The Fate of Intermediary Library Staff in the Era of ICTs in Nigerian Context

Abstract

The paper explained how the traditional or analogue libraries have been transformed into a digital library with the advent of information and communication technologies (ICTs). The concept of ICT based on libraries were highlighted as electronic library, digital library, community library, library without walls, the library of the future e.t.c., ICT facilities available for the library and information centre were also provided such as computers, VSAT, online databases, websites, etc and the advantages of using them were highlighted such as provision of remote access information to users and access to unlimited information from different sources. Challenges of ICT in the library were also highlighted, such as lack of adequate trained manpower in the use of IT. The service provided by library and information centre with ICT was also provided such as remote enquiry services, interactive services, Catalogue on web, the services of the intermediates or paraprofessional staff may not be underdetermined, because they are also very important in the modern day library. They assists the professional staff in the library such as register users online, transform the physical form of catalogue into the online public access catalogue (OPAC), answering users queries online, charging and discharging and intermediary library staffs must acquire all the requisite skill through training and retraining for capacity building in the area of ICTS in the library.