Imported User:
Scientists in Library and Information management sector have been advised to deploy cloud computing technology to make their work easier.
Information Resource Officer of the US Mission, Nigeria, Ms. Suzanne Miller who made this call in Lokoja during the national workshop organized by Librarians Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) for Librarians and Information managers said there is the need for them to be e-ready in a globalised world.
This she said is the way to go and the benefits could be enormous.
“The beauty of cloud computing is that your work is kept in a shared server somewhere,. You can share information easily with others. It brings about more collaboration and when you system crashes all your information are kept safe because they are stored in another server,” she said.
Cloud computing empowers its users to do more. Although relatively new, it is gaining more acceptability globally. Cloud computing is about putting more of your material out there and less on PCs or servers that a business runs for itself. Equally, Information Resource Centre Director of the United States Consulate General Lagos, Samuel Eyitayo said adopting new tools for
improved service delivery by information scientists will impact on the development of the different sectors of the national economy.
According to him, “Nigerian Librarians should ensure they learn them by practicing them. Not adopting new technologies is like crawling instead of driving.”
Eyitayo said they were participating at the workshop to give librarians the tools to work with as librarians by showing them the best way of using the internet especially the open web. With this they can explore hidden tools, search straight to the target without wasting time. The participants were also exposed to the collection of database that has been been published for use.
Miller stated that if the information managers in Nigeria would deploy adequate technologies, there will be opportunity to skip a generation just like what took place in the telecommunication industry.
Chief Executive Officer of LRCN, Dr Victoria Okojie said Librarians that do not deploy new technologies for delivering services are on the same page with ware-house managers. “Librarians should no longer be seen as bookstore keepers. Things are changing globally and there is so much we can do as information managers to meet the need of our clientele by proactively provide information and meeting them where they are (E-highways, E-libraries, e-books, m-technologies) are the way to go today.”
