From Cave Paintings to Virtual Web-based Information Resources: Expedition of Library Collection Formats

Abstract

Abstract The study confers the trends in information storage mediums offered by libraries i.e. collection formats to bring to light the development and advancement in the formats of collection from cave paintings to the virtual web-based information resources. In the beginning, information storage formats tend to be crude and rough in response to the available demand for information as well as the technique available, to store and preserve information that ultimately were most apt to the libraries rationale in that particular era. However, with the passage of time a progression of incessant transformations together with latest technology inputs transformed the formats of collection besides adding a range of features to the contemporary formats. Moreover, with the advent of information technology (IT), particularly web-based technologies revolutionized the idea of collection formats and paved way for novel format known as e-resources that require information and communication technology (ICT) based gadgets for access. Consequently, at present the e-resources particularly web-based resources have changed libraries from gateways of owned collections to casement on the global intellect and acquaintance for better communication of ideas and information among library uses. The haul-up of the simple collection formats was imperative to carry on with the resourceful information requirements of the extensively tech-savvy library users. Keywords: Library, library collection, formats of collection, cave paintings, clay tablets, print collection, e-resources, web-based resources, ICT Cite this Article Sumaira Jan, Shabir Ahmad Ganaie. From cave paintings to virtual web-based information resources: expedition of library collection formats. Journal of Advancements in Library Sciences. 2015; 2(3): 57–70p.