A virtual library facilities access to tools such as databases, electronic journals, alerting services, electronic reference and quality vetted e-resources. Building a virtual library entails processes such as digitalization, acquisition of resources and proper implementation of defined collection development policies. Virtual library services and digital resources are delivered over the internet. Therefore the enabling technologies deployed are web-based technologies.
However, various initiatives to setup a virtual library in Nigeria have suffered setbacks owing to some challenges as:
• Unavailability of the basic information infrastructure.
• Unstable/ Erratic power supply within the country.
• Lack of funds and high cot of deployment of VSATs especially to higher institutions.
• Poor information technology policy implementation.
• Lack of competent personal and
• Lack of understanding of what constitutes a virtual library.
The study thereafter suggested the way forward towards a successful implementation of a national virtual library in Nigeria. The ways are but not exclusive to provision of stable poor supply, provision of the basic information infrastructure and recruitment/engagement of high skilled professionals.
It is therefore expected that the National Virtual Library will soon be a reality especially with the February 2007 mandate transferring the project to the Nigeria National Library.
NAME: UKAH TOCHI .U
REG NO: MIM/EDUC/09791/2008-09
Saturday, 8 August 2009
THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF INFORMATION (SUMMARY)
The article seeks to measure the economic value of information. Informational values may vary relative to one’s profession but it is said to be an expression of impacts or how it used.
Scholarly attempts to measure the value of information were examined under three themes using the three primary meanings of the word ‘Value’ as given by American College Dictionary (1968). These themes are:
1. INFORMATION VALUE AS “USE”: Here the value of information denotes solely an expression of how useful a piece of information is to the recipient. Informational value is frequently expressed as a derivation from communicational utility which also takes into consideration availability of data within an organisation, its flow to members of that organisation as well as impacts of those data to the structural organisation of the firm.
However, the article flawed this theme considering inaccurate findings of informational use using mathematical formulas.
2. INFORMATION AS “TRAFFIC”: This theme tries to evaluate the material or monetary worth of information as in traffic or sales. Porat (Porat 1977) in his study in 1977 discovered that the portion of U.S national economy involved with information was large and rapidly growing taking up 46% of Gross National Product (GNP) and earning 53% of labour income. A recent survey also shows a constant increase of revenue recorded with the online database industry as well as increased rate of electronic dissemination of information.
3. INFORMATION VALUE AS “COMMODITY”: Here information is seen as a unique commodity that is not consumed in its use but could be exchanged as well as used many times. Exchange value and use value of a commodity (information) were distinguished with commodity acting as the unifying factor between the two.
Pricing was deduced as an acceptable measure of value and a reliable indicator of exchange value when taken over time.
The article was concluded by given preference to valuing information in its commodity form since market price serves as a good indicator or measure for value.
NAME: UKAH TOCHI. U
REG NOS: MIM/EDUC/09791/2008-2009
Scholarly attempts to measure the value of information were examined under three themes using the three primary meanings of the word ‘Value’ as given by American College Dictionary (1968). These themes are:
1. INFORMATION VALUE AS “USE”: Here the value of information denotes solely an expression of how useful a piece of information is to the recipient. Informational value is frequently expressed as a derivation from communicational utility which also takes into consideration availability of data within an organisation, its flow to members of that organisation as well as impacts of those data to the structural organisation of the firm.
However, the article flawed this theme considering inaccurate findings of informational use using mathematical formulas.
2. INFORMATION AS “TRAFFIC”: This theme tries to evaluate the material or monetary worth of information as in traffic or sales. Porat (Porat 1977) in his study in 1977 discovered that the portion of U.S national economy involved with information was large and rapidly growing taking up 46% of Gross National Product (GNP) and earning 53% of labour income. A recent survey also shows a constant increase of revenue recorded with the online database industry as well as increased rate of electronic dissemination of information.
