Introduction
Information communication technology (ICT) enormously affects each field of the society like horticulture, wellbeing, schooling, business, enterprises, etc. Libraries are not exemption for these high-speed changes occur in the society. ICT has changed the general working of the libraries. To give important information inside limited capacity to focus time it becomes fundamental for libraries to embrace an ICT-based information framework and ICT foundation. In early days when manual library framework was in presence, they dealt with numerous issues because of reliably developing size of information sources and absence of extra infrastructural facility, this has constrained libraries to take on the ICT-based library systems to defeat these troubles.1
Libraries were once just thought of as book storage facilities, and librarians were only thought of as the books' caretakers. Technology's development has altered the library landscape. The primary driver of the transformation in the field of library and information services is the quick advancement of technology. By replacing conventional information sources with electronic resources, online databases, and online information storage & retrieval, etc., it has revolutionised how services are delivered. In libraries, information is processed, stored, retrieved, and disseminated via computers. Libraries nowadays are not evaluated based on their quantitative resources. If correctly handled, these substantial improvements may be exploited to quickly and effectively deliver the appropriate information to the appropriate user at the appropriate time.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
ICT proficiency has become fundamental for the library professionals to take on the arising mechanical changes and full the digital information need of the users/stakeholders inside limited capacity to focus time. The current study aims to assess the current ICT literacy among library professionals and determines the need for training and orientation in ICT-based resources and services for library.
ICT Benefits for Libraries
Information and communication technology global is probably experiencing a huge effect on libraries operations. In various areas and facets of our society, ICTSs are important and practical tools for sustainable development. ICTs offer a way of achieving developmental objectives in a variety of fields, including business, agriculture, health, and education. Olise (2010) asserts that the adoption of ICTs in education has resulted in the computerization of conventional materials including books, journals, newspapers, and other library resources for information. Additionally, because of this, there is now a virtual library. With the use of ICT, educational scholars may easily access current literature resources. ICTs also promote cross-locational collaboration among scholars. Technology advancements and advances have permitted advancements with the creation of a library and information science program. The LIS profession has difficulties as a result of numerous causes, despite the UGC's efforts in designing the modular curriculum (2001) and requiring all educational institutions to adapt their curricula to include additional Technology elements. inadequate equipment for practical ICT-focused instruction. The issues that library science institutions deal with include a lack of ICT educated personnel, a lack of consistency in course content, an abundance of programs and students, a need of certification, a shortage of financing sources, and others.8
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Assuming librarians are to utilize the new technology, they should have IT information and ICT expertise as well. These key regions influence all staff working in libraries as key or functional administrators, specialized help or specialist co-ops. The extent of the review envelops the ICT abilities of LIS professionals working in designing universities of Maharashtra. Anyway, the review has following constraints.
The study is restricted to Maharashtra state as it were.
The study incorporates just the designing colleges and universities (Government, Aided and Private) of Maharashtra, includes Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and 4 University Libraries in Maharashtra: (1) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad (2) Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded (3) Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University Jalgaon (4) Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amaravati (5) Shivaji University, Kolhapur
The concentrate on covers just LIS professionals and the Semi-Professionals yet no other class of staff of these designing colleges or universities.
The study doesn't cover Industrial libraries and libraries that don't give training to students prompting granting of degrees.
The current review is planned to cover every one of the administrators (expert and amateur) working in the libraries of designing colleges and universities of Maharashtra State. The review will for the most part zero in on the Information Communication 16 Technology abilities of all the library professionals working in the libraries of the colleges and universities that go under the territory of Maharashtra.
Professional staffs are those having proficient capabilities like, either a single man's or a graduate degree in Library and Information Science. They release proficient obligations like in general organization of the library capacities, securing of reports, specialized handling, reference administration, and so on Semi-professional staffs are those having a fundamental Degree or Diploma or a Certificate course in Library and Information Science and who release amateur obligations like getting to of archives, documenting of indexes passages, upkeep of stacks, IT wing and occupied with making on the web list sections.8, 9, 10
Objectives of the Present Work
To evaluate the expertise and intent of the online ICT resources of the LIS experts.
To find out how LIS professionals acquire ICT skills and constraints when learning this expertise.
To know why librarian pursuing work in academia and research libraries needs knowledge of the basic ICT skills.
To identify factors influencing library professionals' attitudes
To know the ICT tools accessible and used in various libraries and university libraries systems
Review of Literature
The audit of writing in this space manages ICT abilities and skills of LIS professionals from the period 2007 to 2018. There are many investigations managed the review, scarcely any significant examinations are: Fourie (2004) thought that "they are essential for a worldwide world that is progressively formed by electronic organizations and information technology.
Dhanavandan and Murugan, (2016) delivered the article "The use ICT Experienced by the Difficulties in the Selected Tirunelveli Area Library Professionals." Since everything nowadays is connected to the web presently, we are in a digital context. ICT-based technologies and digital environment-required abilities are needed for library personnel. In this article, it was said that 82.81 percent of library professionals face challenges while using ICT.
Bansode and Viswe, (2017) in their review designate "that the ICT proficiency level of the library professionals working in college libraries in Maharashtra is acceptable. Larger part of library professionals has procured the fundamental ICT proficiency abilities which are needed to deal with everyday library activities, yet not many library professionals need to improve their proficiency level in the space of open source library computerization software, digital library software, and institutional storehouse software, and so on" Another concentrate by Kumar (2013) show that "LIS professionals serving in different designing instructive establishments of the Rayalaseema Region of Andhra Pradesh are generally PC proficient and have critical essential ICT abilities to deal with the library, still there is sufficient degree to create their inventive ICT abilities and to execute these abilities in the library to give new ICT-based library administrations."
