INFORMATION EXPLOSION AND THE CHALLENGES OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION IN NIGERIAN LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES

Abstract

The discovery of paper, ink and the printing machine signaled the emergence of Information Explosion. Initially, the discoveries meant multiplication of information materials thus ending the era of keeping of information materials under lock and key. As a dynamic organism, the library has also benefitted immensely in the development of various media after the Second World War, when pictures, audio and video tapes became the means of preserving and transmitting information. The emergence of Information Communication Technology led to exponential availability of information, which in spite of its advantages also brought its challenges to users and information managers thus giving birth to information science. The difference between traditional libraries and information centres were highlighted and the paper revealed that in Nigeria, ICT is yet to take root among public libraries when compared with their academic counterparts as evidenced in studies on ICT and academic institutions. It identified challenges faced by libraries in Nigeria vis-a-vis utilization of ICT and recommended the need for library schools to review their curricular, improved funding and it also called on Government to put in place a robust ICT Policy so that both the urban and rural dwellers can benefit in the globalization process.