Information Technology

1. Unit – 3 Information
Technology
Presented By
Anand Y Kenchakkanavar
Librarian
USM-KLE-IMP Belgaum

2. Information Technology (IT) is a generic term that covers the
acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of information. IT
is the boon for mankind. It gives accessibility to information at
fingertips. IT has reduced the space and time between the people,
country and continent and ultimately has led to the emerging
concept of “global society” and “global village”.

3. 1.1 Information Technology Components
Information Technology consists of the following components-
a)Computer: A computer is a device that solves problems by applying
prescribed operation on data entered into it. It is a set of interacting
elements, responding to input so as to produce desire output.
b) Telecommunication: The communication channel is the medium which
carries the message / information / etc. send by the sender and
takes it to receiver ends. In computer network the communication
channel is the connecting cables.

4. c) Modem: It can be defined as “a device attached to computer that can
convert digital signals to analog signals.” The data signal generated by
computer (digital signal) is different from the signal from that can be
carried by telephone lines (analog signal).
d) Database: A database is a self describing collection of integrated
records. It is self describing because it contains as part of itself, a directory
or dictionary of its contents.

5. New Technologies in Information Technology: The new technologies that are
emerging as part of Information Technology includes E-Commerce, Hyper
Media, Data warehouses and Data Marts, Data Mining, Online Analytical
Processing (OLAP), Geographical Information System (GIS), Video
Conferencing / Net Meeting, etc
Impact of IT on LIS: The impact of new technologies is seen in almost every
human activity. The computers are also transforming the libraries into a
paperless atmosphere. Again, it is the use of IT that gives librarians a wide
scope, wide audience, and raise the status.

6. a) Collection: Information is collected as mash up, tag, bookmark, hyper text.
b) Transportation: Information is transmitted through optical fiber cables.
c) Storage: The computer storage reduces the bulk of the printed materials in the
library. The optical disk, hard disc are very commonly used in all types of libraries.
d) Processing: Different types of computer software and other equipments are
used for information processing.
e) Retrieval: The use of computer for information retrieval gives precise result in
fraction of a second.

7. 1.2 Areas of Computer Application in Library
A modern library cannot be imagined without the application of computers. In the library
and information centres computers can be used for performing efficiently all sorts of jobs
from the procurement of the reading materials to their organization and use. So, it can serve
as a remedy for all the existing problems of libraries and information centers. But, till now
computers have been used successfully in the following areas of library activities.

8. A) Library House Keeping Operation:
In case of library house keeping operation, the computer is used for
acquisition of books and other reading materials, there are…
 Acquisition
 Classification
 Cataloguing
 Serial Control
 Circulation

9. B) Library Administrations:
In case of library administration, the library automation helps in
 Providing Access Right to Staff Members
 Providing Access Right to Library Students or Users
 Exception Reporting
 Generation of Library Statistics / Report

10. C) Information Retrieval:
Today, Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) or sometimes Web OPAC facility
provided by the library and information centres helps in easy retrieval of information.
Computers are also used for searching Library Database.
D) Building Digital / Virtual Libraries Collection:
Computers can also be used to build digital or virtual collection or for institutional
repository of the library.
E) Resource Sharing:
In order to facilitate the provision of material request on inter library loan basis, the use
of computers and other latest telecommunication devices is being put to use in almost all
the countries of the world. The Online Union catalogue is also a product of computer
application in library.

11. F) Library Network: INFLIBNET
Developing Library Network (DELNET) is the example of taking library automation as
its first step or base structure.
G) Information System:
World Science Information System (UNISIST), Medical Literature Analysis and
Retrieval System (MEDLARS), illustrate the advanced stage of library automation.
H) User Services:
The library automation also helps to provide Current Awareness Service (CAS),
Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) Services, Indexing and Abstracting
Service, Web Based Translation Services, Computer Based Indexing and Abstracting
Services, and so on.

12. 1.3 Networking
A network is a physical connection between / among the devices (autonomous
computer) that are distributed widely in different geographical location. It is the
computer and communication link that permits computer to communicate with each
other and to share program, facilities, data and knowledge base.
a) Private Network: These networks are usually owned by some
corporation or other entity that control access and use of network
to its staff.
b) Public Networks: These networks provide services to any
individual or organization who becomes the member or
subscriber. Eg. Telephone system.
c) Cooperative Networks: These networks are managed and
supported by their user.

