tlj.ulill jaringan ilmu:...

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SeJ.i/ar PerplI\/tlJ.UlIll JARINGAN ILMU: CHALLENGESBEYOND* SIIAHAR BANUN JAAFAR ** ABSTRAK Kejayaan JARINGAN ILMU banyak bergantung kepada keupayaan Pustakawan dalam memanafaatkan penggunaan Internet.Sebagai pengurus maklumat, Pustakawan harus lebih pro- aktif den.gan mellggllnakall teknologi terkini dalam memberikan perkhidmatan maklumat. Perancangan strategik perlu dilakllkan oleh Pustakawan untuk menghasilkan produk dan perkhidmatan maklumat yang kreatif dan inovatif. INTRODUCTION D he Imernet. a comp uter network of networks, was introduced into Malaysia through JARING (.Joint Advanced Research Integrated Netwo rking) in 1992. JARING is coordina t ed by the Malaysian In s titute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS). Today, the Internet has cncroached upon all walks of life in Malaysia with great speed and effectivenes s. It is nOw being used by many sectors, from corporate groups, business people, educators, librarians, researchers to hobbyists, for a variety of reasons. The JARINGAN ILMU (or Knowldege Network) is one oftheJARING networks. It is a network among libraries in Malaysia using the JARING telecommunication facilities and is coordinated by Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia and MIMOS. Today, all the 14 state public librari es (including the Perpustakaan Peringatan Kuala Lumpur). 9 university libraries, and more than 75 special libraries in the Ministries, Government Departments, research institutions, training institulions, as well as associations, have access to Internet. Libraries are using internet for daily communications via email, development of their homepages and information resources in their core competencies, as well as for navigating the Internet web sites to search for information to fulfill the information needs of their users. Libraries are)aking advantage of the global network for th e promotion of information products and services. However, it is to be noted that the internet is borderless and ownerless as it is not owned by anyone in particular, yet it belongs to everyone. Every day, *. Paper presented at the Internet St:minar 1996: The Way Forward", KOla Kinaba\u. 5 No .... ember 1996 . Deputy DireclOr-Gt:ncral. Pt:rpustakaan Negara Malaysia. Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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Page 1: tlJ.UlIll JARINGAN ILMU: CHALLENGESBEYOND*myrepositori.pnm.gov.my/bitstream/123456789/2369/1/Sekitar_1996_23... · automatically become a member of JARINGAN ILMU, thereby have access

SeJ.i/ar PerplI\/tlJ.UlIll

JARINGAN ILMU: CHALLENGESBEYOND*

SIIAHAR BANUN JAAFAR**

ABSTRAK

Kejayaan JARINGAN ILMU banyak bergantung kepada keupayaan Pustakawan dalam memanafaatkan penggunaan Internet.Sebagai pengurus maklumat, Pustakawan harus lebih pro­

aktif den.gan mellggllnakall teknologi terkini dalam memberikan perkhidmatan maklumat. Perancangan strategik perlu dilakllkan oleh Pustakawan untuk menghasilkan produk dan

perkhidmatan maklumat yang kreatif dan inovatif.

INTRODUCTION

D he Imernet. a computer network of

networks, was introduced into Malaysia

through JARING (.Joint Advanced Research

Integrated Netwo rkin g) in 1992. JARING is

coordina ted by the Malaysian Institute of

Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS). Today, the

Internet has cncroached upon all walks of life in

Malaysia with great speed and effectiveness. It is

nOw being used by many sectors, from corporate

groups, business people, educators, librarians ,

researchers to hobbyists, for a variety of reasons.

The JARINGAN ILMU (or Knowldege Network) is

one oftheJARING networks. It is a network among

libraries in Malaysia using the JARING

telecommunication facilities and is coordinated by

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia and MIMOS.

Today, all the 14 state public libraries (including

the Perpustakaan Peringatan Kuala Lumpur). 9

university libraries, and more than 75 special libraries

in the Ministries, Government Departments, research

institutions, training institulions, as well as

associations, have access to Internet. Libraries are

using internet for daily communications via email,

development of their homepages and information

resources in their core competencies, as well as for

navigating the Internet web sites to search for

information to fulfill the information needs of their

users. Libraries are)aking advantage of the global

network for the promotion of information products

and services.

However, it is to be noted that the internet is

borderless and ownerless as it is not owned by anyone

in particular, yet it belongs to everyone. Every day,

• *.

Paper presented at the Internet St:minar 1996: ~llltemel The Way Forward", KOla Kinaba\u. 5 No .... ember 1996 . Deputy DireclOr-Gt:ncral. Pt:rpustakaan Negara Malaysia.

