Impact of Information Technology on Library and Its Services

Abstract

Developments in information technology have made significant impact on all spheres of human life. The impact has been rather prominent in case of service activities such as banking, health, transportation, education and libraries. The information explosion of recent years has led to the phenomenal increase in the production of scientific and technical literature. Approximately one million articles are published every year. The traditional tools and techniques proved inadequate and slow to harness the flooding information. Innovations in computer and telecommunications technology have resulted in major changes in basic library operations.

According to ALA Glossary (1983) “information technology is the application of computers and other technologies to the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information.”

The term Information Technology (IT) is most commonly used to mean a combination of computer and communication technologies used for information storage, retrieval and dissemination. It also covers the developments and improvement of non-print media for re-ordering information such as microfilms, microfiches, CD-ROMs, etc.