300 LEVEL LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT

INTRODUCTION

Communication is the process of exchanging information, using a common protocol. As technology develops, communication protocols also evolve. The pattern of communication today is  changing as new technologies emerge, changing the ways people communicate and organize information. In fact, it is the changing technology of communication that tends to make the most frequent and widespread changes in society (Edison, 2002). There are many instruments to aid communication, including public address systems, bulletin boards, etc. Some means of communication are relatively simple. Other forms of communication are more complex. Advanced forms of communication involve an entire system (Seymour, et al., 1987).

Mobile phones have revolutionized the daily lives of ordinary people. Mobile phones (also called cellular phone or cell phone) do not use wires or cables, but work with radio waves and can be carried about and used anywhere (Homby, 2001).

Before the advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), communication in the library was done through books, newspapers, microforms, slides, etc. As scientific knowledge increased, electronic communication systems began to develop. The use of telephones and computers led to the Internet. The application of telecommunications to an automated library system can bring more efficiency to library services. Just as the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) has revolutionized the daily lives of individuals, it can also enhance library operations.

Brief History of Mobile Phones/GSM in Nigeria

GSM world (2004) explains that GSM supports more advanced data technologies. These technologies allow for a greater bandwidth and permit the development of mobile applications. According to Aragba-Akpore (2003), “GSM dominates the world today. As the most matured digital-cellular standard, GSM networks offer cellular switched data services well in advance of other networks.” GSM is known as the second generations (2G) after the old analogue system, which was first generation (1G). The advent of GSM was revolutionary, especially because of its roaming capabilities.

Telecommunication services were introduced in Nigeria by the British Colonial Government in 1886 to facilitate colonial administration in the country. After in dependence, in 1966, there were only 18,724 telephone lines for use by a population of about 40 million people (Edison, 2002). In January 1985, the Post and Telecommunications Department split into a postal division and a telecommunication division. The latter was merged with the Nigerian External Telecommunication Limited (NITEL). Its main objective is to harmonize the planning and coordination of the internal and external telecommunications services (Edison, 2002). Two mobile cellular telephone networks were approved in September, 1997 by the Ministry of Communication and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which boost telecom services in Nigeria. The Nigerian Telecommunications limited (NITEL) cellular network and mobile Telecommunications services Limited (MTS), managed by NITEL cover Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja with a capacity of 10,000 lines having one mobile switching centre (MSC) in each area, while MTS Ltd. operates 5,000 cellular line capacity network based in Victoria Island, Lagos (Ndukwe, 2003).

Nigeria joined the world's digital cellular network in January 2001 with the licensing of private telecommunications operators by the regulatory body, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), established in 1992. There are four major Global Systemsfor Mobile Communication (GSM) service providers licensed in Nigeria. The providers are MTN Nigeria, Econet Wireless Limited or Vmobile (now

Zain), NITEL (now MTel) and Globacom. Since 2002 when the last license was issued to Globacom by the NCC in Nigeria, several other service providers (Starcom, O-net, Multilink, Etisalat, Visafone, Zoom, etc) have emerged but have limited coverage. GSM has created a environment for telephony for Nigeria. In December 2001, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, the chief executive of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) called a press conference in Abuja to reflect on the year's activities. He could not hide his joy when he proudly announced to the world that “Nigeria now has over 280,000 mobile lines in just four months of GSM operation in Nigeria.”

According to Aihe (2001), “when the year comes to a close in a few hours time, most Nigerians will look back at 2001 as the year they were liberated from telecommunications backwardness. It is indeed like a dream. Something happened in thefield of communications, putting to an end, all the propaganda that  telephone is for the rich.”

Thus, GSM has greatly improved the socioeconomic, security, and information-based sectors of  the economy. Today, most parts of the country are covered by GSM, and even the street hawker takes some time off to make calls (Aihe, 2005). In less than ten years since the GSM network was commercially launched in Europe, it became the world's leading and fastest growing mobile standard.

Mobile Phones and Library Services

ICT has collapsed barriers and promoted fast communication and interactions across boundaries.

