International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2014
ISSN 2319 - 4847
Impact of Digital Technology on Academic
Libraries of India: Problems and Prospects
Archana Saxena1 and Dr. T. N. Dubey2
1
Archana Saxena, 2Dr. T.N.Dubey
Research Scholar, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Research Supervisor, Shri Venkateshwara University, Gajraula, Uttar Pradesh, India
1
ABSTRACT
The paper discusses the impact of digital technology and role of libraries in the age of knowledge and information societies. It
also highlights the problems faced by the academic libraries in India in implementation of digital technology. As this paper is
based on secondary resources, the findings shows that notable number of digital resources were found in the academic libraries of
different states of India such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh though still the collections need to
be increased in numbers, in this regard this paper concludes with some specific suggestions to increase digital resources in
Academic Libraries of India.
Keywords : Digital Technology, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), E-resources.
1. INTRODUCTION
Digital Technologies are used for accessing, processing, gathering, manipulating and presenting or communicating
information.The application of modern Digital Technology in the academic libraries is providing the library professional
with new opportunities to improve their sources and services. Information is now published both electronically and by
print making it accessible to users according to their demands. It is important to access the Digital technology
applications in library and information centres in the context of changing user needs. The world is undergoing a
transition from paper economy to digital economy. The concept of library automation in India is not new, but the situation
is still not levelled with developed nations.
2. OBJECTIVE
The prime objective of the study is to explore the status of implementation of digital technology among academic libraries
of different states of India. More specifically the objectives of the study are: To have a look for the impact of digital technology on Academic Libraries
 Identify specific problems related to implementation of digital technology in academic libraries of India
 Give specific suggestions to overcome the problems related in this field
3. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A huge amount of literature is available on the use of digital technology in academic libraries of India. Here is a brief
overview of the most relevant studies to the subject.This section includes studies related to the application of Digital
technologies in Academic libraries of different states of India.
Dhanavandan, Esmail and Mani (2008) observe the awareness of Information Communication Tools among the library
professionals in Tamil Nadu. The study reveals that the use of communication tools by the female respondents is
comparatively higher than the male respondents and majority have view that ICT is the most helpful media for
professionals.
Salma Khan and J. Dominic (2009) analyze the patterns of internet use, the internet skills of professionals, the perceived
impact of the internet on their academic efficiency and problems faced by them in using the Internet among Engineering
colleges of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The study revels that the use of conventional document is decreasing and
dependency on internet is increasing. It expedite the research process and also improve the professional competency.
Sampath Kumar and Biradar (2010) observe the use of information communication technology in 31 college libraries in
in Karnataka, India by analyzing the ICT infrastructure, status of library automation, barriers to implementation of
library automation and librarians' attitudes towards the use of ICT. The survey carried out using questionnaire,
observation and informal interview with selected college librarians show that lack of budget, lack of manpower, lack of
skilled staff and lack of training are the main constraints for not automating library activities. Even though library
professionals have shown a positive attitude towards the use of ICT applications and library automation, majority
Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2014
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2014
ISSN 2319 - 4847
expressed the need for appropriate training to make use of ICT tools.
Mohamed Haneefa and Shukoor (2010) observe the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy among
the library professionals of Calicut University. The study includes only the library professionals in the central library and
departmental libraries of Calicut University. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The study reveals that
the Professional Assistants are more ICT proficient in ICT skills than the Junior Librarians and Assistant Librarians. The
use of ICT-based resources and services, library automation software, and general purpose application software is high
among the Junior professionals than the senior library staff. The use of digital library and institutional repository software
is very low among the library professionals. Majority of the professionals had confidence in routine ICT and Internet
tasks, and need training or orientation in library automation, digital library and institutional repository software.
Dhanavandan, Esmail and Nagarajan (2011) analyse the ICT infrastructure facilities with reference to self-financing
engineering college libraries in Tamil Nadu. The study traces out the status of electronic resources in terms of topology of
library network, electronic access points, electronic database, e-journals, and electronic resources in the libraries.The
study reveals that most of the engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu use the library application software in their libraries.
The establishment of ICT infrastructure facilities in the self financing college libraries in Tamil Nadu can improve the
efficiency of information support, the information retrieval and quality of education also.
The survey of literature has given an insight into the research carried out in the related fields of study. Further, it has
helped to know the tools and methods relevant for the study. Majority of the studies are conducted with the help of
questionnaire survey and personal interview. It is clear that technological change clearly affects library staff and there is a
need to develop guidelines and policies to train the professionals in providing frontline services in academic libraries of
India.
4. METHODOLOGY
An attempt has been made in this study to analyze the secondary data available in the field of study and observe the
problems and barriers in the implementation of digital technology in academic libraries of different states of India.
5. IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ON ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
Library activities and services have undergone rapid transformations from conventional methods after the introduction of
digital technologies as –
S. No.
Library activities and Services
Conventional Methods
Digital Technology
Word Processing, Text editing,
Character Recognition, Voice
Recognition
Electronic Publishing, Magnetic
Storage, , Videotext, Tele-text,
Computer Disk, ROM
1.
Generate/ originate Information
Writing/ Typing
2.
Preserve/ Store Information
Manuscript, Paper-Print Media
3.
Processing of Information
Classification, Cataloguing,
Indexing
Electronic Data Processing, Artificial
Intelligence/ Expert Systems
4.
Retrieval of Information
Catalogues, Indexes
Database Management System,
Information Retrieval off-line, online
5.
Disseminate/ Communicate
Information
Lists, Bibliographies, Abstracts,
Hardcopies
Electronic Mail, Electronic Document
Delivery, Computer Conferencing,
Telefacsimile, View Data
6.
Destroy/ Remove Information
Physical Weeding
Magnetic Erasers, Optical Erasers, reuse the medium
6. BARRIERS IN IMPLEMENTATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN ACADEMIC
LIBRARIES OF INDIA
The significant obstacles and the factors that are affecting the use of Digital technology in Academic libraries of India are
–
 Inadequate Finance
 Lack of effective planning for Digital technology activities
 Inadequate Management support
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
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Lack of IT trained staff
Lack of willingness of staff
Lack of consultancy service for Digital technology
Lack of well accepted standard of Library Management Software
Lack of less expensive standard of software
Inadequate Hardware
Lack of Training facility
Delay in retrospective conversion of documents
Delay in barcoding of documents
Lack of policy for periodical evaluation and time bound completion og Digital technology projects
Lack of upgradation of basic infrastructure
Erratic power supply
Lack of awareness/hesitation in users of Digital technology
Low priority to Digital technology
Lack of control over Library Staff
Lack of Motivation to staff
Frequently change in Information Technology
7. SUGGESTIONS TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM
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The government should take steps for providing library facilities with well-equipped modern technology.
The administration should invest more on the acquisition of computers and other new electronic resources and
computerized tools.
The concerned authorities should not grant affiliations and permissions to the academic institutes until and
unless they can keep the requisite library norms.
Information technology may be facilitated for making network among the libraries.
A committee consisting of Library authority, staffs and user community may be constituted to initiate joint efforts
introducing computerized service in the library.
Availability of information technology facilities (like internet) should be considered and encouraged.
The management should imbibe the culture of manpower development programme on Digital technology
regularly for workforce.
E-resources training/awareness programme may be organized from time to time by the concerned authority.
The emphasis should be given to the accessibility and subscription of electronic information resources, locally
relevant digitized information resources, as well as free web based information items by libraries.
The management committee should take steps to take help/assistance from the UGC for the successful
implementation of modern technology.
The library management should ensure that the amount charged for the use of digital resources in the library is
cheaper than others cybercafe so as to encourage library users in using the digital technology resources within
the library premises.
Earmarked grants for the college libraries should be given.
Libraries must be encouraged to renovate themselves in the modern trends.
Adequate funds may be provided to libraries for their development and functioning and it should be utilized
properly.
To overcome the problem of financial crisis in the cost of Digital resources, Librarians or Information managers
should form consortia in order to share the cost of provision and access to library and information resources.
The management should engage in collaboration effort with foreign donors who could assist the staff and
students in offering a scholarship programme for academic research that can be of benefit to all.
There should be provision for alternative power supply by having a dedicated generating plant for the library use
to offset the adverse effects of constant power. This is especially important because of the total dependence of the
IT use on electric power supply.
Users should be trained for use of computer to information retrieval, use of internet/worldwide web and IT
applications.
Training on internet search skill should be given to the to library users to enable them make adequate use of the
digital technology.
More computer terminals or work station should be created to enable users have access to the internet.
The parent body must have to co-operate with the library authorities and have to give them some specific fund
for building and increasing digital information reserves
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International Journal of Application or Innovation in Engineering & Management (IJAIEM)
Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
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The Practical digital resource management course should be integrated in the LIS curriculum so that the
upcoming library professionals gain some practical knowledge to handle and manage digital resources.
Different library associations such as ILA, IASLIC etc have to come forward and should organize seminars,
workshops etc. to create awreness among librarians about current development in technology.
International cooperation is a must in the library field. Without that libraries will be far behind from the modern
services and facilities.
Librarians need to proactive in making e-collections decisions.
The libraries must have to develop a collection development policy for digital resources.
There should be developing specific criteria for adding and canceling e-resources.
In India, lots of efforts had been made to set up networks at local, regional and national level to deploy digital
technologies and to build electronic information sources. These networks especially INFLIBNET and DELNET are
engaged in compiling union catalogs, creating various databases of experts, providing training to library staff, providing
Inter Library Loan, online facilities, reference service, assistance in retrospective conversion etc.
