Information technology is a great achievement for businesses and it is essential for the growth and survival of the businesses of today. It has a great impact on the people, resources and profits of the businesses. It has seen that Information Technology has fastened the development of businesses and it is also necessary to meet the competition in the industry. This report will discuss about the impact of IT on the State Library of Queensland. This library was founded in 1896 and is one of the most visited libraries in Australia. It has partnership with more than 340 public libraries. The library has fulfilled the need and requirements of 21st century and a trusted source of information for all the population visiting here for information and knowledge (State Library of Queensland, 2017). The report will discuss about the need of IT in the library and how IT is used in the library. The benefits as well as challenges of using IT in the library will be discussed and how it is maintained and monitored by the library.
The State Library of Queensland is a knowledge bank for the community and IT has played a development role in the services of library i.e. providing services to the users. Today, Libraries need to be equipped with the updated information and technology for providing right information to the customers at any time. The libraries of today need to adapt the Information technology so that the people can be attracted towards libraries instead of Internet which has become a primary source of information nowadays (Vijayakumar & Vijayan, 2011) The libraries of today also need to be equipped with proper computer systems to provide modern equipments and research options for the users. The libraries have also turned into computerised form which brings ease to the users in accessing vast information. Information technology is also used to save considerable amount of paper and help environment in return. Information technology is also needed in the library to communicate within various sections. The library is big and communication is must to keep up the knowledge about the various sections. For this, various tools are used so that managing library can become easier (Singh, 2013).
Information technology is essential for the survival of Library because the libraries are having tough competition in the industry. Innovation and technology has become an indispensible part of the libraries for which Information technology is must. Without IT, the libraries will lag behind and it will drastically impact the number of users when the library will not be updated and fully equipped with newer options for the users (Uddin & Hasan, 2012).
For applying IT into the business of Library, different things are required. Like, cost is required to implement the systems. The library needs a huge amount of money to buy the services or to implement the systems. IT requires good planning so that the services can be implemented as per the plans successfully. The library can consider designing a blueprint in which framework will be created as to how the enterprise system can be adopted and implemented. This also requires time and cost by the organisation. The firm needs equipments for running an enterprise resource planning system in the organisation. The installation of the systems needs manpower and also cost. After the implementation, when the systems will be brought into the function, staffs are required to handle them. Training need to be given to the staff to use the systems properly and to get better results (Tiwari, Towari & Sharma, 2015).
In Libraries, IT is used externally as well as internally. With the merging of library and information technology, the scope of the services changed. There are major areas where IT is used in the library. IT is used for keeping records. The records about hardware’s, softwares, databases, etc. IT can be used in the form of media used for storing knowledge such as CD’s, DVD’s, Pen drives, etc. It is used for communicating the knowledge in the form of emails, data communication networks and more (Khan, 2016).
Information Technology can be used externally as well as internally in the Libraries. Internally, it is used by the employees to keep records and to maintain the databases of the users who use the services and for the books and other information sources which are used by the users. They also have to maintain records about the hardware’s and softwares. The collect the information, process it, store it for the retrieval and dissemination of that recorded information (Saxena & Yadav, 2013). So, by the employees, IT is used for:
IT is used externally by the users and suppliers. The users use computers for better knowledge gathering. They also use internet for gaining wide knowledge. The users use scanner, photocopy, printer or mails for keeping the information with them. The suppliers use emails, electronic invoices, etc to supply the required materials by the library (Krubu & Osawaru, 2010)
Information Technology is very advantageous for the library business. It makes easy for the staff to manage the complex databases. It also helps in creation of the huge network of library as it has many sections. It maintains the records which avoids repetition. It enhances the range of the services offered in the library. It ultimately saves the time of the users and of the employees. It benefits the library by increasing the efficiency of the services because the access of information will be easy and speedy. The quality of the services of library improves which enhances the knowledge and experience of the users. The improvement in quality of services and in communication within the library has been able to attract the maximum users which improved the profitability of the library. It benefits the library employees by reducing the workload and keeping them up to date with the information and data (Parera & Chandra, 2010).
The professionals in the libraries are using Information Technology to keep the pace with the explosion of internet and globalisation. IT has its impact on the attributes of students. Several studies have proved that the use of ICT has motivated the students and increased their self esteem when they get accessed to ICT. It has also increased the revenue of the library due to the increase of users and decrease in costs (Hussain, 2013).