---------=~--~~==~~====~O

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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thousands of bits of information ranging from messages, advertisement, annoucements, world

'seli.il(lr PerplI .ftali."H!'

The general aims of the JARlNGAN ILMU are:

news, discussions on panicular topics among interest • for MIMOS and the Perpustakaan Negara

groups enters into the net. Anyone who has a Malaysia to jointly undertake research and

computer with internet facilities will be able to access

web sites across the world or create their own

homepages.

development programmes to establish linkages

between libraries in Malaysia using the latest

Information Technology;

The advancement of new technologies and the • to facilitate the sharing of resources among

emergence of global telecommunication such as libraries;

internet will be tile driving force toward globalization

and the development of a borderless world. The • to enable librarians and library users to access

IT revolution has given new opportunities for

libraries to become the gateway for sourcing vital

information from various web sites across the globe.

JARINGAN ILMU

JARINGAN ILMU, initiated in 1994, when

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia signed a

memorandum of understanding with MIMOS to

develop a library and information network in

Malaysia. It is one of the research and development

projects of MIMOS under JARING. As a

coordinator of JARING, MIMOS provides

telecommunication backbone facilities for its

suscribers to have access to Internet. Other similar

networks are JARINGAN PENDlDIKAN (a network

among schools and the Ministry of Education),

JAR1NGAN PENYELIDIKAN (a network among

research .institutitolls in Malaysia) , JARINGAN

PERTANIAN (a network among agricultural

institutions), and JARINGAN AW AM (a network

of institutions which provides information of interest

to the general public via internet).

Any library that subscribes to J ARING will

automatically become a member of JARINGAN

ILMU, thereby have access to internet and to any

public domain information resources created by any

one of the JARING network participants .

library resources from remote locations;

• to encourage libraries to become information

provider by creating public domain databases

and to allow members for the public to access

such databases;

• to facilitate technology transfer in the use of

computer networks and developing databases

through training , workshops, seminars,etc.

In order to facilitate libraries in Malaysia to have

access to internet, the Perpustakaan Negara

Malaysia, as the coordinator for JARlNGAN ILMU,

installed free of charge, computer systems with

Internet network facilities in about 45 libraries

including state libraries, Ministries and Federal

Government Department libraries. As coordinator

of JARINGAN ILMU, the Perpustakaan Negara of

Malaysia is encouraging these libraries to develop

information sources with local contents according

to their core competencies , and have them on the

net.

PROBLEMS WITH INTERNET

There are problems with internet. Internet is now

faced with "global shockwave" i.e. highway

congestion. Internet becomes a victim of its own

• ============~------~==~-----=~

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success and popularity. (Dr. Pekka Tarjanue). The

low-cost and flat rate price of the internet services

encourage heavy users. It is predicted that internet

is destined to collapsed under its own weight. The

internet is like a library without any filing system,

one that is constantly receiving books in random

wiUlOut a proper retrieving system. Search enquiries

such as the Yahoo and Lycos create indexes of the

net contents, however , novice users still find

problems searching on big databases. The Internet

has a rich fountain of information resources on a

varieties of subjec ts . However , it may lead to

information overload with useless bits if one cruises

or navigates the net without guides or proper user

training. Librarians must be able 10 analyze each

web site at least in the area of their subject interests.

Malaysian librar ies tend to develop graphic-heavy

web pages, therefore, 100 often it is slow to retrieve

informatio n from library home pages. The

bandwidth of telecommunication infrastructure at

local levels is not developed for resource intensive

graphic applications.

Lack of understanding among libararians in the

c reation and managemeut of websites or homepages

has resulted in the web sites not being full y utilized .

Often homepages are not updated and are "under

construction". They are created WiUlOut taking into

consideration the international audiances. There is

a need for Malaysian libraries to develop information

resources that are creative, interactive , frequently

updated , and delightful local contents which create

an interest with the net cruisers for repeat visits. In

thi s digital environment. there is a need for a

paradigm shift amongs librarians in the way they

manage and consolidate information products and

services.

Security is weak in Internet. Practically anybody

Se!i.itar PerplIfla!i.ault

undesireable elements which are in contradiction with

our Asian values. Inspite of a number of negative

features, there are a lot of useful information in the

net if one is fully competence in navigating the net.

Presently , the Internet are not well suited for voice

and video messages, though the technologies are

improving to have these facilities upgraded. As audio

and video traffic becoming more common, there wiII

be more congestion. However, librarians should

not be discouraged with these limitations. The

experts in ule IT industries are undertaking R&D

to find new ways to improve the situation. The

convergence of internet with broadcasting systems

via satellites will certainly improve the transmission

of multimedia digital information. The internet is

here to stay.

