Library Information Management in the Era of Advanced Technology

Rick Bahague
Computer Professionals' Union
24 October 2011

INTRODUCTION

Recent surveys on the use of the Internet revealed the increasing use of technology in almost all aspect of communications. Families are reunited and reconnected through different social networks. The Philippines has claimed the top spot in facebook usage penetration per population [1]. We are also the “texting” capital of the world. We are the first to bring down a regime with the aid of technology (sms) during the previous Estrada Administration. Technology is indeed becoming a daily part of today's interaction.

However, digital divide is widening in the Philippines. There are only about 7 for every 100 Filipinos with access to the internet [2]. Computer penetration is yet to be experienced by 88% of the households. Landline telephone infrastructures is negligible with about 4 telephone lines per million of population. Thus, rural areas are yet to be connected to high-speed internet. The poor are left behind with almost no access to information using current technologies. However, to those with access, they are able to maximize it. They organize, coordinate, study, deliver services, encourage transparency, and harness information for their struggles.

There are institutions that continue to provide access to various information, with or without the use of technology, such as the local libraries. These institutions act as access points such that the people are given correct information, through books, serials, periodicals or other types of collections for them to be better citizens. However, libraries are yet to take advantage of information and communications technology or ICT. How many of our local libraries actually have online searchable selections?

On this paper, we will have a short review of information systems. Libraries being a huge information system will be on focused. On the later part, we would introduce different tools available in the ICT industry which can be leveraged by local libraries and librarians. We would then discuss limitations and laws governing information systems using ICT.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

As civilization progresses, knowledge accumulated. Early humans, stored these bits of information through oral traditions and later through writing. The invention of the printing press started to organize various data into correlated pieces. The specialization in human labor would eventually allow certain section of the population to focus in abstracting ideas from human interaction with nature for food and resources. Early information systems can be group into four categories: temple collections, government and royal archives, organized business or economic records and family or genealogical papers [3].

Information system is an integrated workflow of collecting, storing, processing and communicating information. “Garbage in. Garbase out.” Thus, information systems are maintained for data integrity and accessibility.

In the advent of technology; collection, storage, processing and communication of information is being optimized by the use of computers and various innovations.

Technology has also facilitated access to various information systems. Previously, only available in large universities, academic information systems are now accessible to researchers and the public. It now requires new skills to build, operate and maintain such systems. Card catalogues are being replaced by online library information system, for example.

LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARIES

Libraries are forced to rethink their usual service. Librarians too are to adapt to the new challenges brought by technology. Libraries must not remain as edifices housing collections of serials, periodicals, books and other archives. It has to transform and become an environment where learners and researchers are welcomed and guided to information they need. It has to become active research and learning partner of educational institutions.

Libraries “must continue to perform one of the most important function it now performs in the print- on-paper world: to organize the universe of resources in such a way that those most likely to be of value to the user community” [4]. The huge computing power for search tasks will not replace an efficient and organized information which are easily retrievable. Librarians' skills in cataloguing, classification, indexing, enquiry work and user education [5] is much needed to organize the ocean of information in the era of technology.

Full-text searches (Google, Yahoo, Bing) have advantages. A few keyword search will return an overload of information. While technology has speed up the retrieval of information, it has also drown researchers and learners whom are not able to discern relevant or irrelevant information. Libraries must be able to provide directions in such circumstances.

Furthermore, librarians should be advocates of freedom of information.

TECHNOLOGY IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Libraries should consider using the following technologies:

Integrated Library Systems like Koha – local libraries will improve in collection and retrieval of information with this tool.
Digital Libraries – there is a growing trend in publications where materials are only produced in digital formats.
Digitization projects – various digitization efforts are being undertaken by different organizations.
Open Access – is the publication of works without copyright restrictions.

Open Content – is similar to open access but allows modification of the work.
Optical media archives
Wikipedia and other open content compilation like Khan Academy
Syndication of online contents – rss of news, educational materials covering a range of topics.

LEGAL ISSUES IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

Since the invention of the printing press, creative works were given copyright restrictions. Centuries afer, legal restrictions still works on the same concept. Most legal restrictions in information management are to protect copyright.

The Philippine Constitution of 1987 (Article III Sec 7) states: “The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to limitations as may be provided by law.”

This means libraries should also act as information access points not only for scholarly works but also for government data. Public sector data should be accessible in libraries to encourage our citizens to participate in transparent governance. Unfortunately, a few libraries do this.

