Digital Libraries as Information Superhighway

During the decade of 1990s the term digital libraries become a recognized phrase for describing libraries that offer access to digital information by using a variety of networks, including internet and world wide web. Other synonyms used interchangeably with digital libraries are library without walls and electronic and virtual libraries because every online or virtual source of information is electronic source of information but every electronic information sources are not online or virtual form, so digital or electronic library includes digital contents and that can be delivered any time anywhere to the networked computer. Digital libraries provide remote access to the contents and the services of the libraries and other information sources combining an onsite collection of current and heavily used materials in both print and electronic form with an electronic networks which provide access to and delivery for worldwide libraries and commercial information and knowledge sources. Basically the digital libraries are the metaphor for the networked libraries. In the light of this therefore, this chapter discussed digital libraries as information superhighway looking at issues like factors responsible for the emergence of digital libraries, influence internet on digital libraries, etc.

Copyright Issues in the Context of the Digital Library

Libraries have a strong role on promoting culture and knowledge as intermediaries between creators and readers. In the analogical world, such usages didn't have relevant effects on the normal exploitation of copyrighted works. However, digitisation had a strong effect on rightholders' interests by facilitating and democratizing access to works, considering that libraries may reproduce them and promote their online accessibility. Litigation regarding the referred actions has dramatically increased in the last years as they may stress the normal exploitation of copyrighted works and the exclusive rights of reproduction and of distributing. Based on the European Union's legislation and jurisprudence, the present chapter analyses the lawfulness of public libraries digitisation of books from their collection in order to make them available to users without the right holder's consent, confronting them with the exclusive right of reproduction and the making available right.

Legal Considerations of Providing Information in Support of Distance Learning by Digital Libraries in Universities in Kenya

This paper examines the legal challenges librarians managing university libraries in Kenya experience when providing information services in support of distance learning. Kenya is experiencing enormous socio-economic changes. These changes have exerted serious pressure on higher education resulting to phenomenal expansion of university education. Unfortunately, the demand for university education has not translated into infrastructural expansion of universities. While university intake continues to grow at an alarming rate, funding for universities including libraries continue to diminish. An option taken by many universities to meet increased demand for higher education has been to invest in distance education. This option has its own challenges. Distance learning like residential programmes, require adequate financial investment in print and electronic information resources; and ICT infrastructure. Since libraries in Kenya are underfunded, they are compelled to reproduce the scarce materials available with them to serve distant learners as opposed to acquiring additional materials. This arrangement has equally serious challenges. Top on the list is copyright infringement. Without adequate exceptions and limitations to copyright restrictions, university authorities and librarians are likely to be charged for infringement.

Demographics, Socio-Economic and Cognitive Skills as Barriers to Information Seeking in a Digital Library Environment

The chapter considers the importance of demographic and socio-economic factors as well as cognitive skills to information seeking in a digital library environment. Demographic factors such as age and gender were considered. Younger adults were found to respond positively to the demands of information seeking in the digital environment while their older counterparts are still struggling to come to terms with the changes. In the same vein, studies have revealed that the value placed on technology by men and women varies. While men express high level of confidence in navigating the digital environment, women still suffer low self-confidence in doing same. Identified socio-economic factors that also constitute a barrier to information seeking in a digital environment include income level, level of education, non-availability of ICT infrastructures and epileptic power supply especially in Africa among others. Unwillingness to see one's needs as information needs, inability to articulate one's information needs, unawareness of information sources, low self-efficacy, poor search skills among others were identified as cognitive barriers to information seeking in the digital environment. Based on the findings of this chapter, the study recommends that for persons who are adjudged to be the older generation, it is imperative for them to acquire requisite ICT skills that will make it easier for them to navigate the digital environment. There is also a clarion call on African leaders to provide infrastructures that will enable ICT to thrive as the digital environment is fast replacing the hitherto traditional one.

Role of Social Networking for Information Seeking in a Digital Library Environment

This chapter discusses how to use social networking tools for information seeking in a digital library environment. Social networking is an evolutionary development of online participation, where people of common interest communicate, share and contribute content on the social cyberspace. The role of social networking for information seeking in libraries, most especially digital library is still evolving and cannot be over-emphasized. There is the need for libraries to exploit the advantages presented by these new media in providing better services. Social networking tools enable librarians and other information professionals to communicate, network and share documents with many clients regardless of location, and at little or no expense and viz. The chapter looks at: information seeking / search process; digital libraries; social networking as a concept; relationship between web 2.0, library 2.0, social media and social networking; role of social networking in digital library environment; role of information professionals in using social networking; social media platforms in digital library environment; challenges and prospects of integrating social networking with digital libraries and ways to improve the use of social networking for information seeking and dissemination in the future.