REASONS TO BE ON THE NET

JARINGAN ILMU use JARJNG network in order

for libraries to have access to internet. There are

various reasons why libraries should be on the net.

This include: (a) to be up-to-date with the latest

development in subject disciplines on core

competencies, (b) to open up library services to

global communities, (c) to create a 24-hour library

services , (d) to reach users from/to remote places ,

(e) to allow fast up-date of information, (f) to reach

different sectors of library users , (g) to reach

specialized groups of users - expert groups, suppliers,

discussion groups, (h) to serve local communities,

(i) to allow feedback from library users, (j) to test

new information products andservices, (k) to stay in

contact with professional/colleagues/staff at different

places.

OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES FOR JARINGAN ILMU

can write anything on the net. These are a lot of The future success of the J ARINGAN ILMU

--------------------==========~-o

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depends on the ability of librarians themselves.

Librarians must understand the potential of internet

and make full use of its services. Librarians should

develop strategic plans LOwards developing creative,

innovative, enticing information products and

services and to go global by taking advantage of the

available new technologies.

The growth of internet and it's world wide web sites

have made a great impact on libraries and

communities at large. It is important for librarians

to learn more about internet, with regard to its

technical foundation , economic implication and its

social impact. Undestanding the basics of the

internet is essential as it affects the future of library

services. Internet is such a useful tool for searching

information worldwide . Libraries need to make use

of the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) in a

more innovative way LO generate high customer value

services to its users. As knowledge workers,

librarians must be knowledgeable in database design

and be able to create local contents on the net. This

will lead to the globalization of local knowledge

and information. At the same time, librarians must

be competent in navigating the WWW effectively as

well as be able to consolidate information from

various sources and repackage that piece of

information according LO specialized user need ,

thereby becoming truly information managers. This

is a challenge for librarians.

As JARINGAN ILMU runs on the internet platform,

therefore JARINGAN ILMU can offer the following

services:

(a) Equal access to illformation

The emergence of Internet provides new

opportunities for libraries . to transmit large amount

of data instantaneously. Internet makes it possible

for information to be transmitted across national and

SeAilnr PerplIsllIl\nnll

regional boundaries. Internet allows a single user to

plug into the global network to explore and

communicate from remote places very cheaply.

Internet has gained popularity with its user friendly

search capabalities and interactive multimedia world

wide web facilities. These will change the way we

learn, share and obtain information. Libraries can

use I nternet to narrow the gap betwee n the

sophisticated urban city folk and the rural people by

introducing multimedia and internet facilities in the

rural libraries. Libraries goal should be to bring

internet services to everyone by making it easily

accessible. However, such development requires high band with telecommunication infrastructure at

local district and rural levels.

Libraries in the district and rural areas have the

potential to become catalyst of change by catering

to information needs of rural communities. This

will make works of library staff more challenging

and will create a new image for libraries to become

edutainment and infotainment centres. Libraries will

provide a more conducive learning environment for

the rural communities. Introducing new technologies

to rural libraries will bring the rural communities to

the mainstream of development and thereby making

a quantum leap into a new technological era.

State libraries should be developed as one stop

information centres for the local communities to get

information on the world news through internet.

Tourists too will be able to obtain information about

general information about the country, the local

communities and its famous tourist.

(b) Access to global illformatioll

Asia Pacific is fast becoming an economic growth

centre of the world. As Malaysia is located in the

heart of this region, it must take advantage of this

fast pace of economic development by tranforming

o~~----------------------~==~~

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the country into an industrialised information rich

society and thereby become competitive in the world

market. As Malaysia enters into the competitive

international markets. high quality products and

services are essential in order to carve out a market

niche. Production of high quality products and

services requires up-to-date information on standards and quality control procedures. [nformation and

knowledge are fa st becoming strategic resources

essential for the fumre development of Malaysia.

Today information resources are proliferating in the

form of databases. which can be accessed through

Internet and other commercial online services.

Access to global information and knowledge will

provide Malaysia with the competitive edge that is

required. [n the information technology era, libraries

can make invaluable contribution through the

provision of prompt . accurate and timely information

using latest technologies. Libraries and information

centres can playa pivotal role in facilitating access

to a host of online information services. Libraries

and information resource centres are able to support

the country's growing economy by utilising new

technologies in dissemination of information to the

relevant business organizations and public at large.

Libraries' goals should be to make information

available to everyone . everywhere. at anytime and

in the format required by the users. Internet is a

place where one can obtain information in the form

of text. images. and sound in almost any subject one

can think of. The Internet and its rich web sites is

an important tool for libraries to identify, source

and retrieve rei avant information required by library

users. Libraries can act as one stop information

centre by making available internet facilities at the

library premises.

