Rajni Bala

Information is a Latin word .it is an assemblage of data in comprehensible form which is capable of communication. This may range from content in any format-written or printed on paper, stored in electronic databases, collected on the internet etc.-to the personal knowledge of staff of an  organization .information is a term that covers many inter-related activities which use the skills of librarianship.

In the 21st century information management, knowledge management, knowledge economy has touched new heights because of the arrival of digital libraries, virtual   libraries and Internet. Sometimes information till it is published it becomes obsolete and outdated. In the modern era knowledge is not for few people it is for every one irrespective of caste, class, religion, race etc. You need not to visit library. Information is available just a click of button on computer through internet and Information is at your doorsteps. Digital libraries and virtual libraries have brought revolution in our life and infused new blood.

Digital libraries are libraries without walls .you does not need to open pages of books or looking information on the shelves of library. Information retrieval is easy in the Digital and virtual libraries. Earlier methods included comprehensive classification, cataloguing and searching databases by various mechanical means. Now they are replaced by electronic methods. Modern retrieval depends on searching full text data bases, locating items from bibliographic databases and document supply via a network.

 In the recent times biggest challenge in fostering a virtual community is supply of knowledge willingness to share with other members. No single organization or individual knows everything It needs to know…..global understanding is very vital because it  creates a process for sharing information between two people ,Group of people, state and nation or with the other countries so that parties which are sharing information having more global understanding of issues and concerns. Erasmus, the 16th century follower of western humanism dreamed of, a library without limits and his dream was prompted by the invention of printing press. Now a day’s digital libraries, virtual libraries turned his dreams in to reality once dreamed by Erasmus and rapid growth of WWW has given us foretaste of things to come. Where ever we are, whenever we wish information just a button away. Libraries without limits provide opportunity for all irrespective of geographical limits and local conditions. Virtual library that can be explored by with access to internet. Information superhighway is a network to link organizations, business, individuals, universities, college, government etc. to all. Flow of information can ignite young minds with fires of discovery. It unfolds intellectual resources across the state to help all those who wish to take a dip in the ocean of knowledge and information. those who want to expand their visions and prepare themselves  for unknown future .As said by tony Blair(former prime minister of UK) that information economy is future economy .I think whole world must understand meaning and vision behind this statement .we have entered in to the knowledge based society. Global understanding, co-operation, trust is a remedy and a way for making the flow of information effective and fast.  Global understanding includes ability to respect different perspectives. We must encourage and appreciate interconnectedness of local and global communication. Open access publishing can play a vital role in disseminating both research knowledge and other information. If the university keep the new knowledge behind the wall and offer limited access to it. They have overlooked their duties to society and if the government officials who make decisions regarding university functioning for research and dispersal of research knowledge. They do not see that new scientific innovative use of new ideas the availability of knowledge to those who need it I feel they are creating barriers for the flow of information and neglecting their duties .I feel that global understanding and high level of trust among all nations of the world is must and most important.

In contemporary time we are facing new challenges, new subjects are adding in the universe of knowledge. Librarian and information officers should prepare themselves for accepting new challenges under the umbrella of digital and virtual libraries. Librarians and Information officers must be updated and have sharp visions .They can make flow of information smooth, speedy and relevant. For achieving that purpose we need trained, professionally qualified and expert staff with potentials that will certainly help the user for getting right information. They are bridge for giving right information to the right person at the right time. Internet is tool for the dissemination of information to the people .For sending the knowledge and information in every corner of the world. Access to the digital or virtual libraries should be cheap or free of cost especially to the developing nations. This will result in the optimum utilization of the information and turn the world in a global village. Information retrieval will become speedy and easy in today’s busy world. In modern times information users do not have much time for searching information in books. So their first tool is to look for the information on the internet so flow of information crossing borders is most important and it is dire need of today’s knowledge based society.

FROM

RAJNI BALA

HOUSE NO-2646, SECTOR-71

MOHALI   ,PIN CODE  160071

PUNJAB (INDIA)

CELL NO:0091-9878935721

 mithuin@yahoo.com