Application of Ict in Library

Application of ICT in Libraries URL: http://unllib. unl. edu/LPP/anunobi-edoka. htm Use of ICT Facilities for Serials Functions in Southern Nigeria Federal University Libraries Chinwe V. Anunobi Ph. D Digital Librarian Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria Benson E. Edoka Professor Department of Library and Information Science University of Nigeria, Nsukka Nsukka, Nigeria Introduction User expectation from any information providing system is to make available directly or remotely and in real time the needed information, format not withstanding.In the university environment, the library a major information providing system supports teaching, learning and research with information materials of various types. Among these diverse information materials, serials are needed especially by faculty and research students. Before the development and use of ICT facilities for capturing/acquisition, processing dissemination and retrieval of information, serials operations were predominantly manu al.However with the development of ICT based library service which brought with it self service and simultaneous access to resources (Womboh & Abba 2008), peoples' interest switched from print to electronic information. Furthermore, serials operations in developing countries which was besieged with problems associated with cost (Millis 1992, de Marcas 2000; Aina 2003), inadequate acquisition and processing tools (Szilvassy 1996), competency and accessibility problems (Cohen 1989 and Mullis 1992), embrace the use of ICT facilities as an approach to overcome some of the mentioned problems.This is necessary since according to Ajayi (2003) any industry information or any other which ‘sidelines ICT has simply signed a death warrant' The ICT facilities applied in the library in general and serials unit in particular are based on the functions performed therein. The functions performed in the university serials unit as indicated by Tuttle (1983) are acquisition, processing, public se rvice and preservation. These functions are synonymous with the functions performed in the university library though with some peculiarities emanating from the nature of serials.Therefore ICT facilities used in the broad university library are also applicable to the serials unit but also with peculiarity occasioned by the nature of serials. These services and operations have been transformed using ICT. Aina (2004) informed that there is efficiency in resource organization as delivery and dissemination of information have become effective and easy. Repetitive and routine tasks in the library have been eliminated. Furthermore, the availability of bibliographic database, full text documents and digital library collection is now taken for granted as noted by Chesenga (2004).The IT (ICT) facilities use in the library is defined by the American Library Association (1993) as â€Å"the application of computers and other technology to the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval and di ssemination of information. Ifidon (1985) enumerated the functions available for ICT use in the library to include ordering and acquisition with the following activities: ordering, receiving, settlement of invoice and administration of records and expenditure..Further to that, Oketunji (2001) and Chesenga (2004) listed library functions in which ICT could be applied to include acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serials control, selective dissemination of information services and preparation of management information. Furthermore, the application of ICT facilities in the library could be in the stand alone or integrated form. Many countries and institutions are at varying level of ICT application in their library operation.Islam and Islam (2007) documented the use ICT in libraries in Bangladash and informed that though the use started between 1964 and 1995, progress was not made until 1996. In Nigeria many universities are at the advanced stage of ICT use in library operations. A nunobi and Benard (2007) informed that in their study of ICT availability for library operations in the Imo state of Nigeria only two of the four academic libraries; Federal University of Technology Owerri and Imo State University show evidence of using ICT for library operations.Emorjorho, &Nwalo (2009) found in their study that only very few libraries in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria use ICT in library operations where university libraries have more ICT facilities than the special libraries. Nok(2006) documented the use of ICT in Kashim Ibrahim library, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria while Ekpengong( 1997) presented the situation in special libraries in Nigeria. Ani, Esin and Edim(2005) also studied the use of ICT in Nigeria University libraries.For serials operation, Agbaje (2002:27) informed that â€Å"information technology can be an effective hand–maid to serials management at every stage of management process and irrespective of content, use, format and overall strategy a dopted for serials management by the organization in question† Akinyotu (1977), Alabi (1985), Oketunji (2001) Agbaje (2002) and Oni (2004) noted that using various approaches, ICT facilities in serials unit can be for the following functions and activities: subscription control, procurement process, order preparation, fund analysis and accounting.They can also be used for bibliographic file control, cataloguing of new serials, preparation of serials record entries and transaction control. Effecting serials additions, changes and deletions or collection control can be performed with ICT facilities. Services and preservation functions such as servicing request for serials publication, binding control file, missing issues, holdings accession of want list as well as union lists are amenable to ICT facilities use.In their findings on the use of computer for library services in Bangladesh, Islam and Islam (2007 ) discovered that all the libraries surveyed used ICT for serials contro l as well as other activities. The services provided according to them include CD-ROM searching, online searching, online networking, photocopying, online information services and database searching services. In Nigeria according to Ikem and Ajala (2000), preliminary use of ICT in the library started with its use to produce Union list of Serials sponsored by Committee of University Librarians of Nigeria.That notwithstanding, its continuous use for various serials function is yet to be known. Statement of the Problem There are copious studies and opinion on the use of ICT facilities for library functions in general. In Nigerian university libraries, ICT facilities were primarily used for serials functions and are still in use. However not much has been found in literature as regards the areas of serials functions they are used, and the facilities in use. Hence the survey tends to address this gap by identifying the extent of ICT use for serials operations.Objective of the Study †¢Identify the serials operations performed with ICT facilities in southern Nigerian federal university libraries; †¢Determine the serials public services performed with ICT; †¢Find out the ICT facilities used for these serials operations; †¢Ascertain if the use of ICT facilities in serials unit of the libraries is a determinant to their use for serials operations. Research Questions †¢What serials operations are performed with ICT facilities in southern Nigeria Federal university libraries? In which serials public services are the use of ICT employed in Nigerian federal university libraries? †¢What ICT facilities are used for these serials operations? †¢Does the use of ICT facility in serials units of the libraries under study determine its use for serials operations? Significance of the Study The result of this survey will help academic libraries which do not apply ICT facilities for serials functions recognize areas of serials operation in which ICT can be used, and the ICT they can use. With that they can strategize on their use.For libraries using ICT facilities for various operations, they will be acquainted with other areas ICT can be employed in serials operation and the institutions applying such. Donor agencies will also be aware of the state of ICT facilities application in Nigerian university serials operation and decide on the areas to assist such institutions. Data Collection The work covered all the federal university libraries in the three of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria namely South-East (SE), South-West (SW) and South –South (SS). The three zones comprise seventeen states with 13 federal universities.The various zones and their inclusive universities are: South East(SE): University of Nigeria, Nsukka,(UNN), Federal University of Technology Owerri(FUTO), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (NAU), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike(MOUAU) ; South-South(SS): University of Calabar(UNICAL), Un iversity of Port Harcourt(UNIPORT), University of Uyo(UNIUYO); and South West(SW): University of Ibadan(UI), Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife(OAU), University of Lagos(UNILAG),University of Benin(UNIBEN), Federal University of Technology Akure(FUTA), and University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB).Questionnaire and observation checklist were employed to gather facts and opinion of serials staff from 11 of the 13 federal universities libraries. No samples were taken from FUTA and NAU as they had no well developed serials unit at the time of this study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 55 from the 107 serials staff in the universities under study consisting of five (5) serials staff each including the Serials Librarian and any other four (4) staff which are responsible for acquisition, processing, user services and preservation in the serials units.Self developed questionnaire instrument made up of 5 items were distributed to the 65 staff. Items 1 to 3 of the question naire were developed along dichotomous checklist while items 4 and 5 were weighted on four Point Likert-like scales. The observation checklist made up of three (3) observable items was developed