(c) Intranet

Intranet is a network linking computers within own

organization. Intranet is a system of using www

SeAi/llr Perpu\:/u/';(ltlll

for internal information, presently used by business corporate sectors, to share corporate information

among their internal staff which are not and are not

for public consumption . Intranet is an interactive

corporate networks built with the same internet

standard.

To provide fast and efficient information services,

libraries need to have a good internal information

system for their own library, especially so when

there are branches located away from the

headquarters. Librarians need to keep in touch with

staff for fast decision making. At the same times

librarians need to communicate with staff of other

libraries for resource sharing or to keep in touch

with special groups of experts for consultations.

Intranet would allow staff to have quick access to its

own organization's information. Intranet allows staff

to refer to staff manual, rules and regulations,

costing, decisions on some issues relating to the

organization, new products and services not yet

avail abe to the public, etc . Intranet can also be

applied in library environment especially for

commmunication among library staff located at

different places (branches) for fast decision-making

and productivity. Libraries can communicate with

each other when undertaking certain common

projects or research, or librarians can - ve special

communication with selected users ego for Selected

Dissemination of Information services. With

Intranet, librarians will be able to share information

and establish effective collaborations between

workgroups, departments and libraries undertaking

similar projects .

(d) Developing local contents

Libraries can contribute towards enriching local

contents on the net by creating information databases

according to their core competencies, thus bringing

local contents knowledge and information to a wider

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audience be it, national or international. Malaysia

has rich cultural heritage. Some of them are

documented, however some are still in oral traditions.

There are also places of interest to the tourist which

are not known. By working together with relevant

agencies such as local muzium, historical societies,

local heads who are expert on local history and

cultural heritage, libraries can digitize these heritage,

systematically document it and make it available on

the net. Hence , it is possible to have a virtual

exhibition of Malaysian history and cultural heritage

made available to the local public as well a

international audiences.

Libraries should be able to gather relevant and vital

local information in the areas of education, current

local events, local business news, intergovernment

news, local political , historical figures , etc. In order

to do this effectively , Librarians must know how to

design and develop interesting local contents

databases/web sites. Libraries should develop web

sites which will entice users to visit the sites often.

The thrust of the Vision 2020 is to develop an

information-rich society. To be a information-rich

society, Malaysia must be continuously creating and

generating new information resources and knowledge

which can be shared and used by all. What is lacking

Seli.i/ar Perl}II .~/aknan

MASTlCLlNK, NSTP Onlilles and many other

bibliographic and fulltext databases, many of which

can be assessed through Internet. Recently, Sabah

announced that it Borneo Tribune will be made

available on the net. A number of institutions and

libraries in Malaysia are now beginning to create

their own homepages on Internet to promote their

services.

State libraries can act as a one stop information centre

for local and foreign tourists to know more about its

famous tourist spots. Libraries through its network

of state, district/branch and village libraries should

develop local multimedia tourist information

resources on the net.

Internet provides opportunities for these libraries to

leapfrog to a new era of information technologies

which allows networking and resources sharing on

an unprecedented scale. There are pockets of

databases developed by different institutions, some

of which can be made assessible through Internet.

Having local content databases on the net will

contribute to the enrichment of websites on local

information.

(e) Malaysian table-oJ-contents on the net

in Malaysia is the development of local content Presently, library users and researches use Index /0

databases which can be shared through networks and Malaysian Periodicals and other Malaysiana

be easily retrieved by anyone. Today information

is recognised as a valuable commodity. Value-added

information that are current and systematically

packaged are becoming central to the knowledge­

based economy of Malaysia. Therefore, Malaysia

must strive to formulate strategies for creating ,

marketing and delivering information products and

services that can be shared, taking advantage of the

Internet service and its WWW. Malaysia, for

example , has online services such as Civil Service

Link, SIRIMLlNK, PALM OlLIS, SITTDEC,

reference sources to source out information on Malaysia for research.

Malaysian Libraries should collaborate to produce

table-oJ-contents of major Malaysian journals and

selected Malaysiana publications/documents and

have them on the net. This will indirectly advertise

Malaysian sources of information and at the same

time encourage the international audience to read

and understand more about Malaysia from Malaysian

perspectives. Malaysian students abroad will be able

G-------------------------------------

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to do research on Malaysia by identifying articles

on subject oftJleir research. All requests for articles

should be entertained. Libraries should be able to

digitize it and sent it through the Internet. An

interactive and fast document delivery system should

be developed using internet as a medium for

transfering and delivery of information.

