MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION TO INFORMATION SERVICE IN SELECTED UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN THE NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background to the Study

The traditional library consists of information resources in printed form. Its task has been to collect, process, store and disseminate information for the purpose of reading, teaching and consultation. The information, largely in print form, has been the most widely accepted format for providing information and library services to satisfy the needs of library customers, (Lvhua 2011). Today this is being complemented by electronic or digital resources that meet the needs of researchers and information seekers. Thus, at a time of ever increasing demand for information, libraries must keep abreast of developments in information technology and advanced communication to enable them provide services that today‟s society both expects and needs. Dahl et al (2006) posited that libraries that cling to traditional service models in an era of new information technology, rising costs and flat budgets cannot thrive.

During the 1980s computer specialists succeeded in integrating the text, graphics, animation, audio and video information after converting them into digital media (homogeneous media) called multimedia for publicity purposes. Since then, multimedia technology applications are permeating the educational system as a tool for effective teaching, learning and research. With multimedia, the communication of information can be done in a more effective manner. Mayer (2005), Ramaiah (2008) and Oshinaike & Adekumisi(2012), identified a common feature of multimedia technology which they observed to be a combination of various digital media types such as text, images, audio and video resulting into an integrated multi-sensory interactive application or presentation to convey a message or information to an audience. Mitchell (2014) defined multimedia technology as a rapidly developing technology

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that permits customers to combine digital images, video, graphics, animation, and audio. Multimedia technology is also defined as the combination of various digital media types such as text, images, sound and video, into an integrated multi-sensory interactive application or presentation to convey a message or information to an audience. Bodnar and Fones (2009) defined Multimedia technology as the field concerned with the computer controlled integration of text, graphics, drawings, still and moving images(video), animation, audio and any other media where every type of information can be represented, stored and transmitted digitally. Multimedia technology also includes both hardware systems and software programs used to develop and run these systems. It also encompasses interactive computer based applications that allow people to communicate ideas and information with digital elements.

MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION TO INFORMATION SERVICE IN SELECTED UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN THE NORTHERN STATES OF NIGERIA