Modern Technological Developments In Information Storage And Retrieval And The Need To Include Them In Library Science Curriculum
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Date
1986-12
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Abstract
Demands on Library and Information Science have undergone significant changes over the last two decades as a result of the widespread availability of computers. Advent of sophisticated information storage media such as floppy disks, Winchester disks, removable disk packs and optical disks has made it possible to store enormous amount of information on very small devices and to retrieve the required information within a fraction of a minute by establishing random access to the different pieces of information stored on such media. Rapid progress in the miniaturisation of electronic components has made it possible to have computer memory of many tens of kilobytes packed into small chips of a few cms in dimension. Apart from the size, cost of computers and storage media has also decreased at an exponential rate. These developments have made it possible for Libraries and Information Centres to afford electronic computers with adequate memory and storage capacity for information storage and retrieval. However, the curriculum followed by many of the educational institjtionn does not provide necessary computer literacy to library and information science professionals, and as such the use of these modern technological developments in libraries and information centres is not making as much progress as one would expect. This paper gives a general description of the recent developments in electronic computers and associated storage media and discusses the need to include these technologies in library and information science education in India.