THE RELEVANCE OF ICT IN THE MODERN LIBRARY SETTING

1.0 Introduction

Relevance of information and communication technology services (ICTs) in modern library : a case study of FUTO library, Owerri has been studies in this project

These applying of information and communication technology services have been used as the ultimate aim of the information service. It is also applied to the operation of libraries and information centers to ensure the information delivered is timely, accurate, precise and relevant.

These information and communication technology is used to describe system only recently in use and those destined for use in the foreseeable future. Information and communication technology services” itself has been defined as all the electronic infrastructure and facilities employed by libraries to improve and provide efficient services such as facilities in broad terms consist of hardware, software and communication links between the services outlets of the same library and similar outlets of different library to facilitate the sharing of common resources, for example library network.

According to Evarest C. Madu (2004); computers are link together to one another forming large network, the telephone system are being digitalized and their collective technology capabilities are now able to provide such services as on-line information, electronic mail, facsimile transmission.

Information and communication technology services have made the libraries to handle information in a variety of forms. Information conveyed by speech, textural materials, pictures or table of numerous can be deal in easy way. These evident about the new technologies that are available have affected the inherent affairs or operations of libraries considering the geometric growth rate of publication and other communication.

The fact is that people are becoming\\ more aware of the sue of academic orUniversity library, encourage a large volume of clerical work in the library.

The library that automates their operations invariably work more efficiently and save the time of their users better. More efforts should be made in the computerization of the polytechnic library. information and communication technology services like the digital computers perform the routine but essential tasks at rapid speech which is for greater than-would have been expected from a manual operation, this has to breaching effects on various department of ten academic library in terms of operating automatic location of materials, retrieval, cataloguing of material in the library.

1.1 Statement of the Problem

This indicate that modern library practices in many universities in Nigeria; it is not one factor that is responsible for the flaws un the polytechnic library but undoubtedly clear that information and communication technology services or computerization can be very influential in matters affecting the libraries.

In this regard, the information and communication technology services become unavoidable in every academic libraries dispensation because of its roles. The absences of computer or information and communication technology services in FUTO has been a source of concern for most people whose interests lie on library and document services, much ass they believe that the prevailing situation has been stalling progress.

From available records, universities and few polytechnic which have the computer (that is ICTs) are not lacking behind in their assigned library roles unlike those polytechnic who have not.

The researcher attempt to develop into this area of study should be seen as a move capable on unraveling the reason behind the continued absence of (ICTs) or computerization the universities mentioned the decision the study this phenomenon is therefore foresighted.

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1.2 Objective of the Study

These objectives are intended to be my little contribution to the improvement of library services and the way to acquired knowledge. They are as followed:

1. Do you make use of the library?
2. To determine the type of ICTs equipment
3. To find out whether there is a feasible (ICT) in modern library
4. To determine whether ICTs is an investment or a white elephant project.
5. To find out the types of ICTs equipment use in the modern library as the best.
6. To find out the cost ICTs benefit effectiveness
7. To determine the activities in the library that constitutes information and communication technology.
8. To find out the problem encountered in using ICTs in academic libraries

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1.4 Research Questions

These questions have been dressed in consideration of application of information and communication technology (ICT) as a solution for accommodating library needs and requirement. They are:

• Have you make use of the library?
• What are the roles of information and communication technology services in the library?
• What are the feasibility of ICTs ion the modern library?
• Is ICTs an investment or a white elephant project?
• Enumerate the type of ICTs computer consider best for library usage?
• What are the costs of ICTs benefits effectiveness?
• What are the activities in the library that constitute information and communication technology services?
• Enumerate the problem which we encountered in using ICTs in modern libraries?

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1.5 Scope of the Study

The scope covered the relevance of information and communication services in the management of Nigerian academic libraries” a case study of FUTO , Owerri. The areas we need to look into include:

1. The benefits of applying information and communication technology services in Nigerian modern libraries.
2. The benefit federal polytechnics are getting by applying ICTs in their library.
3. The problems inherent in the introduction of the system of ICTs.
4. How such problem can be overcome or solution for solving the problem.

Efforts will also made by maintaining the effectively, bearing in mind the lack of maintenance culture, which is the bane of many laudable project in the developing countries/nations.

The scope is limited to the use of micro electric based information and communication technologies that have influenced computing and telecommunication, the use of computers and telecommunication in the dissemination of information.

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1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is meant to keep modern libraries abreast of the current trends in the use of information and communication technology for easy and accessible means of information retrieval and dissemination.

It will also be a great significant to staff, student and clientele of academic libraries. It will support plan for library development and input to improving services.

This study will also serve as literature/reference materials for research in the future.

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1.5 Historical Background of FUTO Library

The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) was founded in October 1980, while the library started functioning in 1981. Before then, the library was initially silted at Lake Nwaebere campus while the permanent campus was under construction in Ihiagwa. Preparation work for the library began in June 1981 with J.C Anafulu as the pioneer librarian. A classroom block was selected and converted into a makeshift library. It was filled with shelves for the ten thousand (10,000) volumes of library materials.

Other members of the library professional staff joined in October to prepare for the opening of the library on the November 1981. At the time of opening of the library, approximately 2,500 volumes were on shelves.

The importance of journals to science and technology oriented university community was recognized at an early stage and a list of about 600 titles were ordered for. in the month of May, 1982 The reserved collection was introduced making the total volume of books held by the library reached size thousand.

After two years of operating in classroom blocks, the university library in the first week of September, 1983 moved to a permanent building. The building which was originally designed as a library for the Federal Government Girls College, Owerri was modified to meet the requirement of a growing university library.

On the 17th of May 1993, the library moved along with the University to permanent site at Ihiagwa on arrival, the pilot planet house of the school of science was immediately converted to a library. In no time, it was realized that the building was too small to accommodate the ever- increasing stock, staff and library users. As such, the library moved partly to the library phase iv in 1995, thereby making available two library building for use.

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1.8 The Definition of Terms / Summary

Application:

This refer to as a programme that enable the computer to do specific job in different field of human endeavours (Engr. Timo Duru, 2005)

Information:

This means a human being assigns to data by means of the convention applied to that data. (Drubbel, 2003).

Communication:

Is a means of the flows of information from one place of the sources to another (Drubble, 2003).

Technology:

This is the application of science to practical human ends particularly to increase productivity and available of leisure and to improve to quality of life (Evarest .C Madu, 2004).

Services:

This refers to as a means of rendering a help or information idea to a person or some thing (Evarest C. Madu, 2002).

Management:

Is the specific organ of the business enterprises and organ can be define only through their functions (Drucker, 1990).

Academic library:

These are the libraries in institution of higher learning such as universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, college of technology (Emmanuel A. Oduagwu, 2002).

Library:

Is a store or house of document knowledge where professionally selected and acquired knowledge, print and non print materials are processed, and orderly arranged to make for easy location, retrieval and use. (Isaac Nnadimele, 2008).