3. INFORMATION VALUE AS “COMMODITY”: Here information is seen as a unique commodity that is not consumed in its use but could be exchanged as well as used many times. Exchange value and use value of a commodity (information) were distinguished with commodity acting as the unifying factor between the two.
Pricing was deduced as an acceptable measure of value and a reliable indicator of exchange value when taken over time.
The article was concluded by given preference to valuing information in its commodity form since market price serves as a good indicator or measure for value.
NAME: UKAH TOCHI. U
REG NOS: MIM/EDUC/09791/2008-2009
Monday, 3 August 2009
QUESTION: SUMARIZE ARTICLE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF VIRTUAL LIBRARY FOR HIGH INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA.
NAME: IDRIS ISAH GULU REG. NO. MIM/EDUC/11370/2008-09
LIBS 883: ONLINE INFORMATION INDUSTRIES
The paper highlights on how virtual library facilitates access to information resources as database, electronics, journals, alerting services, online references tools, and quality selected web resources that improve of teaching and research.
The paper differentiated between electronic libraries, digital library and virtual library as electronic library consist of electronic materials and services like video tapes and CD-ROM. While digital library consist f digital services and materials are stored, process and transferred via digital devices and network. The virtual
Library consists of both digital and electronic libraries existing virtually. And stress the important of virtual library in high institutions in Nigeria, which among them is improving quality of teaching and research through the provision of current e-book, journals and other resources, also enhance scholarship, research and lifelong learning through the establishment of access to shared global virtual archival collections.
The article in addition examines the process of building virtual libraries as the thus digitalization, acquisitions, and collection development
Digitalization involve the process of making non-digital materials in digital format and acquisition and collection development involves acquiring and securing ownership of electronic resources such as databases, e-books, and journal trough license. Subscribed electronic resources are stored on a remote server hosted by the vendor and made accessible to a target user, while digital collections of information resources involve selection and organization based on an explicit collection development policy that address need of particular community.
The paper finally, identifies the challenges of its implementation which includes misconceptions of what constitute virtual libraries, unavailability of he basic information infrastructures, poor policy implementation and lack of web technologies skill digital/systems librarians have been identifies.
And the way-forward was suggested in form of recommendation as thus; Improvement of infrastructures, web technological skills, access to resources and availability of fund was emphasized.
LIBS 883: ONLINE INFORMATION INDUSTRIES
The paper highlights on how virtual library facilitates access to information resources as database, electronics, journals, alerting services, online references tools, and quality selected web resources that improve of teaching and research.
The paper differentiated between electronic libraries, digital library and virtual library as electronic library consist of electronic materials and services like video tapes and CD-ROM. While digital library consist f digital services and materials are stored, process and transferred via digital devices and network. The virtual
Library consists of both digital and electronic libraries existing virtually. And stress the important of virtual library in high institutions in Nigeria, which among them is improving quality of teaching and research through the provision of current e-book, journals and other resources, also enhance scholarship, research and lifelong learning through the establishment of access to shared global virtual archival collections.
The article in addition examines the process of building virtual libraries as the thus digitalization, acquisitions, and collection development
Digitalization involve the process of making non-digital materials in digital format and acquisition and collection development involves acquiring and securing ownership of electronic resources such as databases, e-books, and journal trough license. Subscribed electronic resources are stored on a remote server hosted by the vendor and made accessible to a target user, while digital collections of information resources involve selection and organization based on an explicit collection development policy that address need of particular community.
The paper finally, identifies the challenges of its implementation which includes misconceptions of what constitute virtual libraries, unavailability of he basic information infrastructures, poor policy implementation and lack of web technologies skill digital/systems librarians have been identifies.
And the way-forward was suggested in form of recommendation as thus; Improvement of infrastructures, web technological skills, access to resources and availability of fund was emphasized.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Welcome 2008/2009 MIM Students
I welcome you to the 2008/2009 Session of the Masters in Information Management (MIM) Class.
