The Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Transforming Library Operations and Management into Digital Knowledge Hubs

Abstract

The integration of ICT has expanded access to information, enabling libraries to serve their communities beyond their physical locations. The aim of this paper was to examine the role of information and communication technology in transforming library operations and management into digital knowledge hubs. It established the fact that there have been global best practices in ICT integration in library operations and management, such as seen at the New York Public Library's Digital Collection; the British Library's Online Catalogue, and the National Library of Australia's Trove, among others. It pointed out that Nigerian
government, through the National University Commission (NUC) and the Nigerian National Library have made efforts at integrating ICT into library operations and management with unsatisfactory result, so far. It also examined the benefits of ICT in library operations and management; the challenges in integrating ICTinto library operations and management, and finally, the future trends in ICT integration into library operations and management. The paper concluded that the future of ICT integration in libraries is bright, and libraries must be proactive in adopting new technologies to meet the changing needs of library users.