Mathew, (2011) assessed how ICT affected library professionals' demands for professional growth and education in Kerala universities. The experts working in libraries at the seven institutions in Kerala were included in this study. The researcher looked at the infrastructure of university libraries in Kerala today, the professional growth of librarians, their knowledge of and proficiency with ICT, as well as consequences for the educational requirements of librarians. The survey was only conducted on professionals who worked as regular employees at the departmental and central libraries on the main campus of the Institutions. It was noted that the majority of library professionals were upbeat about the use of ICT-based services in libraries.
Kavulya, (2007) evaluated the state of Kenya's LIS training institutions' training resources and curriculum, as well as the availability of jobs for LIS experts. According to the present job market and performance standards, the study tried to pinpoint the most important IT skills and training areas for LIS specialists. The analysis found that the country's LIS boot camps did not adequately satisfy the demands of the labour market at the time. They lacked Digital content in the curriculum, were related to the professional world, and lacked teaching resources at LIS training centres.
Raju, (2014) in his review underscores that "bookkeeper should have information on digitization, metadata creation, and the board, conservation of digital information and PC abilities, which are important to work in internet-based information conditions". Seema and Pillai (2014) evaluated the "level of ICT expertise among library professionals in Kerala University Library framework. The investigation uncovered that the library professionals in Kerala University library have moderately normal level ability in different ICT related undertakings in libraries. Every one of the professionals communicated an inspirational perspective toward the application of ICT in libraries."
Batool, (2010) An investigation on the technical proficiency of librarians at Punjab University in India found that while all of them were proficient in word processing, they lacked hardware knowledge and were only able to use simple capabilities of the Internet. The researchers discovered that a shortage of training workshops, training programmes, and curriculum richness were the three main barriers to learning technology.
Data collection method
To satisfy the examination goals of this review, the analyst has grouped the information into essential just as optional information and organized this experimentally into essential and auxiliary wellsprings of the information assortment.11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Data Analysis Plan
The analyst has broken down the gathered information utilizing orderly and logical devices like Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft dominate with tables and charts. Information examination was handled through Microsoft dominate to keep up with precision and oversee significant and valuable measures.
Table 1
Data received from library professionals
|
Questionnaire Circulated |
No of Libraries |
% |
|
Received |
100 |
83 |
|
Non-Received |
25 |
17 |
|
Total |
125 |
100 |
Table 2
Library professionals designation
|
Library Personnel |
No of Libraries |
% |
|
Librarian/Asst. Librarian |
119 |
95 |
|
Library In-charge |
06 |
05 |
|
Total |
125 |
100 |
Table 3
Mobile internet access for various purposes
Table 4
Supplementary budget for ICT infrastructure
|
Budget for ICT Infrastructure |
No of Libraries |
% |
|
Yes |
21 |
17 |
|
No |
104 |
83 |
|
Total |
125 |
100 |
Table 5
Information available on website about the library
|
Information Available on Website |
No of Libraries |
% |
|
General Information |
30 |
38 |
|
Library Facilities & Services |
50 |
38 |
|
Rules & Regulation |
20 |
28 |
|
Link to Online Resource |
20 |
13 |
Table 6
Advantages of using various ICT tools in library
In this examination study, the scientist has followed a complete 125 polls to the library professionals of Collages in Aurangabad District and subsidiary to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. The above table and diagram show that 100 (83%) respondents answered to the poll and the excess 25 (17%) respondents didn't answer and returned the survey to the analyst.16
Out of 125 Collages, 119 (95%) universities have selected a Librarian in the Colleges library, though 06 (05%) Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Nanded District have not designated a Librarian.
Aside from library yearly budget, very few libraries i.e., 21 (17%) have the supplementary yearly budget for implementing ICT infrastructure in college libraries; remaining 104 (83%) libraries don't have the arrangement of ICT infrastructure budget independently.
Following the observation of the above table and chart, it is very likely that 30 (38%) library professionals have indicated that data, particularly regarding library services and facilities, is available through the website, while 50 (38%) library professionals have indicated that data, more generally, has been maintained on the website. The website has information on library rules and regulations, among other things, according to 20 (28%) library professionals. The website also has information about how to connect to online resources, according to the remaining 20 (13%) library professionals. This is a really good opportunity to distribute information and internet resources across college libraries.
The above table and diagram show that the advantages mentioned by library professionals in utilizing ICT devices in the library. 111 (74%) library professionals have stated the fundamental advantage is fast access of current data while utilizing ICT devices, followed by 107 (72%) library professionals have stated that it has reduced responsibility of library staff by utilizing ICT instruments, 99 (4.4.%) library professionals have stated that ICT devices have improved library works and service qualities, 84 (54.%) library professionals shave stated that ICT devices have increased work fulfillment, 78 (52%) library professionals have stated that ICT apparatuses are helpful in refreshing subject knowledge, remaining 4.0 (40%) library professionals utilizing ICT devices to enhance knowledge and expertise.
Conclusion
The current ICT training and guidance provided by Maharashtra's academic library falls short of what is necessary to make library personnel proficient in ICT. To increase their level of ICT education, library professionals should attend as many workshops, seminars, conferences, and events educating computer programmers as they can. Library professionals must take a variety of short-term PC courses to advance their education and collect skills for carrying out ICT-related tasks more competently and successfully. College library experts must be aware of the limitations of ICT in libraries and continually work to increase the level of ICT education among academic librarians by arranging for in-house ICT training and direction from programmers, studios, and other organisations, regularly occurring conferences and symposia to improve library professionals' ICT competency and promote the effective use of ICT-based resources, technologies, and services.
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