To overcome the problem of financial constraint librarians have formed consortia to subscribe all the required journals
and databases like FORSA (Forum for Resource Sharing in Astronomy), NISCAIR (National Institutes of Science
Communication & Information Resources. To solve the problem of university and college libraries UGC launched UGCINFONET that provides high speed Internet connections so as to have electronic access to professional literature
including research journals, abstracts, review publications and databases from all areas in science, technology, social
sciences and humanities.
8. CONCLUSION
In India, the digital movement is yet to take off. The implementation of digital technology in libraries is not receiving
adequate support from their parent body. Some of the academic libraries in India even do not have computer facilities.
The print media is still a major source of information in Indian academic libraries. Sooner or later the management
authorities would realize the need of the vital change and start tuning to the present day requirements.
References
[1] Abubakar, Bappah Magaji (2010). Digital Libraries in Nigeria in the Era of Global Change: A Perspective of the
Major Challenges. TRIM 6(2), July-Dec 2010. 125-131.
[2] Dhanavandan, S., Esmail, S. Mohammed & Nagarajan, M. (2011). Information Communication Technology (ICT)
infrastructure facilities in Self-Financing Engineering colleges Libraries in Tamil Nadu. Library Philosophy and
Practice, http://unllib.unl.edu/LPP/
[3] Dhanavandan, S. and Mohammed Esmail, S. and Mani, V. (2008). Awareness of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) Tools Among Library Professionals in Tamil Nadu. Pakistan journal of library & information
science, n. 9.
[4] Islam, Shariful and Mostofa, S.K. Mamun (2013). A Review of Digital Resources among Different types of Libraries
in Bangladesh, International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (IJHSS), Vol. 2, Issue 1, Feb 2013, 109-120.
[5] Mohamed Haneefa, K., & Abdul Shukkoor, C. K. (2010). Information and communication technology literacy among
library professionals in Calicut University, Kerala. DESIDOC Journal of Library & Information Technology, 30 (6),
55-63.
[6] Haneefa K., Mohammad (2007). Use of ICT based resources and services in special libraries in Kerala. Annals of
Library and Information Studies, Vol. 54, March 2007, pp. 23-31.
[7] Khan Salma and Dominic J. (2009), “Use of Internet by the Faculty Members of Engineering Colleges of
Moradabad:A Comparative Study”, ICAL– Library Services.
[8] Sampath Kumar, B. T., & Biradar, B. S. (2010). Use of ICT in College Libraries in Karnataka, India: a Survey.
Program: Electronic Library and Information Systems, 44 (3), 271 – 282.
[9] Singh, D.K. and Nazim, Mohammad (2008). Impact of Information Technology and Role of Libraries in the Age of
Information and Knowledge Societies. 6th International Caliber-2008, University of Allahabad, February 28-29 &
March 1, 2008. 2.8-3.4.
[10] Talab, Seyed Mohammad Ghaemi and Tajafari, Masoumeh (2012). Impact of information and communication
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[11] Tiwari, Braj Kishor and Sahoo, K.C. (2013). Infrastructure and use of ICT in University Libraries of Rajasthan
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[12] Vijayakumar A, Vijayan S S (2011) Application of information technology in libraries: An Overview. International
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Web Site: www.ijaiem.org Email: editor@ijaiem.org
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[13] Vinitha, K., Kanthimathi, Dr. S. and Devi, K. Tharani (2006). Impact of Information and Communication
Technology on Library and its Services. DRTC-ICT Conference on Digital Learning Environment 11th-13th January
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AUTHORS
Archana Saxena BSc, BLISc., MLISc.,MPhil.. Presently working as Assistant Librarian in Sahara Arts & Management
Academy, Lucknow. She has more than 12 years of experience in Library and Information Science. Various papers are
published in National and International conferences and seminars. She is member of UPLA (Uttar Pradesh Library
Association).
.
Dr. T. N. Dubey has more than 34 years of experience in Library and Information Science. Currently, he is University
Librarian at Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad. Dr. Dubey has rich & diverse experience in
Library & Information. He has dual Ph.D, first in Library & Information Science and other in Ancient Indian History. Dr.
Dubey is member in many learned Societies/Bodies viz., Indian Library Association, IASLC, Uttar Pradesh Library Association, Ex.
Secretary-UP College Library Association and many more. Besides this he is member in Academic Council of UPRTOU, Allahabad,
member of Board of Studies, Department of Library & Information Science, M.J.P. Ruhelkhand University, Bareilly. He is also
approved academic counselor of BLIS and MLIS Programme sponsored by both IGNOU and UPRTOU. He has authored three books
and written several publications in International/ National Journals & Conferences. He supervised many candidates of Ph.D & M.Phil.
He is also in advisory board and reviewer of various International & National Journals.
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