CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The twentieth century was shaped by sweeping changes in communication technologies. The emergence and use of information technology is the century’s most significant development affecting scholarly communication. The application of computers to information processing has brought several products and services to the scenes. Consequently, the academic community has undergone tremendous changes during these years, assuming new dimensions influenced by technology-driven applications. Libraries have witnessed a great metamorphosis in recent years both in their collection development and in their service structures. Thus Libraries are using technology to improve the management of scholarly information to strengthen and speed access to scholarly information not held locally. Over the last several years a significant transformation has been noticed in collection development policies and practices. Print medium is increasingly giving way to the electronic form of materials (Sharma, 2009). Ani (2008) quoting Tsakonas and Papatheodorou (2006), states that “the transition from print to electronic medium apart from resulting in a growth of electronic information, has provided users with new tools and applications for information seeking and retrieval. Electronic resources are invaluable research tools that complement the print-based resources in a traditional library setting.
Commenting on the advantages of electronic resources, Dadzie (2007) writes that electronic resources are invaluable research tools that complement the print – based resources in a traditional library setting. Their advantages, according to her include: access to information that might be restricted to the user due to geographical location or finances, access to more current information, and provision of extensive links to additional resources related contents. This rapid emergence and development of electronic information technologies therefore makes it possible to envision radically different ways of organizing the collections and services the library has traditionally provided. While libraries approach a crisis point in financing collection development, these new technologies offer possible ways to mitigate costs and revolutionize ways to access information. Navjyoyi (2007) also finds that speedy publication and availability on the desktop are the key advantages that attract research scholars.
1.2 Statement of the problem
Libraries are nests, which thatch scholarship but libraries are not themselves automatically valuable to users. Users need to be motivated to see the real worth of a library. There are various resources available both in print and electronically the main purpose of these resources will be fulfilled only if the users are able to locate these information sources effectively. Hence, the true worth of the library will be made. Coming to this era of technological development the forms of resources has been distinctively transformed from printed books and journals to various electronic forms. Today’s library has a challenge to broaden its resources and develop its collection in print resources as well as electronic format. Student of these generation are more inclined to digital forms of information they like to get information in a fastest way.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The other objectives of the study were to:
- Analyze the dependency of lectures/students and research scholars on e-resources
- Determine the perceived impact of the electronic resources on their academic efficiency.
- Assess the benefits of e-resources over conventional sources of information.
- Study the purpose and frequency of using the electronic resources and services available in the library.
- Study the impact of electronic resources and services on the academic work of teachers and research scholars.
1.4 Research Questions
- What is the dependency of lectures/students and research scholars on e-resources?
- What is the perceived impact of the electronic resources on their academic efficiency?
- What are the benefits of e-resources over conventional sources of information?
- What are the purpose and frequency of using the electronic resources and services available in the library?
- What are the impact of electronic resources and services on the academic work of teachers and research scholars?
1.5 Significance of the study:
The significance of the study is to have an insight about the role of a library in student’s life. This study will help to get answer for the type of resources that the students prefer and feel comfortable using. And also try to find out the various aspects of users the things that motivate them or discourage them in coming to the library. It will also be a helpful indication on how important proper education about library is as it teaches information skill to the students for effective retrieval. It is also hoped that the study will be a guideline for the librarians, faculty and the authority to know about the users information requirement and give them concrete directions for future collection development.
1.6 Definition of Terms/Glossary:
Academic Library:- An academic library is a library in school, college, University and all other institute of higher learning. It is a library which is an integral part of an institution of higher education.13
CD-ROM:– Compact Disc Read Only Memory. A compact disc format that is used to hold text, graphics and hi-fi stereo sound. The disc is almost the same as the music CD, but uses different tracks for data. The music CD player cannot play CD ROM discs, but most CD-ROM players are able to play CD discs. a storage medium popular in modern computers. One CD-ROM can hold 600 MB of data14 …
Electronic Journal:– E-journals were defined to be publications available in electronic form only and having an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). According to their definition, an e-journal contains original work which is subject to a peer review process, and is published only on the Web at no cost.15
Electronic Library: The library deemed to be one in which the core processes of the library become basically electronic in nature. Which is likely to happen in through the widespread incorporation and use of computers and the various facilities that they are able to make available, such as online indexes, full- text searching an retrieval facilities, automated record keeping and computer based decision making. In addition, within an electronic library system there will be a conscious movement towards more widespread use of electronic media( both digital and analogue ) for the storage, retrieval and delivery of information. This willmean that libraries of this sort will be involved in an active and extensive computerization programme.16
Information:- Information is a property of data resulting from or produced by a process that produced data.
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES AND THEIR IMPACT ON ACADEMIC LIBRARY AS SCOIAL AND INTELECTUAL HEART OF CAMPUS
