Abstract:
Libraries are so valuable that they attract voracious new competition with every
technological advance. The Emerging trends and technologies in the late 1990s have
completely changed ways of accessing, collecting, organizing and searching multi format
information in library setting. In this modern information society the academic library
has been an indispensable academic department in the promotion of excellence in
teaching and learning in the networked academic learning environment. The Internet
has become the primary platform for setting up various library and information sources
and services. The advancement of emerging technologies provides libraries with
innovative ways of initializing creative services in cyberspace.
Technology provides the chance for librarians to innovate, boost quality, measure
success, and align services with the priorities of their organizations. With technology,
librarians can reintroduce themselves as visible, valuable, and essential partners in
achieving common goals. This is especially important in the context of today's tight
funding climate and the never-ending struggle to advocate for and secure necessary
funding and support for libraries. The results of ICT and the digital revolution call for
developing new competencies and skills as well as a new set of proficiencies. New IT
applications reduce the need for traditional manual processing in libraries, digital and
electronic resources change library operations, processes, and workflows, including
skills and competencies required for librarians and support staff. All these changes cause
library organization and management changing.
Although not by any means a new issue, the emerging trends and technologies were in
all its levels will continue to have an impact on the development of the academic library.
Academic libraries will need to examine their own status with these emerging
technologies. These technologies and trends impact on individual or institutional level
will continue to shape the development of the academic library. New technology has
provided great opportunities for delivery of services within consortia. More and more
libraries must unite, which of course requires a change in the attitudes, practices and
policies to get the maximum benefit. Libraries can build on existing strong consortia and
partnership networks. Overall, emerging trends for academic libraries reflect the
growing importance for collaboration.
