INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIBRARY AND International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print)

) ISSN: 2277 INFORMATION SCIENCE (IJLIS) 2012, IAEME 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August
ISSN : 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN : 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August (2012), pp. 25-33 IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijlis.html

IJLIS
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INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AMONG THE COLLEGES LIBRARIANS AFFILIATED TO BHARATHIDASAN UNIVERSITY: A STUDY Dr. R. Prabu
Librarian, YMCA College of Physical Education, Chennai- 600 035 praburkp@gmail.com

Dr. K. Sridhar
Dy.Librarian, Sri Ramchandra University, Chennai-600 116 krishnanharisri@gmail.com

Abstract The advent of computer networking as an accepted part of the library and information infrastructure has had a very significant impact on the way in which library and information systems are perceived. India is thus on the threshold to a new era of computer communication networks both for general purposes and for library and information purposes. This article aim to indentify the level of ICT skills among Library and Information Science professionals working in colleges affiliated to Bharathidasan University. The findings of this study indicate that the extent of the gap of digital divide among the information professionals working in the colleges affiliated to Bharathidasan University. Keywords: ICT, Information Technology, Bharathidasan University, ICT Skills. INTRODUCTION Over the last two decades the libraries have witnessed impact of information technology that has been affecting the structure of the services to a great extent. Moreover, the problems of space, standardization, professional development of the staffs, challenges posed by new technologies, drastic cuts in the library budgets have aggravated problem of the present day librarianship. However, the solution to the problems of information explosion, ever changing needs of users, increasing amount required for subscription to same number of periodicals, shrinking library budget, and devaluation of rupee and its impact on the library acquisitions can best overcome upon certain level by the following means:- a) Use of computer and communication networks for resource sharing; b) Use of national and international databases through communications networks; and c) Introduction to full text CD-ROM and online based systems.

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International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY To analyze the ICT skills among Library and Information Science professionals working in colleges affiliated to Bharathidasan University. REVIEW OF LITERATURE Abu (2003)1 identified the current level of ICT skills and knowledge among the information professionals who are working in the academic and public libraries of Malaysia. The findings will indicate the extent of the gap of digital divide among the information professionals in Malaysia. Kannappanavar (2005)2 studied different training programmes for the library professionals in India and concluded that most of the present training programs are general and theoretical in nature. Watane (2005)3 studied the computer literacy and use of IT in college libraries of Amravati city covering IT awareness of the library professionals and IT application in libraries. METHODOLOGY The questionnaires were distributed among all the librarians affiliated colleges to Bharathidasan University. Out of 104 questionnaires distributed, 70 were received and the response rate is 67.3. These collected primary data has been grouped into two broad categories such as Autonomous and Non-Autonomous Institutions. Under each category it is further grouped into Government, Government Aided and Self-financing institutions. The same is shown in table- 1 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Table 1 STATUS Vs CATEGORIES OF INSTITUTIONS S.No. 1 2 Institutions Govt. Colleges Govt. Aided Colleges Self Financing Colleges Total Type of College Autonomous Non Autonomous 7 4 (10.0) (5.7) 9 (12.9) 0 (.0) 16 (22.9) 7 (10.0) 43 (61.4) 54 (77.1) Total 11 (15.7) 16 (22.9) 43 (61.4) 70 (100.0)

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International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME It can be seen from the Table- 1 that there are 16 (22.9%) autonomous institutions and 54 (77.1%) non- autonomous institutions. There were 11(15.7%) government colleges, 16 (22.9%) government aided Colleges and 43 (61.4%) self-financing colleges. From the government aided institutions, there are 9 (12.9%) autonomous institutions and 7 (10%) non-autonomous institutions. There are 7 (10%) government autonomous colleges and 4 (5.7%) non- autonomous institutions.

