Original Research Article http://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijlsit.2020.

017

Role of information technology & the future of librarianship

V.N. Kale

Assistant Librarian, Dept. of Library science, Shrisant Shankar Maharaj College of Agriculture, Pimpalkhuta, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding Author: V.N. Kale

Email: [email protected]

Abstract
There is a growing concern by scholars in the field of library and Information science on the way technology is gradually taking over certain
jobs performed by librarians and Information professionals. This may be the reason why many of the scholars have submitted that the
discipline of librarianship may cease to exist in a couple of years if nothing is done to solve the problem. In the light of this, this article seeks
to identify ways in which technology has taken over certain aspects of the field of librarianship with the aim of proffering solutions and
identifying other means in which the 21st century librarian can make himself relevant especially with the current dearth of employment
opportunities. libraries, appear to be facing a very perilous predicament. Two of their major job responsibilities, developing subject
collections and providing face-to-face reference service, are in rapid decline. Budget cuts, publisher packages for books and a transition to
cost-per-use evaluations for journal subscriptions all clearly diminish the need for active collection development. Meanwhile, because of
changes in information gathering habits, users increasingly approach reference librarians as a last resort. In addition, there seems to be a
growing inclination among library administrators to question the importance of subject librarians in branch libraries. This is due to the well
known fact that users have come to rely completely on electronic databases, notably Google and Google Scholar, and electronic journals.

Keywords: Information technology, Libraries, librarians and librarianship.

Introduction However, Since the world generally operates on the principle

Librarians were seen as keepers and custodians of books. of double-sidedness, there is a growing concern that
This perception also affected the image of the library, this technology has taken over the activities of librarians. This
was because many people saw the library as a room with situation seems worrisome because, in the next century,
stacks of books where individuals particularly students who librarians may find themselves losing their grounds in the
wanted to read beyond the scope of what they were taught in current job market. In his opinion, Galeon (2017), citing
class found shelter. No wonder, the field was regarded as Stephen Hawking opined that intelligent machines are taking
library science and not library and Information science or over jobs. He further noted that it may only be a matter of
library and Information technology as we have it recently. time before humanity is forced to 2 leave the earth in search
The invention of computers by Charles Babbage and other of a new home. He puts the time frame for this as 30 years
technologies such as printing press by Johannes Gutenberg but with recent happenings it seems the time frame is less
gave a face lift to libraries, librarians and librarianship in than what was proposed.
general. As a result of this, many people from other
disciplines. In centuries gone by, librarians were seen as Methodology
keepers and custodians of books. This perception also This study is based on the review of primary and secondary
affected the image of the library, this was because many literature such as journals, internet articles, conference
people saw the library as a room with stacks of books where proceedings and seminar papers.
individuals particularly students who wanted to read beyond
the scope of what they were taught in class found shelter. NoConceptual Framework
wonder, the field was regarded as library science and not Technology
library and Information science or library and Information Technology is the application of techniques, systems,
technology as we have it recently. The invention of processes and skills to solve complex human challenges and
computers by Charles Babbage and other technologies such problems. Fernald (2014) defined the term as the “Ability to
as printing press by Johannes Gutenberg gave a face lift to convert society’s resources (labor and capital) into output
(goods and services that we value)". In his own view, Thiel
libraries, librarians and librarianship in general. As a result of
this, many people from other disciplines began to minor in (2014) defined the term as "any new and better way of doing
librarianship having seen the hidden potentials in the field.things". Arthur (2009), sketches out three out three
Libraries also in an attempt to respond to change and growth conceptions of technology which are: 1) “Technology as a
based on the fifth law of librarianship introduced the use ofmeans to fulfill a human purpose. As a means, a technology
computers and other technologies into their day-today may be a method or process or device… Or it may be
operations. Therefore, operations such as acquisition, complicated… Or it may be material… Or it may be
cataloguing and classification etc shifted from the manual nonmaterial. Whichever it is, it is always a means to carry out
method to the automated method. The introduction of a human purpose.” 2) “Technology as an assemblage of
technology also brought about the development of certain practices and components.” 3) Technology as the entire
collection of devices and engineering practices available to a
concepts such as e-resources, e-libraries, digitalization etc.
culture.” In the field of librarianship, any process or
IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology July-December, 2020;5(2):79-82 79
V.N. Kale Role of information technology & the future of librarianship

