IMPACT OF INTERNET ON LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Abstract

Developed in North America, the Internet has rapidly spread around the world in the past decade and has had an impact on the lives of millions of people. Many could not work effectively without it. Over the past few decades a variety of new and exciting information services have appeared on the Internet, each with its own distinct characteristics. Computer and Communication technologies have revolutionised the whole world of information and have penetrated in areas beyond libraries transforming nearly every facet within society. Powerful PCs, sophisticated network technologies, affordable telephone lines have given a boost for Internet. Use of the Internet and other network resources is changing the traditional library functions. While in the 1980’s and early 1990’s the Internet’s modalities were changing traditional library functions and was used mainly for communications, database searching, and bibliographic access etc. Today, the Internet’s modalities are changing or augmenting traditional functions of library profession such as the information transfer process and the perceived nature of information itself.