Introduction
The value of Information and their communication are enormous to the present society and it is very important the information should consist of pertinent data and used for some specific purposes, so that information has recognized as a precious product and service and Therefore it is essential that everybody who uses the information should understand the significance of it and have easy right to use. So there are many types of institutions but library is a most prominent institution to collect, organize, process and evaluate, store, preserve and disseminate information in different manner for different level of people in society. In other words, a library is a collection of sources (print and electronic format) of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing purposes and now it is considered as the treasure house of knowledge where data and information are stored in both the print and the non-print format, so that users use this to meet their information requirements. The main objective of library is provide right information to the right person at the right time without any barriers and for this purpose library staff and librarians should be fulfill the specific information requirements to the user and try to satisfy them. With these changes of demand, libraries are transformed into modern library as information and resource centre where not only print document stored but also provide non-print or electronic documents to their users.
There is no exact definition for modern library but here modern library simply means for library in modern age or in electronic environment i.e. a library which is a push towards digital library and rapidly advances in information technologies. In the modern information cultured world, where the exercise of online and web based information services and sources constantly increases, the modern libraries are managed in a more autonomous way to have organized more flexible communication system and work so that their services expansion is based on the quality and user-oriented.
The modern library provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building, rooms or a virtual space or both. A library collection include with the new technology material CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, e-journals, films, audio-books, videos, online-databases and other digitized materials. Internet facilities become very common to all kinds of libraries and with all these developments, the libraries become more technologically equipped for acquiring different sources and providing services to its clientele. Following are the some technologies used in library:
• Information Capture tools like Key board, Scanner, Digital Cameras, etc.
• Storage facilities such as PCs, Floppy disks, CDs / DVDs, Pen drives, Portable HDs etc.
• Networking like Client-server, P2P, Internet
• securities Identification such as Barcode, RFID, Biometric, etc.
• creation of electronic Databases for Books, articles, reports, aggregators, publishers, IRs, etc.
• Digital Library Software for example Green stone digital Library , DSpace, Fedora etc.
• Library automation packages for example WIN/ISIS, Inmagic, LibraryWorld, Virtua, etc.
• Open Source software like KOHA, New Gen Lib, etc
Further, ICT used in various fields of library activities and following some of the functions in ICT based library system are:
• In Acquisition section ICT helps to prepare the Acquisition/Accession list, Order file and report etc.
• For Serial Management such as serial check-in/out and claiming of pending issues, create the Union and holding list etc.
• In Cataloging/classification section for example Catalogue card/label production, Retrospective conversion, Online catalogue etc.
• In Circulation section many activities such as issuing, returning, interlibrary loan, reservation, over dues etc.
• For Information storage and retrieval such as, database construction, online database searching, down loading and uploading, indexing and abstracting etc.
• For Reference and Information services such as bibliographic listing, library instruction, public access, computer literacy, e-reference etc.
• Activities related to Management of libraries such as accounting, budgeting, word processing, mailing, Scheduling/planning, Statistical report etc.
Now the situation of library services has been changed considerably as of the changed nature of the information demand of the users which is much more specific and pin pointed and they want the information in transferable and convenient form which can use without difficulty. With this change of the demand and the rapid use of the ICT elements forced the librarians to take initiative to provide modern user oriented ICT based services. These new services have changed the aspect of the library and it will run side by side with other traditional services. The following are the modern services provided in most of the library and information centres:
• Providing Current Awareness Service of books and current journals.
• Internet access via the library’s workstations or network.
• Wireless computing and Internet access via laptop within the organization.
• Access to the online and digital documents to OPACs/Web OPACs.
• Maintaining digital repositories within and outside the campus.
• Access to Databases, Abstracting and Indexing Journals.
• Electronic document delivery (EDD)
• Information Services through CD-ROM and online databases.
• Printouts from CD-ROM databases and online databases.
• Services through Social Networking tools.
• Use of different Web 2.0 elements like wikis, blogs, RSS, etc.
• Different e-mail-based services.
All these new services have emphasis to build proper library systems, which ultimately help the library users to get their required information in time and use of these new services modernized the vision of traditional libraries. (Chatterjee & Maity, 2013)
IMPACT OF ICT IN MODERN LIBRARIES
With the invention of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), everyday new technological advances affect the way of handling the information in libraries and information centers and introduction the various information communication technology (ICT) trends has lead to restructuring, change in work patterns, demand for new skills, job retraining and reclassification positions.
The impacts of new technologies are felt by libraries in every aspect which are given below:
• ICT made possible to their users provide efficient, comprehensive and fast search service for information.
• To support library functions and activities using modern ICTs such as circulation, serial control, acquisition control, stock maintenance and other office works and developing in-house databases.
• To retrieve and disseminate the information in user-defined format.
• To made possible networking and resource sharing at local and regional level.
• To digitize the documents for preservation and for space and time saving and disseminate document to many users at the one time.
• To introduce and provide new services, rejuvenate the existing services by providing faster access to the resources, by overcoming the space and time barriers.
• Librarians and staff had to learn new knowledge and skills in order to meet users need for new information services using ICT and e-resources.
• Using modern ICTs in library and information centre to automate their core functions and implement efficient and effective management information system and develop institutional repositories of digital local content.
PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES FACED BY PROFESSIONALS FOR MANAGING MODERN LIBRARIES
Following challenges for the LIS professionals to run the computerized and networked library for the library users:
• Use of computers in house-keeping operations including computerized library services
• Database creation and merging with the union databases and access to in-house bibliographical databases through OPAC and web OPAC.
• Library networking activities by various agencies like INFLIBNET, DELNET for resources and information sharing.
• Collection development of electronic-resources or digital resources like CD-ROM databases, on-line bibliographical databases, thesis and dissertation databases, on-line e-journals.
• Making available internet services over campus network through Dial-up, Broadband, VSAT, Leases line, and radio link connectivity.
• Conversion of computerized library to digital library either by digitizing the local connection or by procuring digital resources and hosting on institutions website for wider access.
• Establishing Institutional Repositories and maintaining the research output of the university/institutions on the Institutional Repositories servers for restricted access or open access for all.
• Library securities using RFID technology
• Organizing library conferences, seminars, and workshops for LIS professionals.
• Organizing in-house training for library professionals and staff.
• Training for empowering end-users for ICT based library and information services.