technique that makes library operations faster is known as 1. Software technology:- This has to do with the
information technology. Information technology can be development of computer programs that could aid library
defined therefore as any form of technology that speeds up operations. Softwares used in library operations include:
the rate at which information is created, edited, disseminated Microsoft packages, tinlib, Alice for Windows etc.
and stored for future usage. In other perspectives, the term Given that the main mission of libraries is to offer
could be defined as the application of computers and other equality of access to information for every citizen, then
devices such as emails, printers, faxes and scanners in the why not be a trendsetter in digital use and implement
acquisition, processing and storage of information. From a more emerging technologies? As Mogens Vestergaard,
scholarly perspective, information technology can be defined Manager of Library and Citizen Service at Roskilde
as recently it is stated by Tan et al. (2009) as application of Libraries in Denmark emphasizes in our interview here,
Information and Communication Technologies tools “it is the library’s obligation to be at the edge of different
including computer network, software and hardware required uses of culture and uses of technology”.
for internet connection. 2. Media usage and development:- This has to do with
managing information resources available in digital
Technology and Libraries formats such as CDs, projectors, microfiches etc.
The changes brought about by advances in technology with 3. Artificial intelligence:- This entails the development of
particular reference to information technology have been so machines to emulate human qualities such as learning,
extensive that it is difficult to assess their total effect, but is reasoning and teaching.
clear that libraries are in the state of fundamental 4. Microchips: these are technologies that contain silicons
transformation. The influx of information technologies in and other electronic components. They are usually used
library and information management has created divergent to protect and secure library materials from been stolen.
schools of thoughts. One school of thought aligns itself with 5. Workstations: these are specialized computers that help
the short run perspective, while the other school of thought to distribute large amounts of data from a central source
aligns itself with the long run perspective. The short run known as a server to other computers within the same
perspective believes that the application of information network.
technology in libraries has made library operations easier, 6. Emails and hypertext: e-mails (electronic mails) are
faster and more efficient. The short run perspective also messages sent over the Internet. They are usually used
believes that the application of information technology also for current awareness and selective dissemination of
eliminates drudgery and repetitive work. Although, the long information. Hypertext on the other hand is links which
run perspective believes all the assumptions of the short run serve as pathways to other sources of information.
perspective, however it differs in its own view because it
examines the human factor. A task performed by 5 Uses of Information Technologies in Libraries
individuals in the manual approach are now been carried out Information technologies perform a variety of functions.
by just an individual in the automated approach. These include the following: Cataloguing and classification:
the invention of information technology has made the process
Components of ICT in Libraries of organizing knowledge faster. The introduction of
The ICT facilities that are expected in academic library computer had made it easier for the formation of Union
include computer hardware facilities (computers, scanners, catalogues.
printers, UPS, and power point projectors), computer 1. Indexing and Abstracting services:- In the place of the
software resources (online databases, CD-ROMs, library manual system of capturing important keywords in a
application software, Internet connectivity and storage document, computer programs are now been used to
media), audio-visual media/equipment (satellite connection, perform this tasks. All that has to be done is to import the
radio, television, audio tapes, video tapes, DVD/VCD, digital document into the software and the essential keywords are
cameras and photocopiers) and communication media highlighted.
(telephone intercom and GSM). Adekunle, Omoba and Tella, 2. Database Management:- Database management
(2007) also categorised these facilities by medium into five softwares are been employed to manage user information.
groups as follows: computing facilities and services; Instead of the manual system of capturing the particulars
film/tape-based facilities microfiche reader, micro card of library users, databases are now been created to capture
reader, microprint reader, slide projector, reel to reel it.
recorder, tape recorder, video machine etc; reproduction 3. Current Awareness Service:- This service has to do with
facilities photocopying machine, duplicating machine etc; creating awareness about library products and services. It
telecommunication facilities telephone, GSM, telex, entails bringing to the notice of library patrons new
telegram, fax machine, satellite etc; broadcasting facilities materials available in the library. The invention of
radio, television, cable transmission (Adebowale, Okiki and information technology has made this system earlier
Yakubu, 2013). Adekunle and Olorunisola (2006). Although because library users no longer have o be present
information technology is a standalone concept, there are physically before they know materials available in the
other components associated and conjoined with it. Islam and library. But e-mails can now be sent by library staff to
Islam (2006) have identified some of these as follows:
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V.N. Kale Role of information technology & the future of librarianship