(f) Digitizatioll of local illformatioll

Libraries in Malaysia should plan for cooperative

collection, dccumention and digitization of local

history and other elements of our cultural heritage,

for reference and researh by future generations.

Where possible multimedia collection of these

historical and cultural heritage information should

be collected and maintained. Plan should be made

to have a virtual exhibition of our cultural heritage

on the net for easy access by researchers and the public from remote places. There are a lot of archival

materials which are kepI in print forms that need to

be digitized. Instead of using microform

technologies, library should explore the possibility

of having it digitized for easy retrieval and have it

transfer to the net when required.

(g) IIl/OTtaillment and etilltailllnellt celltre

By integrating information in print forms and audio

visual media on CD-ROM, access to Internet and

new entertaiJUnem such as video-on-demand, etc,

into library services, learning and acquisition of

knowledge can become interesting and entertaining.

The future library will be a repository of multimedia

digital publications and edutaiJU11ent programmes.

There will be less of foreign print materials as more

and more libraries worldwide are digitizing and

storing their national imprints in servers accessible

worldwide tJlrough internet. Instead of having rows

of shelves of prints materials, libraries will maintain

several servers and juke-boxes of CD-ROMs capable

Seli.ittlr Pl!rp"~/(lli.tla"

of delivering online information and accessible

through wide area networks. Library users also have

the option of having the information delivered in dIe

format of their choice. Librarians will no longer be

a custodian of print materials , but will act as network

information managers and database creators in their

own right.

(Iz) Illcubator services

Libraries can provide " incubator services" for

publishers or small business communities to use

library internet facilities to create their homepages

to promote and publicise their new publications,

products and services on the net. The Internet

provides a new and effective medium for marketing

library information products and services.

Another form of services that the library can

introduce is the "secretarial services ". Students,

small scale enterpreneurs and researchers will be

able to use computer facilities in the library for

producing their research projects. Library users will

be able to use internet e-mail facilities to interact

electronically with their colleagues, to participate in

electronic forums with their counterparts worldwide,

or to communicate widl dleir members of ~arliament

(wakil rakyat) at their local libraries. Such services

can be income generating activities for lit,raries.

(i) Video cOllferellcillg

The Internet can also used for broadcasting video

and audio data. Conference proceeding can be

telecast over the internet. The Multimedia Asia

Conference which was held at PWTC in August

was broadcasted to specific institutions where remote

participants were able to ask questions and interect

with paper presentors. The Conference was also

broadcasted on the net. The budget speech by the

Honourable Minister of Finance at the Parliament

----------~==~-===========~-----G

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on 25 August 1996 was made available on the net,

thereby those having the internet facilities will be

able to listen and refer back for future reference.

Training of library staff can also be captured by video

conferencing facilities. Lecturers can conduct

courses in the main libraries and trainees will be

able to participate in groups at other remote libraries.

Libraries having video conferencing facilities can

tap any major conferences held in the cities to make

it available to local users . Though the quality of

digital images over the I ntemet stiil needs to be

improved with better telecommunication system such

as the satellites, this will improved in the near future.

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TOWARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIGITAL

LIBRARIES

(a) The Advent of New Technologies

In the last decade, there have been tremendous

development in information technologies which have

impacted the information needs of the society in a

major way. The advent of new technologies such as

affordoble powerful micro computers/workstations, with massive storage and multimedia capabilities

have changed the way information is being processed

and delivered. There are portable computer with

internet facilities complete with antanna available in

the market today. It will not be long when web sites

from the internet can be retrieved via television

antennas.

The convergence of computers, telecommunicating

and massmedia will enrich the content of the WWW.

The continued development of standards such as

Z39.50, HTML, the protocol of the WWW will

ensure that technology platforms are becoming

interoperable . The convergence of the world's most

powerful technologies, computing,

Sekitllr Perptlstulitltlll

telecommunication and broadcasting will create a

new era of informedia. Informedia will be the

primary competitive weapon of the 21 st century. The

Infomedia Revolution will change the way people

work, play, entertain and conduct their everyday

lives. It will change the way children interact with

others and how they are educated (Koelsch , 1995).

Hence, libraries must cope and adapt to such development.

The emergence of scanning and digitization technologies allow photos and graphic documents

to be converted into digital formats. Digital Video Interactive (OVI) multimedia also allow storage of

a full motion video and audio on a single CD-ROM.

