ICT Infrastructure Required For Sustainable Library Services In The 21St Century Issues And Challenges From A Developing Country's Perspective
Francis Kwabena Boachie · 2018
Library services in the 21st century have moved from the four corners of physical location and printed books to the virtual and ubiquitous solution that includes digital contents accessible in many forms and from anywhere. These new ways of accessing information, managing, and providing library and information services, depend largely on a solid and scalable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure, which is supported by stable sources of electrical power and backed by ease of software applications to empower digital platforms for library solutions. Therefore, the lack of reliable ICT platforms, access and policies supported by relevant skill sets are a major challenge to developing countries. This paper is about raising the challenges and issues that affect the basic ICT infrastructure for delivering library and information services in some African countries in the 21st Century. The method used is the mixed methodology approach of interviewing and observations. The paper also covers the major challenges facing these countries in developing ICT infrastructure It is argued that developing countries have similar issues and challenges with respect to availability of reasonable ICT infrastructure, reliable sources of electric power, high cost of internet bandwidth and ICT equipment as well as lack of technical expertise to manage the life cycle support of technological advancement. To help deal with these challenges, developing countries need the support of global forces and partners to deal with the present ICT infrastructure gaps in order to integrate their economies to accelerate the developmental progress towards the TIN Sustainable Development Goals