to enable the researcher observe serials functions and ICT facilities used in the serials unit of the studied universities. Answers to the research questions were provided for using tables, percentages, means and graphs. A midpoint mean score of 2. that is the average of the individual scores was accepted for items developed on four Point Likert–like scales. A 50 percent positive response was accepted for items analyzed with frequency and percentages. Results The result of the analysis are presented to reflect the objectives of the research which include Identifying the serials operations and public services performed with ICT facilities in the universities, identifying the ICT facilities used in the serials units and ascertain if the use of ICT in serials units determines its use for serials operations.Serials Operations Performed with ICT The study ascertained through observation in the Serials units of the studied universities functions performed with ICT facilities. The result of the Observation checklist is presented in Table 1. It shows that all serials functions in OAU are performed with ICT facilities; UNAAB and UI have 75 percent of their serials functions performed with ICT. Half of the functions (50 percent) are performed with ICT in UNILAG, UNIBEN, UNICAL, MOUAU and FUTO.UNIUYO and UNN perform only processing and public services serials functions with ICT respectively while none of the functions is performed with ICT at UNIPORT. Considering the 50 percent bench mark for acceptability, only UNIUYO, UNIPORT and UNN do not perform serials functions with ICT. Other libraries do. Table 1: Observation Checklist on the Various Serials Functions Performed with ICT facilities S/NUniversitiesSerials FunctionsTotalpercent AcquisitionProcessingPublic servicesPre servation 1FUTO00xx250 2MOUAU00xx250 3UNN00x0125 4UNIUYO0x00125 5UNICALxx00250 6UNIPORT 000000 UNIBEN00xx250 8UNILAGx0x0250 9UIx0xx375 10OAUxxxx4100 11UNAAB0xxx375 12Total448621 13percent36. 3636. 3672. 7254. 55 NOTE: x=ICT used; 0= ICT not used The Table also shows that 54. 55 percent and 72. 72 percent of the libraries perform serials preservation and public services functions with ICT facilities respectively. A 36. 36 percent of the libraries perform acquisition and processing functions with ICT facilities. Hence serials public services and preservations are the major serials functions performed with ICT in the libraries studied considering the 50 percent bench mark.Serials Public Services Performed with ICT Again, an observation was made to identify serials public services performed with ICT facilities. The observation checklist is presented in Table 2. The Table shows that UNAAB and MOUAU provide 85. 71 percent of their serials public services with ICT facilities. UI had 71. 43 percent of the services provided with ICT. A 57. 14 percent of such services were provided with ICT at UNILAG, UNICAL and FUTO. Others including UNIUYO (14. 29 percent), UNIBEN (28. 57 percent) had low use of ICT for serials public services functions.None of the services listed was provided with ICT at UNIPORT. The percentage of university libraries using ICT facilities for the various serials public services is as shown in the Table reveals that 81. 82 percent and 73. 73 percent of the studied libraries used ICT facilities to access serials and article titles respectively. ICT facilities were used to access abstract; index and the retrieval of serials titles by 54. 55 percent and 45. 45 percent of the libraries respectively. None of the libraries used ICT to access physical serials while 36. 5 percent used ICT to retrieve full text of serials. Using a 50 percent benchmark the result implied that those ICT facilities are used for access to abstract, serials and article titles in th e universities studied. Table 2: Observation Checklist on the Various Serials Public services performed with ICT Facilities S/NUniversitiesSerials Public ServicesTotalpercent Access to abstractsAccess to IndexesAccess to Serials titleAccess to article titlesLocation of physical serialsRetrieval of Serials titlesRetrieval of full text Serials 1FUTOxxxx000457. 14 MOUAUxxxx0xx685. 75 3UNN000000000 4UNIUYO00x0000114. 29 5UNICAL00xx0xx457. 14 6UNIPORT 000000000 7UNIBEN00xx000228. 57 8UNILAGx0xx00x457. 14 9UIxxxx0x0571. 43 10OAUxxxx0x0571. 43 11UNAABxxxx0xx685. 75 12Total659805437 13percent54. 5545. 4581. 8273. 73045. 4536. 36 NOTE: x=ICT used; 0= ICT not used ICT Facilities Used for Serials Operation in Serials Unit Answer to the research question on the ICT used for serials operations was found by the Researcher's observation of the use made of ICT facilities in serials units of the various university libraries.The result of the observation is presented in Table 3. The Table shows that only 50 percent of the listed ICT facilities were used in the serials units of UNAAB and UI. UNIBEN, MOUAU and UNILAG used 42. 86 percent and 35. 71 percent of the facilities respectively. UNICAL and UNIUYO used 28. 57 percent and 14. 29 percent respectively while UNIPORT, UNN and OAU each used 7. 