Usefulness and Impact of Big Data in Libraries: An Opportunity to Implement Embedded Librarianship
The concept of Big Data has been extensively considered as a technological modernisation in Library & Information centres. According to IDC, data volume is set to increase exponentially and envisages a data volume of over 160 zettabytes by the year 2025. Size is the first, and at times, the only dimension that leaps out at the mention of Big Data. Big Data is defined as information overload due to the volume, velocity, variety, variability & veracity of the data which must be processed to get value and better visualisation. Big Data contains the answer to several valuable questions related to patterns, trends & associations of user behaviour. It plays a major role in helping libraries to clearly understand the changing user needs, accordingly, reshape & restructure their services & procedures. The primary focus of this study was to explore the concept of Big Data in a library environment, steps to introduce Big Data in libraries and the use of Big Data in providing library services using the concept of data life cycle developed by DataONE. The main influential components to perform this study was the capabilities of Big Data analytics, the need & usefulness of Big Data practices, its significant utilisation in libraries and discuss some globally taken practical initiatives. The study highlights the important role of Big Data analytics capabilities to uncover new challenges of information utilisation, consequently helps a librarian to fulfil his role as an Embedded Librarian, both in theoretical & practical terms.