LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN THE DIGITAL AGE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Chibuike Daraojimba (), Okeoma Onunka, Tochukwu Onunka, Akeeb Adepoju Fawole and Ife Jesuseun Adeleke
Additional contact information
Chibuike Daraojimba: University of Pretoria, South Africa
Okeoma Onunka: Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Technology Zaria Kaduna Nigeria
Tochukwu Onunka: Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission
Akeeb Adepoju Fawole: Eko City College of Management and Technology
Ife Jesuseun Adeleke: Department of Educational Foundation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa

Acta Informatica Malaysia (AIM), 2023, vol. 7, issue 2, 113-121

Abstract: In the heart of the information age, academic libraries stand at the forefront of a transformative juncture shaped by technological evolution and changing user needs. This paper comprehensively explores academic libraries’ opportunities and challenges in this dynamic digital era. Historically, libraries have served as repositories of human knowledge and wisdom. Today, they are reshaping themselves, not merely as static centers of information but as active facilitators of knowledge dissemination and creation. From harnessing the potential of DNA-encoded chemical libraries to accelerate drug discovery processes to fervently advocating for open access initiatives, academic libraries showcase their remarkable adaptability and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional information services. However, with every digital stride forward comes a set of intricate challenges. As the paper discusses, libraries grapple with implementing advanced technologies like Linked Data, striking an equilibrium between growing digital resources and invaluable print collections and steering through the maze of leadership complexities in an ever-evolving digital domain. Drawing from a series of illustrative case studies, the paper provides a nuanced understanding of how libraries, despite these challenges, have devised strategic solutions that address immediate concerns and chart a course for future evolution. As the narrative progresses, it sheds light on prescient strategies that libraries can employ to remain relevant and impactful in a future dense with technological advancements. These strategies underscore the pivotal role libraries will continue to play in supporting academic endeavors, fostering digital scholarship, and upholding the ideals of open and inclusive knowledge sharing. The paper concludes with a reflective synthesis, emphasizing the perennial importance of libraries. Regardless of the prevailing technological medium or the nature of challenges ahead, the fundamental ethos of libraries—to enlighten, empower, and engage communities—remains unchanged. This steadfast essence, combined with their resilience and innovation, ensures that libraries will persist as quintessential centers of academic excellence and communal growth.

Keywords: Academic libraries; digital evolution; open access; technological challenges; knowledge dissemination. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zib:zbnaim:v:7:y:2023:i:2:p:113-121

DOI: 10.26480/aim.02.2023.113.121

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