14 percent of the ICT facilities in their serials units. None of the facilities was used at the time of this study in FUTO Serials unit. Table 3: Observation Checklist on the Various ICT Facilities Use in Serial Unit.S /NUniversitiesICT FACILITIESTotalpercent PCCPSFaxCD-RCDWCDCDELANWIntOP 1FUTO0000000000000000 2MOUAUxxx00x00x00000535. 71 3UNN0x00000000000010 4UNIUYOxx000000000000214. 29 5UNICALxXx00000x00000428. 57 6UNIPORT 0x00000000000017. 14 7UNIBENxx000x0x00x00x642. 86 8UNILAGxx0xxx00000000535. 75 9UIxx000x00x0x0xx750. 00 10OAU0x00000000000017. 14 11UNAABx x00xx000x0xx750. 00 12Total7831151130302338 NOTE: PC= Personal Computers; C= Copier; P= Printer; S= Scanner; CD-R = CD-ROM; CDW= CD –Writer; D= Diskette; E= E- Mail; LAN=Local Area Network; Int= Internet; OP= OPAC.X= ICT Used; 0 = ICT Not Used. Considering the percentage of the universities using each of the ICT facilities, the result shows that majority of the university libraries (72. 73 percent) used photocopier for its serials functions. This was followed by 63. 64 percent and 45. 45 percent which used personal computers and CD-ROM respectively. Printers, diskettes, LAN and OPAC were each used by (27. 27 percent). The Internet (18. 18 percent); and scanner, fax machine, CD writer and CD changer (9. 09 percent) had very low use in the serials units studied.None of the libraries was using E-Mail and WAN facilities in the serials unit for serials functions. Considering the 50 percent Bench mark, only personal computers and photocopiers were the ICT facilities being used by the Serials units of the studied universities libraries? ICT Facilities Used in Serials Unit as a Determinant of Its Use for Serials Operations A cross-tabulation of the result was made to show the percentage serials functions, serials public services and ICT facilities used in various serials units of the individual universities.The result is presented in Table 4. It shows that although OAU had all its serials functions (100 percent) performed with ICT facilities and 71. 43 percent of its serials public services performed with ICT; it had very low use of ICT facilities (7. 14 percent) in its Serials unit. FUTO which also had 50 percent and 57. 14 percent of its serials functions and serials public services performed with ICT respectively had no single ICT facilities in its serials unit. There was also low indication of ICT facilities use in the Serials units of UNILAG (35. 71 percent); MOUAU (35. 1 percent) and UNICAL (28, 57 percent) despite their average use for serials functions and serials public services. UNN and UNIPORT though do not perform serials functions or public services with ICT had indication of ICT facilities in its serials unit (7. 14 percent). UNIUYO had low ICT facilities use in the Serials unit as well as low use for functions and serials public services. The result implied that the serial functions and serials public services in the Serials units performed with ICT in some cases were not determined by the ICT facilities available in the Serials units of the respective university libraries.Table 4: Cross Tabulation of percent Serials Functions, Serials Public Services performed with ICT and ICT facilities Used in Serials Units of Southern Nigerian Federal University Libraries S/NUniversitiesPercent Serials Functions With ICTPercent Serials Public Services with ICTPercent ICT Facilities Used in Serials Unit 1FUTO5057. 140 2MOUAU5085. 7135. 71 3UNN000 4UNIUYO2514. 2914. 29 5UNICAL5057. 1428. 57 6UNIPORT 007. 14 7UNIBEN5028. 5742. 86 8UNILAG5057. 1435. 71 9UI7571. 4350. 00 10OAU10071. 437. 14 11UNAAB7585. 7150. 00 Discussion of FindingsFrom the findings, it is apparent th at there is a general low use of ICT facilities for serials functions except in the areas of serials public services and preservation (Table 1). This is related to the findings of Siddique (1997) in his work in Saudi Arabia, where only two of seven libraries studied applied ICT in serials control. The low use of ICT facilities for acquisition and processing may be attributed to the non-availability of serials software which will enable the use of ICT for the very complex acquisition and processing activities involved in serials functions.An explanation for this could be found in the works of Anunobi and Benard (2007) where many of the libraries studied do not have library software and those with such were yet to activate their serials module. However, that some libraries like OAU perform all its serials functions with ICT and others like UNN and UNIPORT are not performing any of its functions with ICT shows that there is a great disparity among these libraries with respect to the ap plication of ICT facilities for serials functions especially among the geopolitical zones.The disparity could be attributed to the disposition of these libraries to the major hindrances to ICT application in serials functions. This is also related to the findings of Islam and Islam (2007) that there is disparity in the use of computers and its accessories in library services in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the increased use of ICT facilities for serials public services reflected in many of these libraries (Table 2); for serials