Status Vs. Categories

Govt. College Govt. Aided College Self - Financing

43 43 0 9 7 Autonomous 7 4 Non Autonomous 16 11 Total

Fig. 1 Status Vs Categories of Institutions ICT SKILLS To ascertain the ICT skills among the librarians, nine variables were taken up for the study. These parameters are evaluated further by means of nominal scale such as Low, Medium and High. The same is shown in table -2 Table -2 ICT SKILLS AMONG LIBRARIANS
S. No. 1 2 Descriptions Office Automation Operating System Low 6 (8.6) 18 (25.7) 24 (34.3) 28 (40.0) 27 (38.6) 40 (57.1) 33 (47.1) 28 (40.0) 33 (47.1) Medium 46 (65.7) 38 (54.3) 36 (51.4) 41 (58.6) 38 (54.3) 25 (35.7) 34 (48.6) 36 (51.4) 35 (50.0) High 18 (25.7) 14 (20.0) 10 (14.3) 1 (1.4) 5 (7.1) 5 (7.1) 3 (4.3) 6 (8.6) 2 (2.9) Mean 2.1714 1.9429 Rank 1 2 Std. 0.56393 0.67857

Library Automation and Networking

1.8000

0.67244

Digital Library

1.6143

0.51900

5 6 7 8 9

Institutional Repositories Content Management Systems Learning Management Systems Web-Technologies Network Technologies

1.6857 1.5000 1.5714 1.6857 1.5571

4 9 7 5 8

0.60296 0.63131 0.57914 0.62654 0.55523

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International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME For these nine variables mean and standard deviation was calculated based on the mean rank has been provided. The linear graph drawn based on the mean is shown in Fig .2

Fig. 2 ICT Skills among Librarians

From the Table -2 and Figure -2 it can be seen that office Automation (25.7%) has been given predominance. It is followed by operating system (20.0%) and library automation and networking (14.3%). Least importance has been given to content management system (7.1%), networking technologies (2.9%) and learning management system (4.3%). The standard deviation for all the variables indicates that there is a least deviation in the opinion among the librarians since the standard deviation lies below 0.678. ICT SKILLS AMONG LIBRARIANS Vs STATUS OF INSTITUTIONS These ICT skills were further evaluated between autonomous and non- autonomous institutions and the same is shown in Table-3 arithmetic mean calculated for autonomous and non- autonomous institutions on these variables and the same is shown in Table-.3 and it has been ranked based on Arithmetic mean.

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International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME Table -3 ICT SKILLS AMONG LIBRARIANS Vs STATUS
Autonomous (n=16) S. No Descriptions Office Automation Operating System Library Automation and Networking Digital Library Institutional Repositories Content Management Systems Learning Management Systems WebTechnologies Network Technologies Low 2 (12.5) 4 (25.0) 4 (25.0) 5 (31.3) 5 (31.3) 9 (56.3) Medium 7 (43.8) 6 (37.5) 10 (62.5) 11 (68.8) 9 (56.3) 6 (37.5) High 7 (43.8) 6 (37.5) 2 (12.5) 0 (0) 2 (12.5) 1 (6.3) Mean Rank Low 4 (7.4) 14 (25.9) 20 (37.0) 23 (42.6) 22 (40.7) 31 (57.4) Non- Autonomous (n=54) Medium 39 (72.2) 32 (59.3) 26 (48.1) 30 (55.6) 29 (53.7) 19 (35.2) High 11 (20.4) 8 (14.8) 8 (14.8) 1 (1.9) 3 (5.6) 4 (7.4) Mean Rank ChiSqua re 4.520 4.257

1 2

2.31 2.12

1 2

2.12 1.88

1 2

1.87

1.77

1.062

4 5

1.68 1.81

6 4

1.59 1.64

6 5

1.060 1.136

1.50

1.50

.045

7 (43.8) 6 (37.5) 6 (37.5)

8 (50.0) 8 (50.0) 9 (56.3)

1 (6.3) 2 (12.5) 1 (6.3)

1.62

26 (48.1) 22 (40.7) 27 (50.0)

26 (48.1) 28 (51.9) 26 (48.1)

2 (3.7) 4 (7.4) 1 (1.9)

1.55

.246

1.75

1.66

.414

1.68

1.51

1.407

Note: Percentage are represented within parenthesis and calculated based on domain respondents DF - 2, Total Value: 5.991 at 95% significant level

The chi-square test is also administered between autonomous and non-autonomous institutions. The same is also shown in table -3. The linear graph drawn based on the mean is shown in Fig 3.