them. This makes them access library materials right from providing access to web-based Online Public Access
the comfort of their homes. Catalogue (OPAC) interfaces. The OPAC makes it easier for
users to access and use information resources. OPAC is the
Benefits of Information Technology in Library services computer form of library catalogue, to access materials in the
Information and communication technology is the library (Afolabi and Abidoye)
application of technologies consisting of hardware, software,
network and media for collection, storage processing Unemployment
transmission and presentation of information in vocal, This is one of the core challenges of information technology.
textual, pictorial and multimedia formats, (Igwe, 2011). ICT Because many libraries are shifting from the manual method
is a term used in the library to refer to application of to the automated method, many library staff are been laid off.
computers and other technologies to library practices such as Because responsibilities performed by 10 individuals are now
acquisition, storage, organization and dissemination of performed by just a single machine operated by an individual.
information. The world has become a global village and with This has led to an increase in the rate for unemployment
ICT, many library users now have access to vast sea of especially among young and agile librarians. However,
information, without necessarily investing much time or certain jobs are beginning to emerge as a result of the
energy. The process of generally and distributing information invention of information technologies. This is to say that
is now being facilitated through the use of ICT Without librarians especially those of the younger generation need not
mincing words, information technology has aided the growth entertain any fear as regards employment. A growing number
of libraries in many ways. Reiterating the importance of ICT of librarians are coming out of library school and can’t find
to library services, Mosuro (2000) has this to say: "Over the professional work, or full-time work. The promise of “there
years, advances in the area of IT have offered Library and will be a lot of retirements soon so jobs will open up” has
Information Centres more efficient ways of acquiring, been heard for a long time, and often, when that time comes,
organizing, storing and disseminating information. New full-time jobs become multiple part-time jobs or are
Information Technologies are becoming an integral eliminated completely. Likewise, many mid-career part-time
component of and have the potential of changing the status librarians, as well as people entering the profession from
quo of libraries and librarianship. Computers as well as other other fields, struggle to find work in an uncertain economy.
information technologies have come to play prominent roles As the unemployment and underemployment issue worsens,
in information management. It is unthinkable that any what can organizations like ALA, as well as library graduate
academic library can function effectively without the programs, do to tackle this issue? Overall, there are more
appropriate use of IT.” Vijayakumar and Vijayan (2011) have librarian candidates applying for coveted full-time
listed some of the benefits to include the Without mincing professional jobs than jobs actually available to those
words, information technology has aided the growth of candidates, particularly in areas with a library school, making
libraries in many ways. New Information Technologies are competition for jobs remarkably tough regardless of how
becoming an integral component of and have the potential of much experience or skills a candidate may possess.
changing the status of libraries and librarianship. Computers Additionally, with an MLIS, many librarians be seen as
as well as other information technologies have come to play overqualified for paraprofessional work, and hiring
prominent roles in information management. It is unthinkable committees may assume that librarians with an MLIS may
that any academic library can function effectively without the not stick around for long once a better job comes along. A
appropriate use of IT.” recent article in Public Libraries Online describes how part-
time jobs are the new norm for librarians. Therefore, those
Insufficient funds for maintenance ICT equipments candidates must do what they can to survive while obtaining
ICT is a generic term that refers to the technologies that are that perfect job, which may mean using library skills in a non-
used to collect, store, edit and communicate information in library setting, taking up internships and volunteer work, or
various format (Raji, 2018). The use of ICT improves access finding other ways to generate income until a paying library
to digital information, narrows down the digital divide and job comes along.
also improves standard of living. Adoption of ICT in libraries
is a way of improving on information services provided in Conclusion
libraries. This is an era, when people need to access timely From the foregoing, this article has been able to identify the
information with ease, and this can only be done through the nexus between information technology and its impacts on the
application of ICT to library services. It is also a way of field of librarianship. However, in order to ensure that the
contributing to sustainable development of the nation, since field of librarianship does not go into extinction, all hands
timely and effective provision of useful information can must be on deck. Apart from that, the following must be put
assist in building up a society ICT as an enabling tool, assist into place in order to bridge the identified gaps College
libraries in provision of information, which is very students trust information they get from libraries, and they
paramount to development of the various sectors in the trust the information they get from search engines. The
nation. Libraries are playing a very important role facilitating survey revealed that they trust them almost equally, which
access to global information and knowledge resources, using suggests that libraries have no monopoly on the provision of
ICT. Provision of web access to OPAC: Libraries are information. Most college students are very familiar with
IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology July-December, 2020;5(2):79-82 81
V.N. Kale Role of information technology & the future of librarianship

search In a world where the sources of information and the of All". In essence, they should have certain amounts of
tools of discovery continue to proliferate and increase in knowledge on all discipline of human endeavour.
relevance to online information consumers, the brand 4. Leveraging of information retrieval skills. Librarians must
differentiation of the library is still books. The library has not constantly update their information retrieval skills. The
been successful in leveraging its brand to incorporate skills of yesterday might not suffice for today's challenges.
growing investments in electronic resources and library Web- Since information management is one that gets complex
based services. Can the brand be expanded or updated to be day-by-day, librarians must update their skills and be able
more relevant, to be more than books? Libraries must work to sieve the “wheat “from the "shaft" and it will make
collectively to “rejuvenate” the brand. It is not simply about librarians knowledge creators rather than knowledge
educating students about the library and its physical and consumers.
electronic resources. Trying to educate consumers whose 5. This will help to increase the value of libraries, librarians
habits and lifestyles are changing and have changed seldom and librarianship altogether effective lobbying and
works. It doesn’t work for companies and it probably won’t advocacy is necessary in order to raise funds to maintain
work for libraries. Rejuvenating the “Library” brand depends information technologies.
on the abilities of the members of the broad library
community to redesign library services so that the rich Conflict of Interest
resources—print and digital—they steward on behalf of their None.
communities are available, accessible and used. Rejuvenating
the brand depends on reconstructing the experience of using Source of Funding
the library. None.
While the need for localised points of distribution for
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school. Their tentacles of knowledge must spread to other future of librarianship. IP Indian J Libr Sci Inf Techno
disciplines. Librarians should be "Jack of all trades, master 2020;5(2):79-82.

IP Indian Journal of Library Science and Information Technology July-December, 2020;5(2):79-82 82