Lecture Notes: Collection Development and Information Communication Technology (ICT)
Course: Master’s in Library and Information Science**
Introduction to ICT in Collection Development
This session explores the critical role of Information and Technology (ICT) in the realm of collection development. ICT’s impact is profound and far-reaching, revolutionizing numerous aspects of our daily lives, including how library operations are conducted. This technology has streamlined previously laborious, dull, and lengthy library tasks, making them more engaging, efficient, and swift. Today, we’ll eplore into how ICT aids in various facets of collection development, including community information gathering, policy formation, material selection, acquisition, weeding, evaluation, preservation, conservation, and resource management. This discussion aims to enhance your appreciation of ICT’s invaluable contributions to collection development.
*Meaning and Application of ICT in Collection Development
Defining ICT
Information Technology (IT), a subset of ICT, involves using computers and other technologies for the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of information. IT encompasses both tangible hardware and intangible software components. Hardware refers to the physical electronic devices, while software consists of the programs and instructions that operate the hardware. Key hardware categories include input, output, processing, memory, storage, and telecommunication devices, each paired with corresponding software to facilitate their functions. Notable IT tools and services include computers, the internet, scanners, telecommunication devices like phones and fax machines, multimedia resources, and connectivity solutions such as LAN and WAN.
Applying ICT to Collection Development
ICT proves instrumental across all collection development activities. Let’s outline some specific applications:
- Community Analysis:** Using ICT tools like iPads, computers with internet access, telephones, and photocopiers can significantly aid in gathering community insights. Online forms can collect data, computers store the information, and iPads record interviews. During community forums, projectors display library resources, enhancing engagement and information sharing.
- Collection Development Policy: The internet provides access to existing collection development policies from various libraries, serving as references for developing new or revised policies.\
- Selection: ICT facilitates the selection process through tools such as computers and telephones. Committee members can submit recommendations online, while extensive online bibliographic databases (e.g., the Library of Congress or OCLC) and publishers’ catalogues offer resources for potential acquisition. Social media platforms and email also enable user participation in the selection process.
- Acquisition: Computers are used to create and print order forms, while online forms streamline submission and tracking. Photocopiers produce additional copies as needed. Telecommunication allows for direct contact with publishers and vendors to ensure timely delivery.
- Weeding and Evaluation: If the library is automated, software helps identify seldom-used resources, triggering evaluation and potential weeding. Online surveys can collect user feedback on library resources and facilities, facilitating effective decision-making.
Through these discussions, it’s evident that ICT is not just a facilitator but a transformative force in modern collection development, driving efficiency and enhancing library services to meet contemporary needs.
Lecturer:
Dr. Ayodele John Alonge, the University of Ibadan, Nigeria