Library Literature Review

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Chapter One introduced the research problem relating to the utilisation of ICTs in Ekurhuleni public libraries. This chapter reviews literature relevant to the study. It sought to give a deeper understanding of what ICTs facilities are used in public libraries, by whom are such facilities used as well as the reasons for the usage of such facilities. In this chapter, various literature related to the study is reviewed in order to put the study in its proper context, by identifying and analysing various issues in the literature that are relevant to the study. The chapter starts by providing clarity on why it is necessary to conduct literature review. However the main focus of the review is on the following: (i) A brief historical overview of…show more content…
In developed countries such as those in the US and UK, library automation activities started during the 1950s and 1960s respectively (Mutula 2004). During that period, library systems were developed locally on mainframe computers of parent organisations using local programming language expertise. Meanwhile, database producers such as Chemical Abstracts, National Library of Medicine and Institute of Scientific Information developed extensive computerisation programmes that led to online information retrieval system (Mutula 2004). According to Mutula (2004), national library of medicine in Bethesda in the United States of America (USA) is known to have used computers as early as 1964 in photocomposition or computer typesetting in the production of index medicus. This was followed by the use of computer applications to specialist forms of information processing, such as chemical structure handling (Mutula…show more content…
Most of the researchers, such as Emojorho (2011) , Chauhan (2004) had focussed mainly on the different types of ICTs available in public libraries to perform both administrative and managerial functions by staff. Interestingly, current literature reveals that the recent availability of information electronically in libraries has led to different types of ICTs facilities being used by members of the public (Constable 2007). Harding (2002), Eve and Brophy (2000) and Chaplin (2002) identified computers, Internet facilities, CD-ROMS, audio-cassettes, video-cassettes, photocopiers, faxes and printers as some of the most common types of ICTs available in public libraries for members of the public in the UK. Meanwhile, Bertot et al. (2008), Becker et al. (2010) and Oliver (2007) have identified the same types of ICTs as some of the facilities available in public libraries in the

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