The world today is witnessing a new kind of revolution - the Information Revolution - ushered in by technology. This revolution is far more sweeping than any other revolution in history in its reach and influence, bringing fundamental changes in all aspects of human life. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has a profound impact on all spheres of activities in the libraries. Its impact has been noticed on the way the libraries are to build its collection, its technical activities, its outreach activities, its budgetary strategies, its manpower development, its infrastructural requirement and the most important its library services.
With the invention of Information and communication Technology, libraries are now using various types of technologies to aid the services they render. Everyday new technological advances affect the way information is handled in library information centres. The impacts of new technologies are felt by libraries in every aspect.
In the process of managing and communication of information, the present day technological advances are playing a vital role. Telecommunication networks are there to handle digital machine readable data and to use micro-waves and communication satellites to transfer such data. ICT advances have made it possible to provide library services and access to information even outside the library. A library without walls or a virtual library is now becoming a reality.
The LIS scene is changing fast in the face of new challenges and in response to new demands. The advent of new technologies and their applications to library services is further accelerating the pace of this change. Library professions are experiencing a transition from stand alone libraries to library and information network; from printed publications to digital documents; from ownership of graphic to access to information. Development of internet technology, emergence of web 2.0/3.0 concepts, new and upcoming technologies, equipments and services are some of the major influence in the transformation of the libraries and information centres. Library professionals and users have taken cognizance of this transition and are redefining their roles.
The emerging technologies have gripped the entire society under its impact domain. The industrial and service sectors are witnessing multiple changes in operation management. The Knowledge Resource Centres are also being affected by these technologies. The storage, retrieval and library management technologies have solved century old problems. In this publication I have made an effort to touch all possible areas of emerging trends and technologies in libraries and information services.
