INFORMATION MANAGEMENT OF BOOKS AND TRADITIONAL LIBRARIES IN A NETWORKED ENVIRONMENT: PREDICTIONS, REALITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Abstract

Information management has passed through various impactful technological development with lots of predictions, realities and expectations and challenges over decades and centuries. As new technologies ushered in and heralded, the old ones were either replaced or impact greatly reduced. The emergence of ICTs, internet, digitization as improvement on technologies amid books and traditional libraries is were not exceptions. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictions, realities and expectations as they relate to the contributions of books, libraries in areas of network environment characterized by ICTs, internet, digital libraries. Some basic concepts such as information management, books, traditional libraries network environments, predictions, realities and expectations were conceptually defined to guide the study. The study highlighted brief historical review of some predictions on the impact of ICTs in libraries and the society before its emergence, examined realities or the state of the art, that is, whether these predictions fulfill or invalidated. Also, the study x-rayed the expectations of library management as to what type of library to adopt in information management so as to serve the user effectively and efficiently as it relates service delivery. The paper concluded that, both traditional and electronic libraries are needed for effective library service provision to users. This study recommended among other things that library managers should integrate ICTs into the books and traditional libraries as to provide some level of balance between old generation of library professionals and users who are still computer illiterates and the literate computer professionals and users who possess the necessary skills to function effectively in a network environment. Emphasis should be given to library provision through adequate provision of funds, training of library personnel, provision of adequate computers/ICT facilities, frequent power supply among other strategies as to promote favorable learning, teaching and research oriented networked environment suitable to all users.