Library and Information Services in the Age of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Challenges.

Abstract

There is no gainsaying that in the world today many organizations, both government and private are taking advantage of the numerous opportunities that are provided by modem Information and communication technologies (ICTs). Libraries are not exception. ICTs present an opportunity to provide value-added information services and access to a wide variety of digital-based information resources to their clients. As a result, they are able to automate their core functions, implement efficient and effective library cooperation and resource sharing networks, implement management information systems and develop institutional repositories of digital local content. The implementation of these opportunities have been characterized with challenges which include including lack of funds to sustain the ICT infrastructure, inability of librarians/libraries to keep up with the pace of developments in ICTs and inadequate ICT facilities in the libraries. Others include lack of staff with appropriate skills to manage ICTs both at the strategic and operational levels, absence of institutional policies and strategies to support and guide the use of ICTs, and lack of adequate knowledge and skills to manage digital information resources and to deal with issues relating to copyright. Issues of intellectual property rights in a digital information environment are yet to be resolved.