Information on CD-ROMs can be transfered to

servers so that it can be retrieved through LAN or

WAN. There are also the growth of public and private databases - bibliographic, numeric,

multimedia graphics which can be transmitted

through the global networks such as Internet. These

developments have great impact on libraries that

have been the centre for organizing and disseminating

knowledge and information. With the emergence

of commercial electronic publishing such as CO­

ROM publications, online publishing on the net,

libraries need to change their collection policies.

Resource sharing need to go beyond

transorganizational and transnational boundaries.

(b) The National Information Superinfrastructure (NIS)

Plans are underway to develop the National

Information Superinfrastructure (NIS) which aims

to create an integrated national information

infrastructure. This will include upgrading the

existing JARING connections and its geographical

coverage to enable equal access opportunities to

JARING and the Internet from any part of Malaysia.

The NIS will be the major telecommunication

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Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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backbone for the transfer and delivery of information across the nation. The NIS must ensure that all libraries and information centres in the nation, publishers, resea rch inst itutions , schools and universities, hospitals , museums, archives, and other cultural centres are connected. It should promote the local contents development. With more graphic information available on the net, the NIS requires more high handwith. Ilmust develop users demand for its products and services, thereby creating its marketplace. The NIS will be linked to the Global Information Infrastructure (GIl) which will pomote a global free flow of information. Internet and telecommunication has made it possible for us to share information among institutions and individuals around the world. This will lead to the development of a g!oballibrary village which is "a single library serving the world"

(c) Digital Satellite Broadcasting

T he arrival of digital satellite broadcasting transmitted directly fro m the Measat-I satellite through ASTRO-DTU (Asian Satellite Direct-to-U), enable Malaysian home viewers to have access to

more than 30 television and radio channels 24 hours a day. This can be done through installing a small 60cm sateEite disk and a Digital Satellite Receiver CDSR) in any area which has direct line sight to the MEASAT-I sate lli te. The Digital Satellite Broadcasting provides a vaflery of multimedia services in the marketplace. This service can also be introduced in libraries, with users being allowed to select some good educational and entertainment programmes to view, for research or other purposes. Introducing varieties of IT services will change the image of libraries from print focused libraries to multimedia edutainment centres.

(d) Wireless Technology

A high-quality and secure wireless technology which offers wireless personal communication services is

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underway . The wireless internet access gives new

opportunities for libraries to apply the technology

to introduce its services to remote village libraries

as well as for mobile libraries. Wireless technologies

is the best solution to keep library st:eff in touch

with library staff located at dispersed locations/

branches . However, presently the average speed

of 2Mbps is its major drawback of wireless

technologies for it is too slow for WWW browsing.

(e) The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)

The Multimedia Supercorridor will be the future

intelligent city of Malaysia. It is located in a area

within the radius of 15km by 40km area stretching

from the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport

(KLIA) in Sepang and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre

at Putrajaya. The MSC's vision to become a world­

class business location of the multimedia IT industry

in the future.

The Multimedia Supercorridor will provide an

environment that is condusive for emerging

multimedia industry. It will house knowledge­

intensive and information-intensive industries. It will

be the nerve centre for the development of Malaysia

as a globa~ digital economy anchored hy an

information-rich and knowledge-intensive society .

The centre will be the headquater for design and

direction for multimedia industries utilizing the

communication network. It strives to serve as a

multimedia hub that will be able to sell multimedia

products in the region and to the world. The MSC

potential applications will be in the areas of: Ca)

electronic government. It will provide such facilities

as multimedia conferencing , single window to

government through common database, multimedi?

citizen kiosk, and the use of multipurpose smart cards

for all transcaclions; Cb) public facilities such as

multimedia digital library , distance learning centres,

smart highway systems, electronic job billboards ,

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Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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etc, (c) business seclOr for telemarketing, remote

manufacturing, mu ltimedia content and software development.

The development of MSC will prompt other states

in Malaysia to set up its own IT city centres as a

multimedia information supercorridor as an avenne

for providing useful information to the general

public. Public libraries can become the gateway for

the general public in the states, to get to the

multimedia informalion developed at the MSC.

LIBRARIES OF THE FUTURE

In the digital age. the future of libraries will hinge

on links to the global superhighway. Libraries need

to develop "universal intelligent lIetworks" which

have the following characteristics:

(a) ability to understand and analyse each database

or web site contents rather than just browsing

relevant web sites for information sources;

(b) abil ity to repackage information pertaining to

key subject areas required by the library users

from different databases and WWW resources

thereby providing clls tomised/personali zed

services;

(c) allow library users to search the WWW sites

through planned user education programmes;

(d) develop a di rectory / inventory of Malaysian

web sites on a variety of subject areas relevant

to the users:

(e) develop local web sites information resources;

(f) allow online registeration of members, reference

enquiries, reservation and extension of loans,

request for docllment delivery services or inter

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library loan from remote places at anytime of the day;

(g) providing multimedia services from different

sources which are relevant to library users;

(h) develop local contents information resources

pertairting to one's own competencies which are

innovative, creative, frequently updated, have

an international flavour with delightful and

enticing content.

