Embracing Digital Libraries in Kenya

  

Date Posted: 11/6/2013 12:50:53 PM

Posted By: wishstar  Membership Level: Gold  Total Points: 7507

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Technology is developing by the day. This even made our current government to call itself a digital one. The fact that technology is the future, embracing it is done at different paces in different regions. Not only in the world but disparities are also seen locally in our country.

To date, we still have people who don't even know how to turn on a computer! This mostly in rural areas but to some extent also in some parts in the urban areas. This can however change. Institutions, especially those of higher learning should be at the forefront in embracing technology. One area that can really go a big step in improving our view of the importance of technology in day to day life is the access of information.

Information can be accessed in many places but the number one most notably important place that this can be done at is the library. Two major types of Libraries found in the country are institutional and national libraries. The latter tries to provide uniform resources across all its branches and they have done a good job to equip the libraries with computers and the internet. The former varies from institution to institution with some being well equipped while others still lagging behind - in the stone age era if we may say! The level to which institutional libraries are equipped varies depending on whether the institution is a primary school, high school or higher learning institution, with higher learning institutions expected to be the most equipped.

On the embracing of digital libraries, am going to dwell much on these higher institutions of learning. As expected, computers have taken control of almost all sectors of life; education not being left behind. Students view the library as a source of information but is

it up to date? In some institutions, they still rely on the last century books, mostly, hence little or no trending information got. This can be a thing of the past if only we embrace digital libraries. This is because it is easier to update digital libraries as opposed to the conventional ones.

Apart from this benefit, digital libraries have a number of other benefits. These include:

1. Easier retrieval of information.
2. Information can be updated quickly.
3. Available at all times (24/7).
4. Information can be shared by many people at the same time.
5. No storage limitations unlike traditional libraries.
6. Easy to maintain Reduces cost as number of library staff is reduced Multiple users can access the same information at the same time.
7. Easy to improve and adopt new technology.

Despite the merits that digital libraries have, they also come with limitations. Some of these are:

1. People may be tempted to access restricted sections
2. Shallow reading may at times be experienced as a result of people clicking on the hyperlinks which not be available.

Clearly, it is seen that the benefits that digital libraries bring are way more than the limitations that come with it and as a result, its adoption will bring positive development. More so, the few limitations can be easily controlled with most requiring individual effort, and not that much of an effort perse. Digital is the way to go!

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