READIT-2007 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Role of Libraries in the Knowledge Commodity World
K V Satyanarayana*, Sheetal Tare *
Abstract
Libraries have been dealing with information technology for nearly four decades and it has
touched every aspect of library services, for example; circulation, reference, cataloging and so on. With the
evolution of the Internet, the change is happening at a very rapid pace. Usages of online services have
reached a frenetic pace. Information that was earlier available through books, journals in libraries or
high-cost databases is now available on the Web, sometimes free of cost. This has led to commoditization of
knowledge with information available anywhere, anytime and barriers to access of knowledge have started
disappearing. A small percentage of information is freely available on the Web while there is still a vast
pool of information available with a price and the options for end-users have increased manifold. Indeed,
users seem to be comfortable searching the Web by using Google and other search engines, rather than
visiting the library. This has created a paradigm shift for libraries. Libraries are now focusing on adding
value by 1) Suggesting sources to users and providing remote access to library sources, 2) Providing
assistance through evaluating authenticity, 3) Enhancing the quality of content for users and 4) Provide
domain specific information services.
1. INTRODUCTION
Today, knowledge is primary resource in organizations and society is moving
from being information society to knowledge society. Organizations are practicing and
implementing knowledge management techniques and technologies to improve their
efficiency, effectiveness and stay in the competition. Knowledge is becoming
commoditized in this globalized world and rapid growth of technology is intensifying
such attempts. Knowledge has not been produced in any factory, but it taken different
shapes, packaged, distributed, sold, shared, and used. The resulting learning is again
reapplied to create new knowledge and leading to new knowledge commodity. Indeed,
knowledge became externalized from knower and its utility is linked with its perceived
value to customers. Rapid advances in technology are further reducing the barriers to
direct access to information/knowledge in corporate and academic library settings. Thus
libraries are forced to adopt business models to survive and continuously add value to
customer services.
2. COMMODITIZATION OF INFORMATION/KNOWLEDGE
Before the arrival of World Wide Web, access to information was predominantly
though books. Journals, CD-ROMs and some time through paid online databases. These
resources generally used to exist in Libraries and users are restricted by lack of multiple
copies, reference collection and/or high cost of these sources. With internet growth,
access to information has changed and many such collections are now available on the
web in the electronic format. Now information is available both in structured and nonstructured
format on the web. Not only publishers, professional organization but
* Tata Consultancy Services. (Pune), k.satyanarayana, sheetal.tare @tcs.com,
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