This blog is setup for the Online Information Industries class. This will allow students of the class to exploit and have a practical experience of one of the web 2.0. We shall review two main articles available at http://www.sharondelight.net/publications.html
Gbaje E.S (2007). Implementing a National Virtual Library for Higher Institutions in Nigeria. LIBRES Library and Information Science Research Electronic Journal Volume 17, Issue 2, September
Gbaje E.S. (2007). Provision of Online Information Services in Nigerian Academic Libraries.Nigerian Libraries: Journal of Nigerian Library Association. Vol. 40. [PDF 56KB]
Ezra Shiloba Gbaje
Friday, 23 January 2009
CRITTIQUE
CRITTIQUE
If proficiency in the identification, selection and use of internet resources is a primary information literacy goal, then for the libraries to claim gateway to information they must be able to provide adequate instructional tutorials on how to access, use and evaluate the internet resources.
Their web page and home page design must suggest that they are dedicated to helping students achieve their desired goals through provision of navigation tools, use of clear and defined terms, drop-down menus and annotations.
Posted by Ophelia Ezetoha
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
If proficiency in the identification, selection and use of internet resources is a primary information literacy goal, then for the libraries to claim gateway to information they must be able to provide adequate instructional tutorials on how to access, use and evaluate the internet resources.
Their web page and home page design must suggest that they are dedicated to helping students achieve their desired goals through provision of navigation tools, use of clear and defined terms, drop-down menus and annotations.
Posted by Ophelia Ezetoha
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
The academic libraries as a gateway to internet
THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY AS A GATEWAY TO THE INTERNET: AN ANALYSIS OF THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF SEARCH ENGINE ACCESS FROM ACADEMIC LIBRARY HOME PAGES
Academic libraries had been regarded as gateways to information for the University communities; the undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and lecturers inclusive. In this regards, the library has a responsibility for information literacy instruction, selection, use and evaluation of multiple information resources including internet resources.
It is sad then to find out that most libraries do not provide these services. Their websites and homepages are not relevant to users’ needs thus bringing about search, frustration, waste of time and click lost. Recent studies have shown that students especially the undergraduates regard the internet as a primary source of information resource whether or not they are able to evaluate the information gotten thereby sacrificing quality for convenience. Some of these students are not even aware of the less easily accessible but qualitative “deep web”.
Some factors have hindered the profitable use of the internet; the inability to choose the right search engine, poor navigation pathway design, lack of guide and tutorials, use of library jargons, use of vague and non informative terms, lack of annotations and drop-down menu and links.
The challenges posed by the new information environment are great and libraries should show that they are able to meet these challenges in order to make internet searches a gainful exercise.
Submitted by EZETOHA OPHELIA N.
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
Academic libraries had been regarded as gateways to information for the University communities; the undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and lecturers inclusive. In this regards, the library has a responsibility for information literacy instruction, selection, use and evaluation of multiple information resources including internet resources.
It is sad then to find out that most libraries do not provide these services. Their websites and homepages are not relevant to users’ needs thus bringing about search, frustration, waste of time and click lost. Recent studies have shown that students especially the undergraduates regard the internet as a primary source of information resource whether or not they are able to evaluate the information gotten thereby sacrificing quality for convenience. Some of these students are not even aware of the less easily accessible but qualitative “deep web”.
Some factors have hindered the profitable use of the internet; the inability to choose the right search engine, poor navigation pathway design, lack of guide and tutorials, use of library jargons, use of vague and non informative terms, lack of annotations and drop-down menu and links.
The challenges posed by the new information environment are great and libraries should show that they are able to meet these challenges in order to make internet searches a gainful exercise.
Submitted by EZETOHA OPHELIA N.
MIM/EDUC/19113/2007-2008
Saturday, 4 October 2008
free, feebased and value-added online services
the free websites are not really free as a searcher has to pay by cash and time.Online services are still being threathened by so many setbacks.Among are erratic power, lack of IT facilities, low-level info literacy, poverty and Govt unpatriotic attitude.The way forward is that Govt must provide free online services thru the public and academic libraries.
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