What can we make out of ICT in Library and Information Science courses?

WHAT WE CAN MAKE OUT OF ICT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE COURSES.




WRIITEN BY; UDEM OBIORA KINGSLEY


REG. NO; 2009636005P



INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(ICT)

According to Ania (2004), information technology (IT) is an omnibus term that combines computer and telecommunication technology; hence it is sometimes called information and communication technology (ICT). Information and communication technology is concerned with the technology used in handling, acquiring, processing, storing and disseminating information.

Asnafi (2005) defined ICT as the technologies that help us record, stored, process, retrieve, transfer and receive information. Information technology (IT) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) are dependent on each other, IT may refer to the machine and ICT to its product.

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

Ikegbune (1997) noted that a Library which is gotten from Latin word “liber”(book) may be defined as a collection of written, printed or other graphic materials (including films, slides, phonograph records and tapes), housed, organized and interpreted to meet broad and varying needs of people for information, knowledge, recreation and aesthetics.

Library and Information Science is concerned with collection, processing, storage and dissemination of recorded information for the purpose of reading, study and consultation.

According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Online, Library and Information Science may be defined as an interdisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries, the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and political economy of information.


WHAT WE CAN MAKE OUT OF ICT IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE COURSES/BENEFIT OF ICT TO LIBRARY AND INFORMATION COURSES.

The use of computers and communications technologies in information handling and processing has arisen because of increased workload involved in coping with information explosion. In order to keep pace with handling the increasing number of information carries, computers are utilized to handle information processing with greater speed and accuracy than manual processing. Access to information processed by computer is instant; it can also be accessible over long distance regardless of where the information is processed. This is possible through telecommunication technology (Aina, 2004)

Librarians need special knowledge and skills including techniques of using software and hardware, selection and assessment of resources, use of information systems, ability to search networks and database, as well as problem solving and research skills and ability to teach users. Librarians should acquire these skills before entering the job market and it can only be achieved through the study of ICT as a Library and Information Science course.

New technology should make Librarians network specialists, information mediators and system designers and it can only be achieved through study of ICT as Library and Information Science course.

One of the major applications activities such as circulation, acquisition, serial control, cataloguing and classification. Most of the specific tasks in these activities are routine and repetitive; hence they are readily amendable to Automation. All these can easily be actualized with study of ICT as library and information Science course.

In conclusion, Information and communications technology (ICT) has become an important field for all information professionals especially the Librarians. This is as a result of its relevance and applications tasks in libraries and information centre. The importance of ICT in libraries can only be actualized through the study of ICT as a library and information science course.





Always tell me what you think you can or have made out of this course . Dr Chinwe







Reference


Ania, L.O. (2004). Library and Information Science text for Africa


Asnafi, A.R. (2005). What is e- learning and where is the place of virtual libraries in this

    Process. Faslname-ye ketabb 16(3); 133-148


Ikegbune, E. (1997). The use of the Library for College and University students. Nsukka :

   FIJAC Academic press.


Library Science (2009). In wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia online.

   http://en.m.wikipdia.org/wiki/library_science?