Introduction

The library is obviously the source of power of knowledge. In higher education and research, the use of library is a matter of concerns to students, teachers, and researchers. The exponential growth of literature often creates problems for them to access appropriate literature and their use.

The problem has, however, considerably been resolved with the help of information and communication technology (ICT). The use of information technology for management and handling of information and data has grown significantly even in many least-developed countries, despite their economic constraints.

The use of information technology in libraries has been profoundly affecting all aspects of information acquisition, storage, and transfer. Its magnificent development has dramatically changed the mode of library operations and information services; we have now started to speak of a new type of information source, ‘knowledge base’.

Computer-based communications have not only widened the access to information and helped establish linkages with the professional colleagues and friends elsewhere, it has extensively facilitated message transmission, transfer and exchange of files and text, uploading/downloading, database access, interactive services, provision of bulletin boards and newsletters, job submission and execution, teleconferencing, teleordering, inter-library loans, creating user profiles, consolidation and repackaging of information for specific needs, dissemination of information, and so on.

Hundreds of thousands of monographic materials, journals, learning resources, databases, etc. are now available in electronic formats, and these materials can be accessed from the remote corner of a country, thereby increasing the use of information and literature and the efficiency of information services. Users are now more independent than before; they can access to these electronic formats from their home computers and search databases according to their needs.

Use of information/knowledge and literature

Library patrons need information, use literature and knowledge, and again apply that knowledge to generate new knowledge and information; this happens in a cyclic way (Appendix A). They need to use literature to keep themselves informed, to enhance their knowledge, to meet specific need(s), to educate themselves, to teach and for learning, practical application, research, and dissemination.

Sources of information/knowledge

Information and knowledge can be obtained from own self, friends, peers or teachers, print materials, audiovisuals materials, databases, and the Internet.

Library as an information resources centre

Library identifies, acquires, organizes, preserves, and disseminates information resources either at the initiatives of the library staff or at the request of library patrons.

User categories in higher education, need of varieties of information resources, and determination of needs

Students, teachers, researchers, information professionals, and employees are the user categories in higher educational or academic institutions. Their needs vary, their information or literature-seeking behaviour also varies, and they need to be cared accordingly. Requirement of an individual needs to be individually addressed in an efficient way. Information resources also need to be accessed by them depending on their requirements

Digital information system
Computer-based communications, efficient source of information resources, information and communication technology, information resources centre, information-seeker, International Association of Universities, National Academic Advising Association, ROLE OF DIGITAL LIBRARIES, web-based information resources