The Critical Role Of Libraries In The Information Society

Abstract

As a country, a lot of information is generated but not well managed thus making information difficult to obtain. Access is also a problem due to the manual system some libraries generally use. This paper discusses today's emerging issues that affect information access. It explains that the public domain is shrinking because of extended terms
of copyright protection, resulting in less content for creators to build upon and less content for the benefit of society. It notes the role librarians need to play to correct the situation. Reference is made to Copyright and Intellectual Property, The Right to Information Bill and
Library Automation as issues that affect availability of information. It further states that information overload and pollution are what we expect to experience in the information age and that information literacy is essential for the optimum use of the deluge of information from the Internet. It states that the recently introduced educational reforms should
be seen as an opportunity to resolve some of the issues addressed. It then recommends that a National Commission on Libraries be established because issues relating to information and libraries are not restricted to Education alone but cut across other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, such as; Local Government, Communications, Information and District Assemblies. A separate infrastructure is not required as libraries already exist and can be developed to help all citizens function in the information society. The paper concludes with the demand that librarians take charge with the
help of the Ghana Library Association and carry out their mandate so that libraries can play a more effective role in the information society.

Keywords : Knowledge, Copyright, Intellectual Property, Information Literacy

Ghana Library Journal Vol. 19 (2) 2007 pp. 1-23