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International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME

Fig. 3 ICT skills among librarians Vs status of institutions

From the above table it reveals that 43.8% of librarians from Autonomous institutions and 20.4% of librarians from non-autonomous institutions are having high level of ICT skills in office automation. It is followed by operating system (37.5% and14.8%) by both institutions. Least importance has been given to content management system (56.3%, 57.4%) by both autonomous and non autonomous institutions. The chi-square test is also administered to test the hypothesis that there is no significant difference in ICT skills among the librarians of Autonomous and Non-autonomous institutions. The calculative value (4.520) for parameter is less than the table value (5.991). Hence the hypothesis is significant. ICT SKILLS AMONG LIBRARIANS Vs CATEGORIES OF INSTITUTIONS The ICT skills were further evaluated between government, government aided and selffinancing institutions and the same is shown in Table -4. For each category of institutions Arithmetic Mean calculated and ranks were assigned between variables. These values are shown in table -4 Table -4 ICT SKILLS AMONG LIBRARIANS Vs CATEGORIES
S. No
1 2

Govt. Colleges (n=11)

Descriptions

Govt. Aided colleges (n=16)

M
1.72 1.54

Self Finance Colleges (n=43)

R
1 2

L
Office Automation Operating System Library Automation and Networking Digital Library Institutional Repositories 5 (45.5) 7 (63.6) 8 (72.7) 8 (72.7) 9 (81.8)

MM
4 (36.4 2 (18.2) 3 (27.3) 3 (27.3) 1 (9.1)

H
2 (18.2) 2 (18.2) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (9.1)

R
1 2

L
0 (0) 2 (12.5) 1 (6.3) 2 (12.5) 1 (6.3)

MM
10 (62.5) 10 (62.5) 13 (81.3) 14 (87.5) 14 (87.5)

H
6 (37.5) 4 (25.0) 2 (12.5) 0 (0) 1 (6.3)

M
2.37 2.12

L
1 (2.3) 9 (20.9) 15 (34.9) 18 (41.9) 17 (39.5)

MM
32 (74.4) 26 (60.5) 20 (46.5) 24 (55.8) 23 (53.5)

H
10 (23.3) 8 (18.6) 8 (18.6) 1 (2.3) 3 (7.0)

M
2.20 1.97

R
1 2

Chi Sq.
23.957 11.024

1.27

2.06

1.83

14.799

4 5

1.27 1.27

5 5

1.87 2.00

5 4

1.60 1.67

6 5

10.817 17.151

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International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME
Content Management Systems Learning Management Systems WebTechnologies Network Technologies 9 (81.8) 9 (81.8) 8 (72.7) 8 (72.7) 1 (9.1) 1 (9.1) 2 (18.2) 2 (18.2) 1 (9.1) 1 (9.1) 1 (9.1) 1 (9.1) 7 (43.8) 4 (25.0) 3 (18.8) 4 (25.0) 9 (56.3) 12 (75.0) 12 (75.0) 12 (75.0) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1 (6.3) 0 (0) 24 (55.8) 20 (46.5) 17 (39.5) 21 (48.8) 15 (34.9) 21 (48.8) 22 (51.2) 21 (48.8) 4 (9.3) 2 (4.7) 4 (9.3) 1 (2.3)