The digital libraries of the future will be a "repository

of digital knowledge and information" of local

information in their own core competencies, and that

these libraries are linked together into a single nation­

wide integrated digital library network which are

linked to global networks. Libraries will serve as

information gateways which will enable users to

access information no matter where it is located world

wide. The role of librarians is to retrieve pertinent

information required by users, to assist and direct

users to releve nt web s ites, and to use their

professional expertise to help users to navigate

effectively through the "jungles" of WWW.This

will facilitate self-directed learning among library

users. Libraries will be able to provide cLstomized

services such as SDI and current awareness services

to selected users thereby reducing their times in

searching for information. They will will be able

to concentrate in conducting professional research

activities.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

(a) Human Resource Development

In the era of globalization with world wide resource

available through internet, the winning library is

not the library that has the best collections but the

library that has the best team that can provide the

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Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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~ Sf!4illlr Per/JII .\IU4UUII

best library services using the available resources .

Library sta ff who are skilled and competent in

navigating the net and exploiting information

resources is one of the most strategic library

resources. Librarians are expected to increase the

usage of information technology and internet as an

enabling tools to increase productivity , efficiency

and competitiveness. This requires librarians with

multiskills. As web sites require frequent content

upgrading , librarians need to play a new role as

"webmaster" in content creation and enrichment

responsible for designing, developing , organizing

and enhancing local contents.

As an agent of change, a librarian in the digital age

should have the following skills and characteristics: (a) be scholarly and research oriented; (b) be an

information network navigator; (c) be a database

designer and creator; (d) have a public relation and

markerting approach in handling information

services; (f) be a trainer and facilitator; and (g) have

a global mind set. "To develop the best solutions,

one needs the best ideas, the best technology , and

the best people" (Larry Ellison). Therefore ,

librarians as people are the greatest asset that can

make it possible to establish a nation-wide multimedia digital library networks. Librarians must be creative

in designing loca l database and local contents

information resourccs. They need to change their

mindset, in terms of organization and delivery of

knowledge and information. In the digital era ,

libraries collections are not confined to collections

within the library premises. It extends to those

collections scattered in different web sites of major

libraries around the world. Libraries must be able

to consolidate key information from different sources

including global web sites and repackage pertinent

information relevant LO the users.

Therefore the success of JARINGAN ILMU depends

internet and optimize its use. Librarians must

constantly enhance their knowledge, competencies

and skills in search strategies to retrieve relevant

information from the net.

(b) User Education

In order to provide effective and efficient information

services, librarians must familiarize themselves with

all the web sites in their core competencies.

Librarians must build navigation tools such as

directories/inventories local web sites and in different

subject areas, guides to search strategies, and user

manual for optimum use of internet by library staff

and library users. Regular user education

programmes should be planned to teach user to

navigate and search for information from the WWW

effectively. A virtual user education programme

should be built into the libraries homepage. The internet can be demanding. Supervision and

monitoring are required to prevent users from

straying into undesirable web sites.

(c) Shorter IT product life cycle

Computer software and hardware have short product

life cycles. New software products with .dditional

features come and disappear in the market. It is

difficult for librarian to cope up with such a fast

pace of change. Before librarians can master a

particular software, a new version of the software

appears in the market, which make it hard for

librarians to be at the fore front of new technology

development. This challenges can be overcome to

a certain extend by attending products launches/

previews/seminars organized by vendors as often as

is possible.

(d) Financial constraints

on the ability of librarians to tap the fu ll potential of As more and more new information products appear

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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in the market, libraries encounter financial and

budget constraints. Acquisition and upgrading of

computer hardware and software requires financial

investmem, which also include investment providing

training and retraining staff in the new technologies.

One way to build worldclass library services is to

collaborate not to compete. Resource sharing is

important. Collection building of library resources

should take into consideration the availability of

documents from the net and the possibility of

obtaining the documems through online request for

document delivery services from distant library.

Advances in satellite technologies and

telecommunication has led to exponential increase

in the publication of material a variety. Library

budgets are strained as it strive to meet the escalating

costs of library materials and increasing users

expectation.