and articles titles access buttresses the fact that these university libraries are providing serials public services with ICT facilities.It also implies that many of them have their automated serials holdings being domicile in personal computers or that they possess the Union List of Serials on CD-ROM which users can access. This is of the same standing with the findings of Tseng et al (1990) who noted in his study that 55 percent of the libraries studied have th eir serials holdings automated. There is also the possibility that some major abstracts like Chemical, Biological, LISA, and AJOL abstracts may be available in these libraries on CD-Rom or Online.Where only the abstract is available, or there is absence of digital library, full text retrieval may not be possible; hence the low university representation on retrieval of full text serials. The responses on ICT facilities use in serials operations still confirms that the libraries studied use little or no ICT facilities in serials functions. This confirmation was derived from the below bench mark for all the facilities outside personal computers and photocopiers (Table 3). The close to 50 percent average score for CD-ROM implies that its use for serials function is becoming prominent.Such is expected since some libraries like MOUAU and UNAAB have the Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL) therefore are providing access to serials and article titles using CD-ROM facilities. Ag ain, since the use of Internet and OPAC has low response, there is the tendency that the serials public services and preservation functions are provided with CD-ROM in these libraries. The use of scanner and fax machine by only one library suggests that the studied libraries were yet to digitize their serials. In addition to that they could be turning to new technology i. e. he Internet in place of fax. The information presented on the cross-tabulation of percentage serials functions, serials public services and ICT facilities used in serials functions (Table 4) has made series of suggestions. Though some of the University libraries performed serials functions and public services with ICT facilities, they had little or no ICT facilities in their serials units. This is similar to the finding of Anunobi and Nwakwuo (2008 ) where majority of the university libraries in Eastern Nigeria have not embraced the use of ICT for its operations serials inclusive.This could mean that such functi ons and services were performed in other units or a designated unit outside the serials units. Observation showed that in most of these libraries that provided serials functions and public services with ICT facilities but with little or no ICT facilities in their serials units have distinct ICT, IT, Systems or Computer centres from which all these functions were performed. The implication of these findings is that the use of ICT facilities for serials functions is gradually disintegrating the compartmentalisation of serials units and other units of the university library.Hence it is likely that in not too long a time, serials functions and public services with the application of ICT facilities could be performed from units outside the serials unit in most of the libraries in southern Nigeria. The low positive response on the application of the Internet shows that the studied libraries were not utilizing the free electronic serials available on the Internet to augment the limited ser ials subscription made by some of these libraries. These libraries also deny users the opportunity of using some fee-based serials that are offered freely to developing countries like Nigeria.Such serials include Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA); Health International Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI); Online Access to Research in the Environment (OARE), EBSCOhost, Commonwealth University Documents Online (CUDOS), CAB Abstract etc. If the scenario is not changed, serials users will bypass the library for alternative information providers, thus confirming the conception of Morino (1998) that if libraries do not rise up to the challenges of the technological changes, they will never again be in control of information. Summary and ConclusionThe following deductions and conclusive evidences are made from the findings of this research: †¢Serials functions in the Southern Nigeria federal university libraries are still predominately manually performe d with ICT application being more prominent in the public services and preservation functions. †¢Public services activities involving the use of ICT facilities are mainly access to and retrieval of serials and articles titles. †¢Though a few of the libraries use Internet, LAN and OPAC, photocopiers, personal computer, and CD-ROM are the most commonly used ICT facilities in the serials unit. The low availability and use of ICT facilities in serials units of the university libraries is not a determinant of its use for serials operations. Hence many serials operations are performed with ICT facilities outside the serials units. It is recommended that university libraries should take a firm