Anil M. Chaudhari
Librarian,
Smt. N.N.C. Arts, Commerce & Science College, Kusumba Dist. Dhule (M.S.)
& Research Scholar,
Dr.K.N.Modi University, Neway,
Rajasthan.
Abstract:
The information technology explosion and its applications in every aspect of
life have changed the entire scenario of the present world. The IT revolution and
information explosion has led to the emergence of electronic information era. Thus
digital libraries are becoming an important element in the era of information technology
and it seems that the digital library concept should be considered a dynamic and
essential component of an organization/institute. To keep pace in the rapidly changing
environment, infrastructure and service facilities should be made available according to
the needs so as to compete and survive in the era of competitiveness. Major changes in
the information environment have transformed the role of librarians into those of
information managers. An attempt has been made in the paper to give an outlines of
Digital Library and changing role of information professionals.
KEYWORDS :
Information technology ,digital libraries .
INTRODUCTION
In ancient days, the libraries were considered as storehouse of books and other reading material
whereas the librarians were considered merely as the custodian of these documents. With the passage of
time and rapid advancements in electronic information technology, the new means of communication have
altered the way in which information is handled, stored and exchanged across the world. These
advancements have transformed libraries from a mere static storehouse of documents to a dynamic
powerhouse of information, serving all professional and non professionals in utilizing useful and need
based collection of documents. The medium of information storage has changed from clay tablets, palm
leaves, papyrus to papers and now to electronic and optical media. This has brought a revolutionary change
in the way libraries adapt and function, shifting from print to electronic dissemination centre. All these
desired the library professionals to switch over from traditional library system to digital library concept.
'Digital Library'. Different persons have defined the term Digital Library differently as under:
According to E.A.Fox, The Digital Library may be defined as “New way of carrying out the functions of
libraries encompassing new types of information resources, new approaches to acquisition, new methods
of storage and preservation, new approaches to classification and cataloguing, intensive use of electronic
systems and networks and dramatic shifts in intellectual, organizational and electronic practices”.
Ray R Larson defined “Digital Library is a global virtual library- the library of thousands of
networked electronic libraries” Based on the view of different persons, a Digital Library may be referred to
as combination of library system with computer network technologies or computerized network system
where all the library information is stored in electronic format, which can be accessed and transmitted
through networks enabling retrieval of required information by a large number of users. Users may access
to desired information using a computer terminal at their pace of work.
Objectives ?The primary objectives of Digital Library include: ?To collect, store, organize and access information in digital form. ?To meet the requirements of patrons by providing better services. ?To provide personalized and retrospective services in an efficient way. ?To have large digitized database accessible to multiple users at the same time. ?To save time of library staff by avoiding routine jobs. ?To provide a coherent view of all information in any format. ?To serve widely dispersed communities throughout the network.
To minimize massive storage and space problems of large libraries
Role of Information Professionals
Library plays an important role in supplementing class room teaching and it is the librarians who
disseminate the precise information contained in the documents to its users in an efficient manner. With the
advancements in electronic technology, it becomes very difficult for an individual to get the required
information without wasting their time. It's the information managers, who have to make the required
information available to the individual without wasting his/her time. The information professionals have to
keep pace with the latest developments that are taking place due to advancement of technology. It is not
possible that the existing information professional to go to library schools however, training can be
arranged for them to have a bird's eye view about the developments that are taking place. The changes
taking place in the corporate environment are challenging the librarians to reorient his/her skill to provide
information solutions, not just information or information sources. Information professionals have to take
into consideration the following aspects before collecting information for the end product, which they have
to ?offer: ?It must be according to needs of its users. ?It must be equipped with powerful, easy to use, intelligent search engines. ?It must have attractive user interface. ?It must be reasonably priced.
It must allow access from, and delivery to the users' workstation.
In the present scenario, the information professionals have to keep in mind the following points to ?keep pace with the modern trends, if they want to survive: ?Continuous updating ?Developing strong professional teams in their respective libraries. ?Arranging continuous education and training programs for users and staff. ?Accept the challenges being imposed due to advancement of technology.
Arrange lectures / training programs from time to time.
Information managers are only competent enough to provide efficient and
intelligent access to the world's information sources to its novice users. The knowledge and experience of
libraries can be helpful in directing users to get an easy access to relevant information on the digital library
network.
Conclusion
The digital library concept is growing at a fast pace. Emerging technology of digital libraries is an
offshoot of information revolution which can drastically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
management of physical and financial resources of libraries. The information managers/ librarians have to
equip themselves with the capabilities to link with global trends for the ultimate benefit of information
seekers. Arrangements for managing and supporting information technology will take different shapes
depending upon the size of its parent institution, the institution's existing computing and communication
resources and the capabilities of the library's management and staff. The professionals can join the
revolutionized technological race without sacrificing their conception of traditional libraries. The
information providers have to keep themselves abreast with the latest trends if they desire to survive in the
present world.
Refer?ences
Kent, A. Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. New York, Marcel Decker Inc, 54, 1994, ?143-154 ?DELOS Network of Excellence on Digital Libraries, <http://www.delos.info/>.
Hulser, R.P. Digital Library: Concept preservation in a Digital World. DESIDOC Bulletin Information ?Technology, 17(6), 1997, 7-14 ?Jeevan, v.k.j. Digital Libraries New Delhi, ess ess pub., 2003. ?Singh, Kamla.Changing Role of Digital Libraries, New Delhi, Vista pub., 2007
Devraj, p.k.s, Digital Libraries on the Internet, Indian Journal of information library and society, 15(3- ?4), 2002,113.
Mange, R. (2005). 'Digital Preservation: A Challenge to Libraries. Library Progress (International) , 25
(1), 43-48.