Information Need and Seeking Behavior of Farmers in Laduba Community of Kwara State, Nigeria

The chapter present the report of a study that examined information needs and seeking haviour of farmers in Laduba community, Kwara State, Nigeria. This study adopted a survey research design using simple sampling technique to select 28 respondents from the population. Structured questionnaire was designed for the collection of data. It was discovered from the findings that majority of the farmers were illiterate of the middle aged group between 31-40. The farmers plant many crops, but it is noticeable that the farmers plant cassava mostly, the area which the farmers indicated they need information most is on agriculture, it was also observed that the farmers access information from colleagues (co-farmers), friends and relatives, agricultural extension workers. The information needs of the farmers in this study on agriculture includes how to prevent diseases for their crops on the farm and after harvesting, the farmers also stated that they need information on how to seek for loan, where to get the best market to sell their farm produce and how to get the best agro-chemical for effective use. In this study it was discovered that the challenges the farmers face in acquiring information includes, the inability to read and write in English language, lack of constant electricity supply, conflict among members of various associations and lack of access to agricultural extension workers. It is recommended that the farmers should be given effective adult education, provision of information centre with necessary personnel and information media to boost information accessibility. Also the government was encouraged to negotiate with mobile telecommunication operators to subsidize services so that the farmers who form majority in the rural areas can access information and communicate easily through their mobile phones.

Digital Libraries and Copyright Issues

This chapter examined digital libraries and copyright issues. It considered several issues such as the meaning of digital libraries, the characteristics, functions, digital scholarship services, copyright and the materials that can be and cannot be copyrighted, fair use of library materials, reservation for general use, access to electronic copies, guidelines for fair use in the digital libraries, library reproduction and re-distribution and inter-library loan. The chapter concludes that, reading through this chapter, undergraduates, academics and other library users will have a good understanding of what the digital libraries are and copyright issue all of which are considered very important and germane as we approach paperless society.

Information-Seeking Behaviour of Users in the Digital Libraries' Environment in Sub-Saharan Africa

This chapter addresses the issue of information-seeking behaviour of users in the digital libraries' environment in sub-Saharan Africa. Information-seeking behaviour may be shaped by the environment in which users seek information. A digital library is still relatively new in sub-Saharan Africa and there is not much known about how the digital library environment may shape the information-seeking behaviour and/or information needs of users. The chapter explores the concept of digital libraries and the nature of the collections and services of digital libraries in comparison to traditional libraries. The chapter also discusses what a library is, the services provided by libraries, and the differences between a traditional library and a digital library. Covered in the chapter also is a brief history of digital libraries. Digital literacy as a factor which may shape the information-seeking behavior of users in a digital library environment is also discussed in the chapter. Information literacy has changed drastically. The digital information literacy that may play a role in socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa is no longer the literacy defined as the ability to read and write at a basic level and sign a document. As society is moving from information age to digital age, new definitions of digital information literacy are evolving which include how to access information in digital formats, and how to evaluate information and use it appropriately. Digital information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning and is common to all disciplines, to all learning environments and to all levels of education. In sub-Saharan Africa, levels of digital information literacy are low due to numerous factors which are also explored in this chapter. Development of digital information literacy in sub-Saharan Africa has been slow compared to the development of information and communication technologies in the region. The chapter discusses the extent to which low levels of digital literacy in sub-Saharan Africa may also be responsible for shaping information-seeking behaviour of users in a digital library environment. The chapter concludes that the major differences between the two types of libraries are mainly to do with technology, rather than a fundamental change in the way libraries operate. This is because digital libraries are still libraries which largely share the same objectives and purposes of the traditional libraries.

Information Seeking Behaviour of Trade Unionists

Trade Unionism is mostly like a reactive movement rather than proactive. Its activities and programmes have witnessed setbacks overtime, notwithstanding the originality of intent and positivity of disposition to democratic process. Trade union is a major component of the system of modern industrial relations in any nation. Constitutionally, it has own set of objectives or goals to achieve. Change in the political, social and educational environment gives it an interface of a forum that protects and advances workers' interests, improves the quality of life and condition of workforce, enlarges their traditional capacity of establishing terms and conditions of employment. This chapter entrenches trade unionists' information needs in terms of capacity building towards organizational productivity as well as the seeking behavior using digital sources. The challenges of meeting up with the needs and management of information by Information Resource Centre of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies' (MINILS) in the era of digital divide is review with recommendations.

Indexing and Abstracting as Tools for Information Retrieval in Digital Libraries

Indexing and abstracting are like Siamese twins in the information retrieval process. Indexing and abstracting are the two approaches to distilling information content into an abbreviated, but comprehensive representation of an information resource(s). They are knowledge organisation tools which usually provide detailed and accurate maps and road signs in the information superhighway. Digital libraries are characterised by an electronic stock of information which can be accessed via computers, and are extension and augmentations of physical libraries in digital forms. They are information retrieval systems (a device interposed between a potential user of information and the information itself) which provide opportunities to access and retrieve information that is often accessible for a variety of reasons. This chapter presents a literature review on indexing and abstracting, information retrieval process, digital libraries pointing out the importance of indexing and abstracting in the information retrieving process and then highlighting the roles played by indexing and abstracting as tools for information retrieval in digital libraries. The chapter posits that indexing and abstracting plays a significant role as information retrieval tools in digital libraries.