What are the challenges of the new
shift in paradigm in library services?
A scenario has been created for digital
literacy because of web sites and digital
repositories that have sprung up.Aworld
class networked global library and
information centre has been provided,
of web-based quality information
services to users in real time in the elearning
environment, and libraries are
now pathways to high quality
information in a variety of electronic
media and information services.
For the e-learning environment,
there is provision of access to online
e-journals and e-books and all relevant
information are integrated on networks
across the world, while for the physical
library, provision of library premises
with computers and networks where the
development of new standards and
skills is encouraged has emerged.
Libraries as gateway
The library provides access to all
forms of knowledge. Collection
development in libraries ensures that
what is focused on by those responsible
gets acquired. The knowledge is gathered
in different formats, modes and media,
while a lot is invested in the libraries to
organize (catalogue and classify) the
collection. The all important decision of
what to leave for users and how to leave it
for them subsequently applies. These are
taken care of with access and reference
services. The road is thus open to
knowledge users.
In this environment of technological
innovations, libraries have
metamorphosed from secured
inventory systems to collaborative
discovery systems, from knowledge
keepers to knowledge access. Libraries
now serve as gateways to knowledge
through the following functions