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This article is presented by:
Raji Ayodele Kamaldeen
Department of computer Science,
Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

ABSTRACT
The advancement in the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) engendered by the invention of the Internet and related telecommunications infrastructures is impacting on virtually all sphere of human endeavor. Computers usually top the list of equipments used in various research fields such as Science, Engineering and Humanity. Technological and social developments that began in the late 20th century have fundamentally altered the ways libraries accomplish their traditional missions of selecting, organizing, preserving, and providing access to information stored in the libraries. Nowadays, Libraries of all types are experiencing a period of radical change, electronic sources of information and low-cost microcomputers have introduced unprecedented changes to the services and operations of modern libraries. These changes, especially the rapid spread of the Internet have reshaped the feasibility and economics of information distribution so radically that they have permanently altered the ways in which librarians perform their work. This seminar paper is on the significance of Digital Library in various learning environment. The paper also discussed the factors that will necessitate the traditional libraries to get digitized and the basic facilities to keep the technology functioning , as well as the definition, need, benefits and the problems of digital libraries, the requirement for building a digital library etc. Finally, some examples of existing either multi-disciplinary online collections or very large specialized digital libraries and their website addresses were given.

Computing trends that began in the 1980s have enabled low-cost digital storage of information, rapid transmission of data across computer networks, and sophisticated retrieval and processing of electronic documents and information. Information and Communication Technology has revolutionized the concept of libraries. Each and every library is slowly getting digitized. A 'digital library' comprises digital collections, services and infrastructure to support lifelong learning, research, scholarly communication as well as preservation and conservation of our recorded knowledge.

A library is an organized collection of items of various formats along with the services to make them available to a given user group or groups. The International Encyclopedia of Information and Library Science (1997) defined Library as “a collection of material organized for use”. Aguolu and Aguolu (2002) also defined Library as “a social institution, created to conserve knowledge, preserve the cultural heritage, provide information, undergird and underpin education and research, and serve as fountain of recreation”. Library is usually considered an importance and integral component of any high quality research institution. It is where people have access to numerous materials in order to improve their knowledge in various disciplines and to improve intellectual properties.

People also use library resources to gain information about personal interests or to obtain recreational materials such as films and novels. Students use libraries to supplement and enhance their classroom experiences, to learn skills in locating sources of information, and to develop good reading and study habits. Public officials use libraries to research legislation and public policy issues.

However, the advent of computers and the Internet has brought changes to various human endeavors especially on the issue of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). There is need to digitalized the library so as to meet the current trend in Information Technology (IT). Tocci, et al., (2007) define Digital system as a combination of devices designed to manipulate logical information or physical quantities that are represented in digital form. Rapidly rising costs of printed materials have led many libraries to invest in relatively cost-effective online resources. Increasingly, libraries have computer facilities for searching the library’s collections, reading CD-ROMs, accessing the Internet, and researching online databases.