PUTTING LIBRARY IN THE POCKET

This article was sent in by a 100L student of Department of Computer Science Ilemobayo Samson. Much  kudos to him for this  brilliant writeup, you can follow him on twitter @officialsamkayz
now to the deal.Read carefully..


 In many of our higher institution, we offer a compulsory course in Library Science Known as ‘Use of library’. It involved cataloging, indexing and the use of library cards.
Whatever your discipline, the library was a place of regular visit as a repository of knowledge. And if seeking knowledge was the sole reason of being in school, you must learn how to use the library. Some Student literally slept in the library because that was where all the resource for the term papers, the project works or the endless assignments one had to write could be found. Life on campus revolves around the lecture room, library and Hostel.
Today, things have changed. Aside the fact that school and public libraries in Nigeria are no longer what they use to be due to the decadence resulting from the age-long neglect of our education sector by successive governments, technology has transformed library science into information science. This is because like in all other fields, development in ICT have converged computing, information, communications, entertainment and mass media practice into one platform, thereby providing information in the digital format used by computers.
It is an unusual sight seeing students carrying a pile of books borrowed from the library. With the help of ICT, the library has become virtual and digitized, making online access and file transfer possible with networking and sharing of information. With specialized hardware and software already in use across the world, digital information can now be sent in multiple copies simultaneously over information networks in a minute or even some seconds. There is no need for users with personal computers attached to the network to personally go to the library. They can access information via their PCs; digital information can be cut and pasted from on document into another, free or cheaper than print equivalents. This has modified the librarians’ roles in various ways.
The big question is: where is Nigeria in all of this? Libraries across the country can be networked, stocked with core collections in multimedia format, have an unhindered access to global information 24/7 as well as become digital and virtual, thus, benefitting students, researchers etc., and make learning a lot easier and cheaper. Library users don’t have to physically visit the library because they easily access books, journals and other resources online. How easier can it get?
Also, deploying technology will substantially increase the level of technology literacy, increase demand for better and faster access to information because it is less stressful and
serve as a catalyst for the growth and development of libraries across the country with a multiplier effect on quality of learning and teaching.
A recent report in Asia Pacific FutureGov- a website that keeps tab on developments in the Asia Pacific region, the United States Embassy in Singapore donated to the National Library Board of Singapore a device called eReader under the eDevice Loan Scheme.
According to the board’s spokesperson, it is a part of NLB’s efforts to bridge the digital divide among citizens of Singapore, and bring the benefit of the library board’s electronic devices themselves.
This donation will benefit Singaporeans, especially those who do not have the means to own such electronic devices to access our vast collection of eBooks… These eReader will appeal to our library patrons of all ages, from students to senior citizens, where they can read at their own leisure and convenience.
Frankly, I wish our country can take a cue from Singapore and others who, due to conscious effort to improve education and learning, have moved from third world status to a place where than compete with the best across the world. More importantly, they have come to appreciate the library as a veritable source of spurring development and they are investing in library development. So, what exactly are we doing or do we intend to play catch up when the world is moving at an unprecedented speed?