13. Topology refers to the way in which the end points or station of the network
are interconnected. It is the structure or the arrangement of nodes for a network. It is the
physical layout of the LAN. Topologies are named for the figure created by the web of
wiring called data path used for data transfer. Based on the topology network can be of
the following types-
 Bus Network
 Ring Topology
 Star Topology
 Tree Topology
 Mesh Network
 Hybrid Network

14.  Bus Network:- In a bus network each computer is connected to a single
communication cable via an interface and every computer can directly
communicate with each other.

15. Ring Topology: In a ring network each unit serves as a controller. All messages travel in
only one direction so when one unit is down the system could be down. So, it becomes
necessary to consider fault tolerance techniques such as dual ring or folded ring.

16.  Star Topology: In the star topology single controller is there in the middle of
the system. All communication takes place through the controller. All other
devices are connected to the centralized device called hub / switches. In the
star topology, the controller is responsible for managing the network.

17.  Tree Topology : In a tree network several devices or computer are linked in a
hierarchical fashion. This type of distribution system is commonly used in the
organization where headquarters communicates with regional offices and regional
offices communicate with district offices and so on.

18.  Mesh Network: Completely connected network has a separate physical link
for connecting each node to any other node. This type of network is very
reliable as any line breakdown will affect only communication between the
connected computers. Again, each node of the network needs not to have
individual routing capacity and communication is very fast between any two
nodes.

19.  Hybrid Network: The basic network topologies can be linked together to form hybrid
Network of considerable complexity. For example, the star and bus topologies can be
combined to form a hybrid network.

20. Again, based on utility criteria, network can be of the following types-
a) Resource Sharing Network: This type of network are intended to share the
resources which includes specialized computer, software or other devices that are
expensive and are not affordable by an individual user. Eg. A super computer in an
institution is accessed by several station located in different department / section of the
institution.
b) Data Sharing Network: This network provides access to various databases from
workstation situated at distance apart. Eg. Remote access to stock exchange data or
hotel and airline reservation system.
c) Communication and Data Exchange Network: This type of network allows users
to exchange data graphs and document with each other using such devices as e-mail,
bulletin board, etc..

21. Classification of network based on the concept of “area” made good sense
at this time because a key distinction between a
LAN
WAN
MAN involves the physical distances that the network spread.
As technology improves the new types of network appeared on the sense.
These too become known as various types of area network for consistency’s sake (eg.
Storage area network, system area network, campus area network, etc)

22. The overall impact of IT on library and information science is broadly
subdivided into three major divisions, such as
a) Impact on Technical Services: Automation, in the form of bibliographic utilities and
MARC format has revolutionized the practice of cataloguing. Today’s librarians rely
on MARC format to provide proper cataloguing services to their users. Online Public
Access Catalogue (OPAC) can substantially reduce the cost of maintaining a
catalogue. If the OPAC is integrated with technical service files in a full function
automated system, work throughout the department can be streamlined and
reorganized.
The impact on staff responsibility and assignment can be significant. The co-
operative collection development and management have become increasingly
important in libraries due to tight budgets, rising prices and the information explosion.
Bibliographic utilities facilitate these efforts through shared holdings, information and
automated inter-library loan sub-systems to speed resource sharing.

23. b) Impact on Public Services: OPACs which provide speedy online access to the entire
library's holding by means of computer terminals are affecting library operations.
c) Impact on Library Organization Structure: The right type of planning is vital for
the efficient working of a library. Planning of a library organizational structure requires
a thorough understanding of need of the users, objectives and functions of a library or
information center. The emergence of information technology provided greater impetus
for information transfer at both inter and intra-organizational level. Organization of all
types become involved with IT and have implemented, IT based system.
Libraries and information centers has very important role in advancement of
education, scientific research and socio-economic development of any society. These are
the service centers, where very personalized service is extended to the users. As a result
of recent expansion in communication infrastructure, expanding computer culture,
advance in printing technology etc. has created more awareness about information use.
It has resulted in increasing library services. The future libraries may not be recognized
by their size; these will be perhaps recognized by variety of services and approaches,
where information search areas will be outlined.