

indexing of databases. These are the library’s simple regular facilities that include
the application of ICT. The introduction of ICT helps library administration to be
directed towards achieving its goals.

Library Automation

Human interaction in all library facilities is minimised by library automation,

meaning that users can get requested information with optimum convenience and
at reduced cost. The key two fields where technology can be introduced in the
library are library databases and all library housekeeping activities.

Library Networking

This applies to the interconnectivity through the multiple unit/division of the

library operations. For any general pattern or design for knowledge sharing and
collaboration in order to boost performance, library networking implies that a
community of libraries and information centres are interconnected. The general
aim of interconnectivity is to increase the efficiency of library activities efficiently.

Audiovisual Technology

Photography, microfilm, microfiche, audio and tapes, scanning, optical disc

formed part of these technologies.

Technical Communication

Technical writing, editing, printing, DTP programs are included.

Digital Library

This relate to the assembly of digital computing, retrieval and communication

facilities together and the provision, on the basis of paper and other material means
of collecting, cataloguing, locating and disseminating records, of the information
and software needed to replicate the resources offered by traditional libraries. The
main facilities of traditional libraries should be completed with a full-fledge digital
library and the well-known benefit of digital access, search and connectivity
should also be included.
But to sum up the area mentioned above, we hereby posit the following as the area
of ICT application in library operations:

Reader Service Division (RSD)

Technologies like computers, scanners, printers, photocopying machine, RFID,

barcode scanner etc. can be applied in this section to ease the reading process of
both the library staff and the user.

Technical Service Division (TSD)

This section includes cataloguing and classification sections and other technical
activities of the library. Library Management Software like SOUL, Koha, Virtua
etc. can be used to ease the cataloguing and classification process.

Collection Development Division (CDD)

In this section, computers, internet connection, library consortia, library

management software etc. are the matter of requirement that can be applied for
collection development.
REFERENCES

1. Pradhan M. R. (2004), “Developing digital libraries: Technologies and

challenges”, Lib. Herald, Volume 42, Issue 2, pp. 100- 108
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libraries in Gujarat a study”, PhD thesis Retrieved from:
http://hdl.handle.net/10603/247168.
3. Ebijuwa A. A. (2015), “Information and communication technology in
university libraries”, Volume 1, Issue 2, pp. 25-30.
4. Khan Javed (2016), “Impact of information communication technology on
library and its services”, Internat. J. of Res. Granthaalayah, Volume 4, Issue
9, pp. 97-100.
5. Ola Adekoya Clement (2018), “Research skills, ICT application and
sustainable library development”, Lib. Philo. and Pract.
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9. Hussaini, Sunusi (2020), “Use of ICT for information dissemination among
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Association of Indian Law Libraries.