Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the least developing countries, which have been facing a lot of obstacles in introducing information technology in all information-related sectors, especially in its libraries and information centers. This current work is centered on the northern part of Bangladesh, perceived to be worse hit in terms of inadequacy of the application of information technology (IT) in library and information centers, when compared with the capital city of Bangladesh. Therefore, this research work, made with a full study plan and procedures seeks to investigate the environment, identify barriers and explore possibilities of improving IT application in libraries. The study took into account the various systems, services, problems and prospects of these selected libraries. Besides this, the study also showed how to improve the entire condition and services of these libraries by adopting modern technology such as information technology (computer, fax, e-mail,) including provision of phone, photocopier, television, microfiche, microfilm etc. This investigation will reveal the entire condition of these libraries including the problems encountered by them in applying information technology and put forward necessary recommendation, which may be helpful in improving their services in information dissemination process.

Key words: Information technology (IT), library service, library and information science, information centers.