Despite of having many advantages of having information Technology in the State Library of Queensland, there is e many disadvantages too. The library has to face shortage of funds because the implementation of IT needs a lot of funds. Funds are needed in buying the services, setting up of [proper infrastructure and training the employees for using information technology for business. The operational costs of running the technology is increasing year by year and the number of users are decreasing because of the increase in accessibility of internet and Smartphone’s or tablets. The Information technology is not used properly because the staffs are untrained and not used to the advanced technologies. Use of Information technology will also reduce the need of human intervention which will lead to the increase in unemployment. Implementing Information technology requires enough time, experience and money to take full advantage of it (Kadiri & Adetoro, 2012).
Information technology can also face the risk of security to the data of the libraries which can be leaked or spammed by the unreliable sources. IT poses a huge risk to the security and confidentiality of data of the libraries (Australian Library and Information Association, 2013).
Information Technology needs to be maintained and monitored at regular intervals in order to save the data and processes of libraries. The State Library of Queensland is facing a lot of competition in the industry as Australia has world class libraries. The library implement risk management system in order to detect any risk to the data of library. The department for information Technology has been set up in the library which can control and regularly maintain the IT systems of the library. It is done to protect the functions of the library and the users from uneasiness because of the faults in the system. The State Library of Queensland also outsources the services from the IT companies and pays them in return. These services are taken in order to provide best services to the users and to enhance their satisfaction and performance of the library (Yee, 2012).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that IT has become an integral part of the companies and businesses which is used in almost every function of the business. The report discusses about the Impact of IT on the libraries and it is concluded that the State Library of Queensland uses Information technology for having a competitive advantage in the industry and to provide efficient services to the users. It benefits the library by increasing its profits and regulating the functions of the library but it also carries certain disadvantages with it. There is a risk of security and privacy to the data of library which has to be maintained and monitored carefully.It is recommended to the State Library of Queensland to outsource the IT services to provide the access to the users for better services. The library should also look out for better technologies to enhance the satisfaction of the users.
References
Australian Library and Information Association, 2013, ‘The Future of the Profession Themes and scenarios 2025’. Retrieved from https://www.alia.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/advocacy/The%20Future%20of%20the%20Profession.pdf.
Hussain, A 2013, ‘The ICT based library and Information services: a case study of B-Schools in Delhi and NCR region’, Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). Paper 1011.
Kadiri, J A & Adetoro, N A 2012, ‘Information Explosion And The Challenges Of Information And communication Technology Utilization In Nigerian Libraries And information Centres’, Tai Solarin University of Education.
Khan, J 2016, ‘Impact Of Information Communication Technology On Library And Its Services’, International Journal of Research Granthaalayah, Vol 4.
Krubu, D & Osawaru, K 2010, ‘The Impact Of Information And Communication Technology (Ict) In Nigerian University Libraries’, Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). Paper 515.
Mathew, S 2011, ‘Impact of Information Communication Technology (ICT) on Professional Development and Educational Needs of Library Professionals in the Universities of Kerala’, Cochin University of Science and Technology
Parera, K & Chandra, D 2010, ‘Use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in Academic Libraries: A Gateway to the Scholarly World’, International Symposium on Emerging Trends and Technologies in Libraries and Information Services.
Saxena, A & Yadav, R D 2013, ‘Impact Of Mobile Technology On Libraries: A Descriptive Study’, International Journal of Digital Library Services, Vol 3.
Singh, K 2013, ‘Impact of Technology in Library Services’, International Journal of Management and Social Sciences Research (IJMSSR), Volume 2, No. 4.
State Library of Queensland, 2017, ‘About Us’. Retrieved from https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/about-us.
Tiwari, M, Towari, N S & Sharma, R 2015, ‘Information & communication technology in academic libraries: how they are important today?’, International Journal of Applied Research 2015; 1(11): 668-672.
Uddin, M J & Hasan, M N 2012, ‘Use of information technology in library service: A study on some selected libraries in northern part of Bangladesh’, International Journal of Library and Information Science, Vol. 4(3), pp. 34-44.
Vijayakumar, A & Vijayan, S S 2011, ‘Application Of Information Technology In Libraries: An Overview’, International Journal Of Digital Library Services, Vol l.
Yee, A 2012, ‘Mobile technology: academic libraries in Australia and beyond’, in Bart Rutherford (ed.) VALA 2012 Proceedings, Melbourne, Australia.
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