Competency H

Demonstrate proficiency in the use of current information and communication technologies, and other related technologies, as they affect the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information providing entities .

A large crowd of friends and former disciples gather to celebrate the Master's ninetieth birthday. Before the party was over the Master rose to speak: "Life," he said, "is measured by the quality not by the numbers of one's days."
Anthony de Mello

That is true. The quality of a good life always makes the person feel much better as he/she is living each day. Much thank to the current technologies because they have been able to help us to do much in a shorter time. Undoubtedly computer technologies have been widely pervaded everywhere, especially in library service, for many different kinds of functions. Approximately about twenty years ago, library still used the old fashion card catalog. Though it was scientifically organized, it was certainly obsolete. Now it is replaced with computer terminal which serves the same purpose only with much less space, faster and greater efficiency. In R.B. Okiy's article, "Strengthening Information Provision in Nigerian University Libraries through Information Communication Technologies," the information and communication technologies receive much attention as the author writes as follows: "In the present times, these range of resources (a wide range of information resources in all formats both book and non-book) include the computer and its associated peripherals aimed at increased access to timely, accurate, relevant and current information from both immediate and remote data bases" (Okiy, p. 311-312). Okiy's thought truly reflects the reality in every library across the world. Now with the advance of Internet technology, many libraries have made Web-based catalog available for patrons to access from near and far. In addition to this innovation, many libraries even spend enormous budget to digitalize much of their materials and offer them online. As it is obvious to all, computer and Internet technologies have continued to evolve. The more they evolve the better quality they provide for library's information and communication technologies. For all librarians and information professionals, it is extremely important for them to be aware that the world of technology is constantly evolving around them, and they should commit themselves to learn how to apply these resources in their service.

In relation to this competency, I did several coursework and was quite fascinated about them. One of the research papers that I did was for LIBR 210-13 (Reference & Information Services). This paper is called "The Practice of Reference in the Next Ten Years." In this paper, I explored the definition of what Internet library means. From my research, the Internet library has many different names like digital library, virtual library, and electronic library. All these terms have been used interchangeably in many scholarly literatures. One of the very educational articles that I read for this paper is from Qian Zhou, "The Development of Digital Libraries in China and the Shaping of Digital Librarians." In this article, Zhou defines digital library as follows: "A digital library is actually not a library from a spatial prospect; instead, it is digital information resources center containing multimedia information resources. A digital library exists by digitizing information, such as characters, videos, and audios, and providing users with quick and convenient information services via the internet, to deliver a digital information system in which share of resource in available." Digital library is nothing new in our time. Many libraries have begun to head into this direction with constant improvement of digital resources. The affect that digital library is having on the resources and uses of libraries and other types of information is very positive. Future librarians and information professionals need to prepare themselves for this evolution of Internet technology.

Another research paper that I did was also in relation to this competency is called, "Role and Responsibilities for Depository Libraries in the Future." This paper was for LIBR 221-10 (Government Information Sources). In this paper, I discussed that it is the good intention of the Government to provide publications to the depository libraries and fund their operations. Without this effort, the program is not possible. The benefit of this function is two folds. On the one hand, it makes the Government publication available to the American public, and on the other hand it is intended to preserve them from loss or destruction. With digital resources, patrons can search the Government information from their personal computer. With just a simple click on a mouse, they could receive much more than they can imagine. Many studies have been done about the online service regarding the FDLP, and they have been very positive as Jane Cramer puts it in her article, "Free Online Government Information: A Resource Guide." She reports that reports that in "FY 2000, 53 per cent of new titles were disseminated electronically and the number is expected to rise in FY 2001. Already more than 202,000 titles are online with more than 30 million downloads per month." That is truly amazing.

A real life experience with current information and communication technologies is the online classes that I have been taking for the School of Library and Information Science. It has been three years now, and I only had to go an actual class only twice. I think I have to be back to the actual school one more time for graduation. If we can celebrate graduation online, that would be very neat. All discussions, presentations, teachings and everything have been online. Current information and communication technologies have really changed the ways we study and live our life. For all those years without driving to school, not only did I save thousands of dollars on gas, I also saved much time by not traveling from home to school, let alone the traffic and the over crowdedness at the school's parking lot. So not only does the use of current information and communication technologies affect the resources and uses of libraries, but it also makes a great impact on the future librarians and information professionals while they are still in school.

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