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Unit 3: Place of Library in Dissemination of Information

A new generation (of people) is now dominant which can communicate with the computers Notes
with ease over the various transmission links. Programming is taught at an early age in schools,
and most well educated persons under 30 can use one programming language fluently. The
computer and software industries have spent much time and money in developing the ‘man-
machine interface’ so that the terminals are usable by a greatest number of people. Nevertheless,
some minds seem naturally at home with the new technology whereas for others it is a struggle.
Some persons seem to have a built-in hostility to this form of communication, which is becoming
so vital in society.
A person who is well adapted to the technology can carry out an amazing number of different
functions from his home terminals. An ever-increasing world of computers, data banks, sound,
film, and picture libraries is there to explore. Many authorities, however, still believe that the
technology is only in its infancy. Certainly a vast amount of work lies ahead in building up the
data banks, writing teaching programs, improving computer-assisted medical diagnosis, and so
on, and using/providing information as a rich resource.
Digital library storages are now available which store 100 terabits (1014 bits) online. These
stores are used in data processing applications, for storing vast libraries of documents (hundreds
of millions of facsimile pages), for large online music libraries, or for holding up, to a thousand
hours of randomly accessible television programmes. Intelligence and police agencies use such
stores for holding up to a million hours of recorded telephone conversations or conversations
from bugging devices. So it is clear that with the convergence of technology and information
processing techniques, information is growing to be a rich economic resources be it an individual,
organization or a nation.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
5. ……………… systems involve technologies such as printing, telecommunications, or
computers.

6. The technology has arisen from the coming together of data processing by ………………….
with electrical telecommunications.
7. A local and temporary disruption of a service can cause social havoc, and we are continually
oppressed by the fear of widespread and long-term …………………. crisis.
8. One effect of social change on the individual is increased social …………………..

3.3 Library and Education

Education and library have been inseparables since centuries and civilizations. Evidences are
plenty where library has been one integral part of all education, more so in the institutions of
higher learning. In India, Nalanda and Takshashila Universities and even the gurukul type of
education has highly dependent on their libraries. The Higher Education in India, during the
last sixty years or so has been expanding primarily for social and political reasons rather than on
economic and manpower considerations. On 28th December 1953, the University Grants
Commission (UGC) was established in India. U.G.C brought out reforms in college education
by relaxing several colleges from the rigid regimentation of traditional course structure.
As a result of the schemes initiated for restructuring courses in its Sixth Plan Development
proposals, there has been a great expansion of libraries in most colleges on the development of
library collection during the last twenty years. The UGC provided generous funds for purchase
of reference books and textbooks as well as grants for library buildings. The UGC also sponsored

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