Uses and purpose of the information and communication technology and its impact on women library professionals in Bhopal

Introduction

In the twenty-first century, information has become the essential. ICT has had a significant impact on conventional academic libraries. Due to financial limitations in particular, they are left with no choice but to adapt to new developments. Networking of information centres is therefore necessary. The pooling and sharing of information resources and infrastructure is one of the library's main goals. In order to address shortcomings through automation and computerization, several libraries have reviewed their conventional approaches and services during this process. The use of computers in library operations eliminates or greatly reduces the need for labour and saves time, money, and resources. Additionally, it expedites information services and technological processing. ICT has become a tool for delivering top- notch services. Technology-based information services will be sustainable and improve library capabilities if their introduction and use are planned out methodically. In the current situation, access to the following is made possible by libraries and information centres on a global scale:

The academic libraries in India are setting themselves up as a platform for ICT-based information services on a corporate level. The methods and techniques of providing information have changed because to the internet. With the internet, the barrier of distance has been broken, benefiting both libraries and those looking for knowledge.

Review of Literature

In this study, Sun, Hao-Chang, and Chen, Kuan-nien (2010) demonstrate how the use of new information technology has increased librarians' responsibilities as educators and how this position has changed as a result of new technology. Collaboration with faculty members was discovered to be a crucial component of the most effective stories. One of the most significant responsibilities of librarians and information managers nowadays may be teaching students and staff how to use new ICT. India's transition to a knowledge-based economy has progressed, according to a 2009 report by Ghosh and Ghosh. The Indian government has shown that it is dedicated to creating the core building blocks of knowledge workers, a knowledge innovation system, and infrastructure for knowledge sharing.

Libraries are seen as important participants in developing a nation's knowledge economy (KE). The study's key findings include a description of government policies on ICT deployment and progress toward a KE as well as examples from the field of how ICT projects are affecting modern Indian society. There are suggestions offered and the barriers to KE in India are identified. In order to determine the impact of ICT on LIS and its significant changes and practises in the university library of CUSAT, Antherjanam and Sheeja (2008)1 conducted a study. The study's key findings were as follows: (a) Users are utilising the available ICT facilities extremely effectively. (a) Reference questions are answered more quickly than before thanks to telephone, email, fax, and other technologies. (c) SDI, CAS, and other tasks are completed quicker than before. (d) Books are issued and returned more quickly than in the past. (e) Using ICT, book selection and price comparison are both done quickly and effectively (f) The OPAC is used by around 90% of library patrons to find out where books are located.2

The study's primary goal was to look into and assess the information technology (IT) levels in Pakistani libraries. The status of computers and other widely used hardware, email, the internet, library software, automated user services expenditure on ICT, and online resources available in university libraries of Bhopaland in particular poor nations are also discussed in this article. Data collection techniques included questionnaires. In this study, it was discovered that the availability of IT infrastructure facilities was inadequate, with libraries in particular lacking access to computers, email, and the internet. It was discovered that libraries require the use of common library software programmes to fully automate. As a result, it was determined that there was extensive and comprehensive access to online information resources through the Higher Education Commission (HEC).3 The discovery can be used to assess the state of various ICT resources and applications. The data sets were a valuable and reliable source for making plans to upgrade libraries' ICT infrastructure, automate libraries, and close the gap between how different types of libraries use IT (Ramzan and Singh, 2008).4

Objective

The major objectives of the study are

Hypotheses

The ensuing theories were developed in accordance with the objectives.

Data Analysis

The opinions on ICT are related to three things: purpose, utility, and barriers. The combination of these three elements will improve ICT utilisation.5, 6, 7, 8, 9 The librarians and information specialists employed by higher education institutions in the Madurai Region of Tamil Nadu, India, received a well constructed questionnaire. The SPSS Software was used to gather and analyse their opinions.

Distribution of Questionnaire

Numerous higher education institutions exist in a variety of fields, including the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine, and other fields. Thirty questionnaires were given to professionals in the arts, sciences, and engineering as part of a pilot project.10, 11, 12 In a similar manner, 50 questionnaires were given to women professionals working in various fields, while 40 questions were given to women professionals working in medical facilities. In Table 1 , the responses from each domain are also displayed. The percentage of received and distributed items in each domain that was so calculated is displayed in the table.

Figure 1

Distribution of questionnaire

Figure 2

Distribution of questionnaire

100 of the 100 questionnaires that were distributed were returned, representing a response rate of 71.5%. Additionally, it can be shown that 75.69% of responses were from the arts and sciences, 90% from engineering and technology, 78.22% from medical institutions, and 80.21% from experts in other domains.13, 14

Figure 3

Detail of respondents' demographics

Figure 4

Detail of respondents' demographics

Conclusion

This study aimed to investigate how ICT was used by female librarians. The majority of the goals are accomplished via the outcomes. The objectives-based hypotheses that were so formed held true in this investigation. ICT has a significant impact on female library professionals. Good training programmes influence participants' views about ICT in a good way. Utilizing ICT on their own will boost a positive outlook on their profession. Utilizing ICT in the workplace will increase productivity. The increased collaboration between female professionals using ICT makes planning and preparation of work more effective. Because of how women professionals perceive ICT, the use of ICT tools to gather and share information has progressed slowly. Women in the field of library and information science erect a number of obstacles within themselves over time, particularly while using ICT and interacting with others. They consequently have a propensity to either become overly confrontational and close themselves off to other people's ideas or very submissive and accept everything that is said to them, which stifles innovation. One cannot be open to ideas and discourse or be productive until and unless their mindset is balanced.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.