decision whether to equip serials unit with ICT facilities and affect all serials operations in the unit or have a systems unit where ICT related operations are carried out including serials. University libraries should also solicit aid from donor agencies in the area of ICT hardware and so ftware for serials functions ReferencesAgbaje, A. A. (2002). Great expectations: Serials management and information technology. In Madu E. C. , & Dirisu, M. B. (Eds. ). Information science and technology for library schools in Africa (pp. 25-36). Ibadan: EVI-Coleman. Aina, L. O. (2003). Strengthening information provision in Nigerian university libraries: The digital option. Paper presented at the 41st Annual National Conference & AGM of the Nigerian Library Association at Tarker Foundation, Markurdi, 7-12 September. Aina, L. O. (2004). Coping with the challenges of library and information delivery services: The need for institutionalized professional development.Nigerian Library Association Conference Proceedings, p. 4 Ajayi G. O. (2005). E-government in Nigeria's e-strategy. Paper presented at 5th Annual African Computing and Telecommunications Submit, Abuja, Nigeria. Akinyotu, A. (1977). Library automation: A state of the art review. Paper presented at the workshop on library aut omation in Nigeria held at the Conference centre, University of Ibadan 6-10 March. Ani, O. E. , Esin, J. E. , & Edem, N. (2005). Adoption of information and Communication Technology (ICT) in academic libraries: A strategy for library networking in Nigeria.The Electronic Library 23 (6): 701-708. Anunobi, C. , & Benard, I. (2007). Availability and use of ICT resources in Imo State academic library services. Coal City Libraries 5&6: 34-41. Anunobi, C. V. , & Nwakwuo, O. (2008). The state of ICT in southeastern Nigeria. Samaru Journal of Information studies 8 (1): 35-43 Alabi, G. A. (1993). Information technology: Whither Nigerian libraries and documentation centres. Leading Libraries & Information Centres 1 (2): 27-35. American Library Association (1983). The ALA glossary of library and information science. Chicago: ALA. Ballentyne P. (2003).Information management trends. INASP Newsletter 23: 5-6. Chesenga, J. (2004). ICT in libraries: An overview and general introduction to ICT in lib raries in Africa. INASP ICT Workshop, Kopanong Hotel & Conference centre, Johannesburg S. Africa 21st -23rd July. ( www. INASP. info/ISP/ICT-workshop2004 ) Islam, S. , & Islam, N. (2007). Use of ICT in libraries: An empirical study of selected libraries in Bangladesh. Library Philosophy and Practice. Available: http://unllib. unl. edu/LPP/shariful. htm Mullis, A. (1992). Serials. In. Michael, P. (Ed. ), Non-standard collection management (pp. 3-115). Aldershot, England: Ashgate. Oketunji, I. (2001). Computer application to libraries. Paper presented at the 39th Annual National Conference and AGM of the Nigerian Library Association at the Imo Concord Hotel Owerri, June 17-22. Oketunji, I. (2001). Libraries and the Internet connectivity: What benefits? In Lasis J. , Odunsanya,O. K. , Sonaike, S. E. A. , & Osinulu L. F. (Eds. ), Automation of cataloguing practices in Nigerian libraries (pp. 32-40), Ijebu-Ode: Nigerian Library Association, Cataloguing, Classification and Indexing Sectio n. Oni, F. A. (2004).Enhancing the performance of library operations through appropriate IT. In Madu E. C. (Ed. ), Technology for information management & services: Modern libraries & information centers in developing countries (pp. 95-109). Ibadan: Evi-Coleman. Siddiqui, M. A. (1997). The use of information technology in academic libraries in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 29 (4): 195-203. Szilvassy, J. (Ed. ) (1996). Basic serials management handbook. IFLA Publications 77. Munchen: K. G. Saur. Tseng, S. C. , Arcand, J. C. , Brugger, J. M, Finn, M, Olson, A. J. , & Somers, S. (1990).Serials standards work: The next frontier. Library Resources & Technical Services 34 (2): 139-157. Womboh, B. S. H. , & Abba, T. (2008). The state of information and communication technology (ICT) in Nigerian university libraries: The experience of Ibrahim Babangida Library, Federal University of Technology, Yola. Library Philosophy and Practice. Available: http://unllib. unl. edu/LPP/womboh. htm ? Explanation and opinion From the article above, we know that there is a general low use of ICT facilities for serials functions except in the areas of serials public services and preservation (table 1) in libraries.Serials functions in the Southern Nigeria federal university libraries are still predominately manually performed with ICT application being more prominent in the public services and preservation functions. This is because in Nigeria, many of the libraries studied do not have library software due to the expensive price of the software. However, it is shown that 55% of the libraries have an automated system regarding the serials storage system. It also implies that many of them have their automated serials holdings being domicile in personal computers or that they possess the List of Serials on CD-ROM which users can access.Furthermore, the