1.27

1.56

1.53

7.250

7 8 9

1.27 1.36 1.36

5 3 3

1.75 1.87 1.75

7 5 7

1.58 1.69 1.53

7 4 8

11.596 8.978 9.452

Note: L- Low; MM- Medium; H- High; M-Mean; R- Rank

The chi-square text is also administered between Government, Government Aided and Self-Financing colleges. The same is also shown in Table -4. The linear graph drawn based on the mean is shown in Fig -4

Fig 4.4 ICT skills among librarians Vs Categories of Institutions

From the above table- 4 and figure. 4. it is revealed that the librarians of government (18.2%), government aided (37.5%) and self-financing institutions 23.3% of librarians have expressed that they are having high level of ICT skills on office automation. It is followed by operating system (18.2%, 25% and 18.6%) by all the three category of institutions. Least importance has been given to content management system (81.8%, 43.8% and 55.8%) by three categories of institutions. The chi-square test is also administered to test the hypothesis that there is a significant difference in ICT skills among the librarians of government , government aided and selffinancing institutions. The calculative value (23.597) for parameter is above than the table value (5.991). Hence the hypothesis is not significant. 31

International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ICT SKILLS BY RANK WISE ANALYSIS Table -5 ICT SKILLS Vs RANK WISE ANALYSIS
STATUS S. No Descriptions Overall Ranks Autono mous NonAutono mous Govern ment CATEGORIES Govt. Aided SelfFinancing

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Office Automation Operating System Library Automation and Networking Digital Library Institutional Repositories Content Management Systems Learning Management Systems Web-Technologies Network Technologies

1 2 3 6 4 9 7 5 8

1 2 3 6 4 9 8 5 6

1 2 3 6 5 9 7 4 8

1 2 5 5 5 5 5 3 3

1 2 3 5 4 9 7 5 7

1 2 3 6 5 8 7 4 8

From the above table -5 it can be seen that first three ranks are occupied by office automation, operating system and library automation and networking respectively except in the case of government institutions. Least preference has been given to content management system and network technologies by all the category of institutions. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION The study found that office automation (25.7%) has been given predominance by all the librarians of surveyed colleges. It is also revealed from the study that 43.8% of librarians from autonomous and 20.4 percent of librarians from nonautonomous institutions are having high level of ICT skills in office automation, library automation and networking, institutional repositories and webtechnologies. Least importance has been given to content management system (7.1%), networking technologies (2.9%) and learning management system (4.3%) by the librarians in acquiring skills. Application of new information technology has brought in dramatic changes in the library and information field. With technological advancement, libraries and information centres around the world have computerized their library routines, developed databases for shared use on computer networks. Besides, improving services and operations for improved performance, libraries have also been able to evolve effective computer networks with an aim to optimize utilization of 32

International Journal of Library and Information Science (IJLIS), ISSN: 2277 3533 (Print) ISSN: 2277 3584 (Online) Volume 1, Issue 2, May- August 2012, IAEME resources and facilities. It enables libraries to offer need-based services to the end users eliminating the limitation of size, distance and language barriers among them. REFERENCES 1. Abu Bakar, A.B (2003) so near and yet so far: The digital divide among the information professionals. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2911: 310-316. 2. Abu Bakar, A.B (2003). so near and yet so far: The digital divide among the information professionals. Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2911: 310-316. 3. Adeyoyin, S.O (2006). ICT literacy among the staff of West African university libraries: A comparative study of Anglophone and francophone countries. Electronic Library, Vol. 24 (5): 694-705 4. Adeyoyin, S.O. (2005). Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy among the staff of Nigerian university libraries. Library Review, Vol. 54 (4):257-266 5. Kannappanavar, B.U. and Kumbagodar, Praveen (2005) Effectiveness and usefulness of training programmes for library professionals in India: Survey of the library professionals working in Agricultural Science University libraries. ILA Bulletin; Vol. 41(4):18-22. 6. Watane, Anjali., Vinchurkar, A.W., and Choukhande, Vaishali (2005) Library professionals computer literacy and use of information technology application in college libraries of Amaravati city. IASLIC Bulletin, Vol. 50(3): 131-41.

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