The Role of Information Technology in Nation Building: the Librarian’s Perspective
THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN NATION BUILDING: THE
LIBRARIAN’S PERSPECTIVE
MULIKAT BOLA ALIYU
And
ABDULWAHAB OLANREWAJU ISSA
Department of Library and Information Science,
The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.
ABSTRACT
The paper examines information from the perspective of a conceptual framework with a view, primarily, to establishing its primacy and universality in a technologically propelled world of today. Owing to the exponential growth in the generation, availability and accessibility of information in recent time, the paper establishes the significance of the application of relevant technology in information acquisition, processing, storing, retrieving and disseminating the hallmark of libraries. Impediments to a full realization of opportunities offered by information technology such as infrastructure dilapidation, owing to perennial shortage of funds, adequate personnel, maintenance culture, etc. were pinpointed. It concludes on a recommendatory note by suggesting the rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities, improved budgetary allocation to, and monitoring of, the information sub-sector, recruitment of sound and skilled personnel, including on-the-job training and retraining as well as proper and adequate maintenance orientation.
INTRODUCTION Several authors on this and similar theme have defined the term “information” differently. Others who took its definition in their writings for granted did so probably because they felt the term is too common and indeed too familiar to warrant such a need. This is however contrary to the position of many authors who have found that defining the term information is not after all, as simple and straight forward as some have thought. Aguolu (1989) underscores this “semantic and conceptual difficulties”, as there are many approaches/dimensions to doing this. Not only can it be referring to “information systems or to objective and cognitive documentary information”, it also has “time and
LIBRARIAN’S PERSPECTIVE
MULIKAT BOLA ALIYU
And
ABDULWAHAB OLANREWAJU ISSA
Department of Library and Information Science,
The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.
ABSTRACT
The paper examines information from the perspective of a conceptual framework with a view, primarily, to establishing its primacy and universality in a technologically propelled world of today. Owing to the exponential growth in the generation, availability and accessibility of information in recent time, the paper establishes the significance of the application of relevant technology in information acquisition, processing, storing, retrieving and disseminating the hallmark of libraries. Impediments to a full realization of opportunities offered by information technology such as infrastructure dilapidation, owing to perennial shortage of funds, adequate personnel, maintenance culture, etc. were pinpointed. It concludes on a recommendatory note by suggesting the rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities, improved budgetary allocation to, and monitoring of, the information sub-sector, recruitment of sound and skilled personnel, including on-the-job training and retraining as well as proper and adequate maintenance orientation.
INTRODUCTION Several authors on this and similar theme have defined the term “information” differently. Others who took its definition in their writings for granted did so probably because they felt the term is too common and indeed too familiar to warrant such a need. This is however contrary to the position of many authors who have found that defining the term information is not after all, as simple and straight forward as some have thought. Aguolu (1989) underscores this “semantic and conceptual difficulties”, as there are many approaches/dimensions to doing this. Not only can it be referring to “information systems or to objective and cognitive documentary information”, it also has “time and
References: Aguolu, C. C. (1989) “Libraries, Knowledge and National Development”. Inaugural Lecture Series 88/89 Session. Maiduguri: University of Maiduguri Press. Burch, R.M and C.O. Grundnitski. (1989) “The Integrity of Digital Information”. American Journal Of Information Science. 22 (1) P.210. Brightman, Richard W and Jeffrey M. Damsdale (1986) Using computer in an Information Age. New. York: Delmar Publishers Inc. Chisenga, Justin (1995) “The Status of Information Technology in Zambian Library”. African Journal of Library Archival and Information Science 5 (1) Pp. 19-24 Ibid. Cochrance, P.A. (1992) “information technology in Libraries and Ranganathan’s Five Laws of Library Science April 42 (3) Pp.235-241 Daniel C Ehikhamenor, F.A. (1993) “ Information Technology and Scientific and Technological Information in Nigeria: Revolution or Evolution” . African Journal of Library, Archival and Information Science. 3 (2) Pp. 113-123. Issa, A.O. (1998) “Information Dissemination to the Rural Persons in Nigeria: A Librarians Perspective”. Paper presented at the 3rd Nigerian Association of Educationists for National Development (NAEND) at the Federal College of Education, Zaria. P.1