use of Internet has low response,so there is the tendency that the users are provided with CD-ROM in these libraries. This means that the use of CD-ROM is more dominant than internet in Nigeria. The low positive response on the application of the Internet in libraries shows that the studied libraries were not utilizing the free electronic serials available on the Internet to replace the limited serials subscription made by some of these libraries. This maybe because of the not skilled people in Nigeria. In my opinion, the libraries in Nigeria should optimize the use of ICT.This can be done by having seminars about how to use the internet (how to browse for information, download, save files, etc). Even though the libraries have been changing so much that it changed from paperwork-based into ICT-based system. Though a few of the libraries use Internet, photocopiers, personal computer, and CD-ROM are the most commonly used ICT facilities in the serials unit. This is because the Nigerian people don’t know the technology of internet yet and they are still a developing country. ? Impac t to society: It is clear that by using ICT in libraries, there will be some impact to the society.For example it will change the way of borrowing books, the way of storing data of customers, etc that will be discussed below. Advantages: 1. It will be faster to store information of customers. By using ICT, the process of storing customers’ data will be faster because it only needs us to type which is significanly faster rather than to write 2. The data that is stored will also be more secure by using ICT. When the data is stored using computer, the risk of lost data will be very low compared to when using written forms of customers’ data. This is explained because the risk of losing paperwork is a lot more compared to the risk in computer. . It will be easier to modify / change the data stored. When using computer, we can modify data very easily. This will help the librarians greatly so their job will be much easier too. They don’t need to re-write all the custo mers information again like if they are using paperwork. 4. The process of borrowing books will be much faster and in an efficient way. By using ICT, we can just scan the book barcode when a customer wanted to borrow a particular book. This will be faster since they only need to scan (not to write the description of the book). 5. We can know when a particular customer haven’t return the books that they borrowed.This will reduce the risk of losing books in the library and also will help customer to be discipline to return the books that they borrowed on time. When using the old type of storing data, the librarians will be lazy to check because there are so much data that they have to search. However, they can filter data using ICT and they will work with more tenacity. 6. The society will have more access to information that is available by using the internet. Customers can use the computers that are provided in the library and search for information that maybe not available i n the library’s books.This will improve the knowledge of society and this will lead to a better society with up-to-date information. 7. It will be easier for the society to print, send e-mail, do research etc by using the computers provided in the library. Thus enabling them to score high in their report and moreover giving them a future career prospect. Disadvantages: 1. There will be unemployment for some librarians since the library doesn’t need a lot of librarians anymore. The librarians whose old job were to check / write data in paper will be no longer needed since the ICT will only need fewer librarians to do the same amount of work. . In Nigeria, many people doesn’t seem to understand ICT well, so there will be problems when they are using the ICT system. For example, internet service and computers. They won’t be that interested in using the computer because they don’t know how to use it. So, if they force themself to use computer, there wi ll be probability that they will damage the computers’ hardwares, or the computers will be abandoned with no users using them. 3. The cost of implementing the ICT system is not cheap. It usually requires a lot of money that the university have to provide.This will have impact on other university facilities. Because of the implementation of ICT, other facilities will have only a low budget and this can be bad for the university students. From the list of advantages and disadvantages before, we all know that the ICT system in library have a significant impact to the society. For me, even though it has some disadvantages, there are a lot more advantages that ICT system offers. It will also modernize the local people by providing more and more information from abroad, not only from the books. Thus, ICT system is very important to the better qualified of individuals.

Health Care Providers Essay