In 2004, Public Libraries and Reading Centers Act was passed. Every congressional district, city and municipality should establish public libraries and reading centers. These centers are mandated to provide a wide array of reading materials and be used for audiovisual presentations in the community. How many municipalities actually have public libraries with dedicated librarians to direct access to relevant information to constituents?

Three laws are particularly related to technology in information system:

Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 8293) ("RA 8293 ")

“The State recognizes that an effective intellectual and industrial property system is vital to the development of domestic and creative activity, facilitates transfer of technology, attracts foreign investments, and ensures market access for our products. It shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists, inventors, artists and other gifed citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the people, for such periods as provided in this Act. “

Intellectual Property Rights covers copyrights and related rights, trademark and service marks, geographic indications, industrial designs, patents, layout-designs (topographies) of integrated circuits and protection of undisclosed information.

However, instead of facilitating access to educational materials and information, the IPR code has restricted access to it. This has great impact to libraries and librarians and all of the learners and researchers. The very law that is supposed to protect creators is also the law the limits access to information that could be of use to society.

What then should librarians do with this restrictions? The Berne Convention allows “flexibilities for the right of translation and right of reproduction. This means that the competent authorities of a country can grant a compulsory license, authorizing companies or individuals to reproduce and publish works without the copyrights owner's consent” [8]. It can be remembered that Presidential Decree 1203 grants compulsory license to reprint educational, scientific or cultural books before it was repealed. Even with accessible digital formats of different information, it is again time for us to remind the government that we need a similar law to PD 1203.

IPR code also has criminalized the photocopying of books around educational institutions. How many of students can afford expensive textbooks? Students are penalized for the lack of cheaper books.

In 2003, the World Intellectual Property Organization Copyright Treaty took effect in the Philippines. This treaty controls and restrict access to copyrighted works on internet and through technological and legal protection measures. This treaty strongly curtails access to information with the use of technology. “Experiences in the US and EU, where such technological and legal protection measures of copyrighted works in the internet have been introduced, show how they seriously affect access to works online, hampering for instance scientific research” [8]
Optical Media Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9239) ("RA 9239")

“It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State to ensure the protection and promotion of intellectual property rights.

The unregulated mastering, manufacture, replication, importation and exportation of optical media in all forms is inimical to economic growth and public interest. Towards this end, the State shall institute the means to regulate the manufacture, mastering, replication, importation and exportation of optical media.”
Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No 8792) ("RA 8792")

“The State recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology (ICT) in nation-building; the need to create an information- friendly environment which supports and ensures the availability, diversity and afford- ability of ICT products and services; the primary responsibility of the private sector in contributing investments and services in telecommunications and information technolo- gy; the need to develop, with appropriate training programs and institutional policy changes, human resources for the information technology age, a labor force skilled in the use of ICT and a population capable of operating and utilizing electronic appliances and computers; its obligation to facilitate the transfer and promotion of adaptation tech- nology, to ensure network security, connectivity and neutrality of technology for the na- tional benefit; and the need to marshal, organize and deploy national information infra- structures, comprising in both telecommunications network and strategic information services, including their interconnection to the global information networks, with the necessary and appropriate legal, financial, diplomatic and technical framework, systems and facilities.”

This law has defined penalties to piracy through the use of telecommunications networks, such as the internet.

LIBRARIES TO THE FUTURE

While there are legal issues to be followed, libraries and librarians should primarily consider facilitating information access to the people. In the age of advanced technology, organized information easily useable by the community is important. Libraries and librarians should combine technology and fundamental skills in information management to provide service to constituents.

REFERENCES

http://247wallst.com/2011/05/09/the-ten-nations-where-facebook-rules-the...
Philippine Country Data ITU report 2011
The Changing Role of Librarians in the Digital Age, Sunday Olurotimi Obadare
Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife, Nigeria and references therein.
Lancaster, F. W. (1997). Artificial Intelligence and Expert System Technologies: Prospects. In: Libraries for the New Millennium: Implications for Managers. London: Library Association Publishing, 19 - 37.
TRENDS AND ISSUES IN PREPARING NEW ERA LIBRARIANS AND INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS By Assoc Prof. Dr. Laili bin Hashim & Ms. Wan Nor Haliza Wan Mokhtar Faculty of Information Management Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)/ MARA University of Technology, Malaysia
Germain, Claire M., "Legal Information Management in a Global and Digital Age: Revolution and Tradition" (2007). Cornell Law Faculty Publications. Paper 73. http://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/lsrp_papers/73
The Philippines: Impact of copyright rules on access to education, June 2009. 3D Trade, Human Rights, Equitable Econmy, Switzerland.