User Centric Design of Library Systems and Services in the Changing IT Era: An Overview

Abstract

Defines the User Centric Library System (UCLS) and explains the need for user centric library systems and services (UCLSSs). Argues that the design of user centric library systems are basically meant for providing quality services to the users and for their empowerment, and also for sustenance of libraries. States that the embedded librarianship and user centric libraries have some similarities in terms of librarians and users working in teams to design and develop various services and products that will better suit the users requirements. The paper explains that the Internet and Web technologies have come handy in design and delivery of the user centric library systems and services in the changing technological era. It emphasizes that all the library operations and services are largely user centric professional commitments and responsibility of librarians, whereas, some of them pertain to the professionally warranted functions for accountability of the jobs held by the librarians. The core of the library operations and services, either explicitly or implicitly are user centric and their foundations are built on Dr S.R. Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science. Information Technology is aiding the libraries in maintaining contact with the users in diverse ways and to maintain collaborative sharing of knowledge or information. The paper concludes that, there is a need for the LIS professionals to shift their philosophy from the 'Library Centered' approach to the 'Learner or User Centered' approach, to make the libraries relevant with the changing times.