USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BY THE LIBRARIES IN DIGITALLY PRESERVING OF INFORMATION RESOURCES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

The fact that the risk of loss of data in digital formats are very much greater than any other physical form and thus is required to be addressed in greater details. We always remain in fear that the access to digital resources is threatened more by technological obsolescence and to a lesser degree it is thought to be due the fragility of digital media. The rate of change of technologies in this world of growing technologies over shorter periods of time spans is such that we always remain in fear that the information may be rendered inaccessible even within a decade. Thus we may say that preservation is an immediate challenging issue for digital resources than for traditional resources. Digital materials are different from physical materials, in particular because their content can only be delivered by computer processing. Their preservation is difficult and complex. There is need for long-term digital preservation systems and strategies that shall enable the survival of digital information. This article centers on libraries use of information technology in preserving informational resources in the 21st century. It discusses softwares used in preserving digital resources. The paper recommends that libraries must promote the adoption of appropriate technology that will facilitate access and preserve digital asset for long-term. Policies are needed on what to preserve for the long term, that is the need for appropriate preservation policies and resources which address problems of retrieval, technical obsolescence, physical deterioration, and authenticity. Solutions are required to practical and technical issues that include cataloguing digital materials, dealing with technical obsolescence and the physical deterioration of media, and to problems of authenticity.