Health Care Providers Respiratory therapists care for people of all ages with restricted breathing problems such as emphysema, chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma. Respiratory therapists may work in hospitals, long term care facilities, physicians’ offices, and home health services. Respiratory therapists must have an associate’s degree, although most have a both an associates and bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. They are licensed in all states except Alaska (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012). Licensure requires passing a state certification or professional examination. Respiratory therapists teach patients how to use inhalers and aerosol machines. They provide counseling on smoking cessation. Also set-up, connects, and monitors ventilators for patients that cannot breathe on their own. Respiratory therapists also perform chest physiotherapy on cystic fibrosis patients to remove mucus from their lungs to make it easier for them to breathe. They also perform dia gnostic testing such as Pulmonary Function Testing and Methocholine Challenge Testing. The Pulmonary Function Tests provides physicians information on the patient’s lung capacity and breathing ability to assist them in prescribing the appropriate medication. The Methocholine Challenge Test determines if the patient has reversible asthma disease. The Respiratory therapist also performs a test called polysomnogram, a test to determine if a person has sleep apnea (breathing pauses during sleep). The annual median pay for Respiratory therapists as of May 2010 is $54, 280 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012). Employment of Respiratory therapists is expected to grow 28% from 2010 to 20120 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012) because of the rise in the in the number of elderly with increased incident of emphysema, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases that restrict lung function or cause permanent damage. Also affecting the increase in the need for respiratory therapists is the continued use of all forms of smoking, air pollution and respiratory emergencies. A podiatrist is commonly known as a foot doctor, but is really a doctor of podiatric medicine (DPM). Podiatrists treat and diagnosis conditions of the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists must complete four years of training in a podiatric medical school, after earning a bachelor’s degree and three years of residency training in a hospital setting. Podiatrists must be licensed in every state. To become licensed they have to pay a fee and pass  a state exam. Podiatrists can choose to specialize in various fields such as pediatrics, wound care, surgery, sports medicine, or diabetic care. Podiatrists can earn board certification by taking an exam after advanced training and clinical experience. The American Board of Podiatric Medicine and the American Board of Podiatric Surgery are the two certifying boards. Podiatrists traditionally work in private offices either alone or with partners, hospitals, and long-term care. The median annual salary for a podiatrist as of 2010 was $118,030 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012). The job outlook for podiatrist looks very good in the future, partly due to the limited number of podiatric medical schools and the amount of older podiatrists retiring. Education for chiropractors is one of the stringent of today’s healthcare providers. The chiropractor uses spinal manipulation to relieve the symptoms of low back pain, neck pain, and headaches. Chiropractors believe your body has a natural way of healing itself, the body’s structure, nerves, bones, muscles, and joints are all enter-related, and chiropractic treatment helps to balance your body and promote self-healing. When a person decides to enter chiropractor school he must have already completed fours of pre-medical undergraduate education. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, four to five years of intense professional study is standard. Due to the hands on approach to chiropractic medicine most of the training is done in the clinical training. Because of their extensive training, chiropractors are able to diagnose health problems and refer patients to other healthcare providers as needed. Doctors of chiropractic are required to pass a national exam to become state licensed prior to practicing on their own. Chiropractors work in a variety of settings, hospitals, private practices, and schools. The median annual salary for a chiropractor varies depending on the location and setting, ranging from $ 31,120 to $142, 000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2013). Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Respiratory Therapists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratorytherapists.htm http://www.apma.org/learn/content.cfm?ItemNumber=992&navItemNumber=558 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Podiatrists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/podiatrists.htm http://www.acatoday.org/level3_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61&T3ID=151 http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291011.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chiropractic http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/respiratory-therapists