The need to meet life's basic challenges and responsibilities has informed the invention and the use of information technologies (Ademodi and Adepoju, 2009). Libraries are deeply interested in channels for the transmission of information, such as telephones and telephone lines, cellular networks, cable television, and the Internet. Academic libraries are challenged in satisfying their customer's needs since their target market (researchers, lecturers, undergraduate, and postgraduate students) is demanding and dynamic. The Internet and World Wide Web (www) have made it possible for university teachers, researchers, and students to locate what they need without going to the library. If librarians in this sector are to continue to make substantial contributions as information disseminators, they will have to understand and exploit ICT infrastructure and emerging technologies in delivering services to their clientele (Ikhemuemhe, 2005).

Like most service institutions, academic libraries need to engage in marketing their products and services (Ekpenyong, 2003). From a marketing communications perspective, the challenge to most libraries is to attract users to the library and to retain them. Ekpenyong (2003) asserts that if librarians wish to remain relevant, they must focus on the information provider/user relationship. Communication and interaction are generally an important component of the process of relationship building. Popoola (2001) suggests that the university library must ensure a closer relationship with its clientele. He posits that it is imperative for academic libraries to publicize their information products and services to arouse user interest. O'Dell (2009) notes that those aged 18-29 are the heaviest users of libraries when they need problem-solving information.

Most academic libraries in Nigeria have started exploring the viability of Internet technologies.

These would support library-to-user, user-to-library, and user–to–user online interactions.

However, with the Internet connectivity constraints' in Nigeria, these options are not easily deployed. Hence, many institutions in Nigeria have to look inward at the already established facilities and infrastructure to make libraries more attractive and accessible (Ekpenyong, 2003).

According to Terplan(2000), “telephones and e-mail are important tools to facilitate prompt handling and response to the stream of patron questions from within and out of the library user community. Most university libraries have one phone line, which is mostly used for administrative purposes and located in the library administrator's office. Mobile phones could be deployed at the enquiring desks.” Short Message Services (SMS) or text facilities available on all mobile phones, could be used to create awareness amongst the academic library clientele about upcoming events and new arrivals. This could be flashed through a facility called “broadcast” where one text message is sent to all the library contacts listed in the address book on the mobile phone at once.

Academic libraries need to keep abreast of the dynamically changing needs of their clienteles.

One way of delivering user-centered services is library surveys. Surveys could be carried with text and multimedia messaging. Patrons could text a coded number to a particular phone line to indicate their preference. Specialized and personalized information services can be achieved using the wireless technologies made available to all. Renewal notifications could be sent to alert patrons that books are almost due or overdue.

Mobile websites offer free SMS to mobile phone services on the Internet. The literature reveals a great deal of information on the possible use of cell phones for Internet access via Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) technology. As cell phone technology continues to evolve, it could have as significant an impact on libraries as the Internet. Ironically today, a review of cell phone use in libraries only reveals efforts to dissuade users from making or receiving calls within libraries. Few efforts are geared towards exploring ways that cell phone technology could be used to enhance library operations. However, GSM technology's acceptance and growth among the Nigerian populace has great potential for enhancing the services in libraries and information centers in Nigeria. Information managers as well as libraries should fully exploit the opportunities presented by this relatively new phenomenon with a view to providing improved products and services to the library users. Empowering the user is an important purpose of technology. It has come of age that library user's dream of an "information machine," which, as described by O'Dell (2009), should be:

·         A mind reader

·         intuitive, determining their information needs without their having to verbalize them.

·         A one-stop source for information needs, using voice recognition and natural language to search to return a comprehensive collection of information sources

·         portable

·         ubiquitously accessible

Users want an information system that will meet their needs with far less stress and energy.

References

Ademodi, D. T., & E. O. Adepoju (2009). Computer skill among librarians in academic libraries in Ondo and Ekiti States, Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice 2009. Available: http://unllib.unl.edu/LPP/ademodi-adepoju.htm

Aihe. M. (December 31, 2001). Telecommunications. Vanguard Newspaper 27.

Aihe, M. (August 12, 2005). Telecommunications: Race for relevance. Vanguard Newspaper 29.

Aragba, A. (March 11, 2003). Mobile phones technology. The Guardian : 41, 42.

Edison T. (2002). Communications. Available:http://www.nigeriabusinessinfo.com/telecoms080903.html

Ekpenyong, G.D. (2003). Marketing and promotion of information services in the University of Ibadan Library. Information Development 19 (3): 197-201.