(e) Security

Librarians needs to be concerned with security which

include hacker incidents , computer viruses, online

thefts. These require librarians to apply security

measures to ensure optimum protection for the

networks and the web sites especially so when

libraries are now encouraging their users to have

access to internet. Some computer industries have

introduced encryption and cryptography for detection

of computer frauds. Firewall are installed to protect

databases especially those containing confidential items. Firewall can prevent unwanted entry and

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sharing and to define statewide collection

development, especially in the acquiring CD-ROM

titles which are expensive. Libraries need to redefine

and reposition their roles, and shift their focus on

timely information delivery. It requires rearranging

library priorities. Librarians in the information age

should concentrate more on access to information

from various sources and web sites instead of

emphasizing acquisition and ownership of

collections. The philosophy and methodology for

delivery information are changing from just-in-case

to just-in-time. Libraries should consider to the use

of acquisition budget to fund utilization of

commercial document delivery services. Some

libraries have introduced "access budget" instead

of "acquisition budget"

(g) Legal issues

In order to safeguard Malaysian intellectual property

and to safeguards library against frauds,the

government is planning to introduce the first

Malaysian CyberJaws to govern the new

technologies. This will be tabled in the Parliament

soon. The law covers" Acts which are: (a) tile Digital Signature Act which will address the

verification of contracts and agreements signed across

a computer network or the internet ; (b) The

Multimedia Convergence Act will regulate issues

involving intellectual property protection in an

environment where products or services would be

sourced from various media; (c) the Computer Crime

keep data secured. However. library policies and Act, will be an amendment to the existing act to

procedures must be arranged to ensure that librarians protect computer crime, and; (d) Telemedicine

and users adhere to the security regulations at all Development Act which will oversee legal issues in

times. the practice of telemedicine.

if) Access vs. OwnerShip

Formalized library consortia should be developed

to enhance effectiveness of sta tewide resource

(h) Preservation of website contents

Malaysian information sources available on tile net

which are frequently updated will create immence

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

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preservation problems. How can we trace the history

of the document and ils contents when information

is constantly evolving and changing?

Stalldards

Presently thaI is no standard for developing graphic

user interface (GUI) for Malaysia.n libraries to refer

to. Therefore, libraries create their own graphic

user interfaces, when creating their homepages or multimedia databases. However, TFLA Standing

Committee on Information Technology is now developing a GUI slandards which can be a good

source for Malaysian libraries to refer to in the near

future.

Seliilur Perplt\IUJ.UUIl

CONCLUSION

The future of JARINGAN ILMU lies in the hands of librarians who will be able to tap the potential of internet and make full use of its services. The success

of JARINGAN ILMU depends on what you plan as librarians , make and create out of it. Librarians must integrate JARINGAN ILMU with other IT products and services. For librarian to continue their roles as information managers , they should be proactive in providing information services and delivering information products utilizing the existing new technologies. A strategic plan for library services should be collaboratively developed, leading libraries toward the creation of a nation-wide of an

integrated digital libraries.

REFERENCES

CAMERON. Debra. The world wide web: strategies and opportunities for business. Charleston, South Caroline: Computer Technology Research Corp. 1996.

COMPUTLMES. Kuala Lumpur: The New Straits Times Press, 1991 -. {Twice weeklyl.

CLUTTERBUCK. David. Information 2000: insight into the coming decades into information technology. London: Pitman PubliShing, 1989.

HATVANY , Bela. Tmvards 1I \VorldlVide library. IFLA JOURNAL 22 (1966): p.246-247.

KOELSCH, Frank. The Infomedia revolution: holV it is changing our world alld yOllr life. Toronto: McGraw-hili Ryerson, 1995.

MOHAM ED Arif Nun. Putrajaya - rhe ifllelligetlf cicy: a strategy towards the digital economy. Paper presented at the Infolech Malaysia '95 at Putra World Trade Cenrre, Kuala Lumpur, 1-3 November, I 995.

PLANNING gobal information in!rastfllcture. Edited by Ching-chill Chen. New Jersey: Ablex Publishing Corporation, 1995.

REUSS, Diant!. Changing strategies fo r ill formation delivery: theory into practice. Journal of Interlibrary Loan, Document Delivery and Information Supply. 5(. ) 1995: p 43-50. .

SHAHAR Sanun laafar. Exploiting gLobal illformatioll resources through JARINGAN ILMU. Paper presented at (he Infotech Malaysia '95 at the Putera World Trade Centre on 1-3 November 1995.

SHAHAR Banun laafar. Feeling the pulses of the lIatioll: assessing information needs for national developmem. Paper preseIHed at the Tenth Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL X) with the theme Libraries in National Development held in Kuala Lumpur on 21-25 May, 1996. Kuala Lumpur: CONSAL X. 1996.

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

Hakcipta Terpelihara © 1996 - Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia