Comparative Study of Traditional and Modern Library

Modern library can be defined as a careful study and tools of a subject, field or problem undertaken to
discover facts or principles in 21th centaury .The most emerging part of library in the higher education
and scientific purpose. They introduced e-content, so that it is new fundamental to researcher practice and
improved the efficiency with which they work. However the digital/modern revolution has changed the
relationship between researcher and librarian. The information scenario in changing at a faster speed.
Good quality modern library resources can help, attract and retain academic high flyers. An electronic
resource is one of the emerging environments in libraries and information communication. The article
appraises the transformation of libraries and the benefits incurred by adapting the technology. Appraisal
has been made by comparing the earlier libraries and present time libraries are working resources and
services

Keywords: Information and Communication Technologies, Modern/e- Library, Traditional Library.

Introduction In an Indian context, growth and the development of the libraries is interpretatied as most
influential and carry the iconic values in the society. People society and the reading communities promote
and desire the further establishments of libraries so that the nation is improved. Aim of the Study The
traditional library has had a profound impact on research and communication practice over the past
decade and practices continued to change. The last decade has also seen sharp growth into levels of
research activity and an associated growth of interest in monitoring and assessing research performance.
As we know libraries function as an essential integral component in the higher education system. Without
a proper information and knowledge infrastructure, no education system can sustain and achieve its
goals.The information scenario in changing at a faster speed. Good quality library resources can help,
attract and retain academic high flyers. The Modern/e-library is one of the emerging environments in
education. There are different factors especially the information and communication technologies (ICT)
and the quickly emerging concept of digital library has changed or changing the shape of the academic
libraries in India. Education enlightens the mankind to march forward in right direction. If education fails
to include is the teaching learning process must generate interest in the students and motivate them to stay
connected. It is an integral part of growth and progress of any society. In our education system for
knowledge and information libraries is the entre place. Library is a place where the collection information
resource in print or in other forms that is organized and made accessible for reading or study is kept.
Libraries have also affected by the time factor. Libraries have taken many shapes from traditional to
modern times that are given below in short. Traditional Library Traditionally libraries were collection
of books, manuscripts, journals and other sources of recorded information.The collection of the traditional
libraries are mostly print media manuscripts etc. Traditional libraries are confining itself with a physical
boundary. Automaton Library A library with machine readable catalogue, computerized circulation and
OPAC are called as automated library. The holding of such type of libraries are same as that of traditional
libraries.
Electronic Library When automated libraries go for LAN (local area networking) and started
procuring .E-journals and other similar kinds of publications then it is known as electronic library. The
electronic media are used for storage,referival and delivery of information. The resources of the electronic
libraries are in both print and electronic form. Digital Library In Digital library high speed optical fibber
are used for LAN and the access is over WAN and provide a wide range of internet based securities. The
majority of the holding of a digital library is in the computer readable form and also acts as points of
access to other online sources. Virtual Library A virtual library can be simply defined as the internet
based digital library or a library without walls. The concept of a virtual library is that any person who has
a computer and connection to the library networks can access not only the resources of that library but
also a variety of information available through a national and international networks like internet and
internet without being physically present in the library. Hybrid Library It was designed to bring a range
of technologies from different sources together in the context of a working library and to explore
integrated systems and services in electronic and printed environments. It reflects the transitional state of
the library which today can neither be fully printed nor fully digital. Traditional Libraries Traditionally
a library was collections of books, manuscripts, journals and other resources of recorded information. The
collection of the traditional libraries are mostly print media, manuscripts etc and are not well organized.
The documents are deteriorating out a rapid rate. The collected information is not easy to locate and
procure. Such information does not reach the user of the libraries on time. It is difficult to get such
publication in the absence of personal influence and contacts. There are entrain restricted publications
containing higher information materials but may not be easily available sometimes the information in
published after many years by the time. Features of Traditional Library
1. Generally libraries are the place to preserve and distribute the physical forms of resources such as
books and journals etc.
2. To maintain these resources with cataloguing and classification.
3. Physical searching method is used to retrieve the resources.
4. Information is stored in physical format. The users may barrowed the resources and make use of it.
5. A traditional library consist details of available stock in books and subscription of periodicals.
6. Traditional libraries are confined itself within a physical boundary.

Modern Library/Electronic Library

The revolution of information and communication technologies (ICT) has brought structural changes in
library services. Professionally speaking it is a conglomerate of information technology, management
science and communication methodology has redefined the role and the services of library. It has brought
changes in the availability and access format of literature some definations are there to define electronic
library. “A set of documents available through electronic means by the use of digital technologies that
allow for the retrieval archiving, preservation and dissemination of those documents.” “A physical site
and/or website that provide twenty four hour online access to digitalized audio video and written
materials.” National diet library, Japan is defined the “Electronic library concept” as a library which
provides primary and secondary information electronically through communication networks. Presently
the e formats only are encouraged at some places. With this not only books and journals are easily
available and much more comfortable than its traditional versions. Quick need of getting information in
also possible with this format. No need to wait for months together for its arrival from the far distant
places from its publications. When using electronic information sources lot of benefits are obtain by the
users that they are:-
1. E-libraries are the best tool for providing online resources for research which will make easy to its
users.
2. Retrospective search is easy and most convenient than print resources.
3. Literacy is increases when reaching made by the educators.
4. Searching of index is also easy.
5. It supports for searching with the combination of keywords.
6. While searching made by patrons for their project to retrieve or manageable amount of context, quickly
and easily.
7. Provision for simultaneous access of multiple file.
8. Provision for print out and saved the download items for the future references.
9. E-library facilitate to its patrons for research solutions.
10. The Distance learners are also searching their requirement from e-library.
11. E-library provides the benefit to integrated search to dictionary, encyclopaedia almanacs etc through
the reference desk.
12. The simplest functions like point and click promotes the user interest.

In the contemporary world information is the backbone of society it helps in development of each and
every field of human life starting from education to business and health. The libraries of 21th centaury
have to be conceived not merely as the storehouse of knowledge but an effective mechanism to facilitate
dissemination of knowledge promoting and sharing intellectual property. In essence the libraries of
electronic age have to be an effective support mechanism for dissemination of knowledge. In a very
simple way we can see the differences or comparison

S.No. Traditional Library E-Library/Modern Library

1 Direct searching is not Number of search options is
possible of all text. available.
2 Reference is possible only or Online or virtual reference.
shelf search.
3 Availability only at library Available in all days per
opening hours. years.
4 Only one user access. Multi user environment.
5 User access directly from User can access their
library only. requirement by anywhere
else.
6 Not linked full text. Indenting and abstractly
service through direct link
with full text record.
7 Reproduction is photocopy Reproduction is printing
method searching the method easy searching.
required photocopy area is
time consuming.
8 There is no provision of Edit any part of the text is
editing. easy.
9 Particular article may be Particular article may be
access from the hard copy. download via internet is easy.
10 Searching is only physical Searching of articles is on
screen and virtual one.
11 In circulation document On time circulation is
deliver, inter library loan is possible.
required.
12 Physical retrieval. It Visual retrieval is time
consumes some time for saving, unable to physical
 searching. retrieval. It depends on the
availability of networks.
13 Delivery is delay because of Immediate delivery with
travel the material from one cheap cast.
place to another.
14 Equipments are no need to Some equipments are
use the print resources. essential for use the e-
resources.
15 Centralized access location. Distributed aceess location.
16 One way search. Systemation search.

Of course digital libraries are more convenient and cost efficient with the majority of the comparisons
shown above. However, we all probably understanding that traditional libraries slowly but steadily
become the things of the past. Even now a library is not what it was a couple of decades ago. Any big
library contains video and audio materials, access to the internet next and digital tool.Utilized electronic
cataloguing systems and so on. Physical book will sooner or later become a rarity far it is inconvenient to
use store and carry about. Conclusion It is highly possible that digital libraries will replace traditional
ones in time. We just don’t know what they will be like. To sum up, digital learning aim to break the
numerous barriers that are preventing people from receiving quality education, knowledge in a physical
bound area. Charles Darwin wrote about evolution of life forms “It is not the strongest of the species that
survive nor the most intelligent, But the ones most responsive to change”.

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