Usefulness of digital and traditional libraries in higher education

Abstract

Due to the role of information and communication technologies (ICT), libraries are in a process of fundamental changes. Digital library is a rather new concept in higher education in Pakistan. The aim of this study is to explore the role of library in higher education from a student’s perspective and to get the answers on this question: “How is the digital library useful for higher education students as compared to the traditional manual library?” In this qualitative study, data had been collected (from three colleges of Foundation University, Islamabad) with face to face, semi-structured interviews from twelve students. Data were analysed according to the four factors described in our conceptual framework. Students have to physically visit a traditional library when one can access digital library from one’s computer. Searching has become fast on a digital library as compared to a traditional library. Although digital library provides easy access, fast search and a lot of related materials but the feeling of holding a book and intellectual environment of traditional libraries cannot be replaced by digital libraries.