Towards The Digital Library Environment:ICTs Status In National Libraries Of Asean Countries

Libraries are starting of using Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for library automation and then introducing digital library services. In the developing countries, such as ASEAN countries, except Singapore, other countries are still trying and developing the digital library application. With the invention of ICT, libraries now use various types of technologies to aid the services they render.Everyday new technologies advances affect the way information is handled in libraries and information centers. With regard the present conditions of using ICT based library services and activities by the national libraries in ASEAN countries and ICTs to the development of digital library environment are revealed that according to the topics of interest and need identified by the institution or library level.A questionnaire was the only research instrument used to collect the data. Both closed and open-ended questions were used in the questionnaire with the aim to get quantitative as well as qualitative data. E-mail question was the approach used to collect data for the study. The participated country of this study includes directors/heads of national libraries from 5 out of 10 member countries of ASEAN. The entire respondents of the study were 6, of whom had completed and returned questionnaire.The finding of this study has showed that there is library automation were fully automated and or still in the process of automation needs to be completed in their core activities in these libraries. The return indicated, most of the national libraries provided with ICT based library services for patrons and there have a long way to develop that many libraries had already taken their library services.Finding are also revealed an adequate ICT infrastructure with a sufficient number of networked and Internet connected workstations are essential if a library is to offer access to e-resources and develop e-services.Results also indicated while that the majority of the libraries as well as ICT support staff are working with LIS and Computer Science background in their library functions. With regard the ICT support staff would be needed to handle the automation and assist user in meeting their information needs effectively.With regards to the use of ICT in libraries has not made the situation any better; the study has revealed that most libraries do not have adequate budget for ICTs. Use of ICT facilities in libraries depends on an adequate funding for hardware, software purchase and maintain contrasts, upgrading of hardware/software system, telecommunications and subscriptions costs to e-resources.The findings have further suggested that the situation is not that simple, there are several factors that are also required for provision of e-library or digital library services, in order to have a policy of support in the provision of access to information resources and services, budgeting for management and promotional activity/project support and development of digital content by the library.