Research on Library Computerisation

Modern libraries have become more and more aware of the revolutionary impact of developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on their major activities. The application of ICT facilitates to provide pinpointed, expeditious and exhaustive information at the right time to the right user. It provides opportunities for libraries and information centres to widen the scope of their resources and services and to increase their significance within the organization they serve. The increasing availability of information in machine readable form allows many information needs to be satisfied with decreased involvement of libraries and librarians. Though ICT has potential for modernizing the library activities, there is a wide gal between what is told and what has been achieved. However, the application of information and communication technologies in different types of libraries in India has gained much momentum. Although the use ICT in libraries in the country at present is quite low, it is expected to go up in the coming years with continued reduction in the prices of the hardware and the software. The extent of use of ICT in libraries, which are already using it, will increase substantially. Libraries will use expert systems and artificial intelligence systems. Remote browsing of databases and tele-delivery of documents will increase. Packet-switched networks will be common. Use of CD-ROM and DVD-ROM will increase further. The world wide web is going to be more interactive and multidimensional, incorporating multimedia presentations. It is in this context that two research studies on library computerisation have been conducted. This book, which contains the core of the reports of these studies, has two parts: Part I: ‘Computerisation of University Libraries’ and Part – II: ‘Application of Information Communication Technology in Libraries’. This book will be of immense use to the practicing professional librarians for planning and executing similar studies and comparison of the findings. This will also be extremely helpful to the students, the researchers and the faculty in library and information science who would like to carry out research studies on library computerisation and allied subjects.