,INS2701 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 2 2025 (736649) - DUE 15 August
2025
Imagine you are a librarian in a developing country where
access to technology and
digital resources is limited due to financial constraints. Your
library serves a diverse
population including students, researchers, and the general
public, many of whom do
not own personal computers or have reliable internet access at
home. The library
has been struggling to afford proprietary software for managing
digital resources,
providing online cataloguing, and offering research tools to
users. Many patrons face
challenges in accessing e-books, journals, and digital archives
because of expensive
subscription-based platforms. A non-profit organization has
recently offered to help
integrate Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) solutions to
enhance the library's
, digital services. As a library and information science expert, you
are tasked with
identifying specific ways in which FOSS can help bridge the
digital divide in your
library and community.
1.1. Considering the scenario above, discuss how Free and
Open-Source Software
(FOSS) can help bridge the digital divide within the context of
library and information
services. Provide practical examples to support your answer.
[15]
1.2. Discuss key drawbacks of proprietary software
implementation in the context of
library and information science, particularly in developing
countries. [10]
(25)
Question 2
Information and communication technology has had a profound
impact on Library and
Information Science (LIS) and related services in the 21st
century. This impact has
Semester 2 2025 (736649) - DUE 15 August
2025
Imagine you are a librarian in a developing country where
access to technology and
digital resources is limited due to financial constraints. Your
library serves a diverse
population including students, researchers, and the general
public, many of whom do
not own personal computers or have reliable internet access at
home. The library
has been struggling to afford proprietary software for managing
digital resources,
providing online cataloguing, and offering research tools to
users. Many patrons face
challenges in accessing e-books, journals, and digital archives
because of expensive
subscription-based platforms. A non-profit organization has
recently offered to help
integrate Free and Open-Source Software (FOSS) solutions to
enhance the library's
, digital services. As a library and information science expert, you
are tasked with
identifying specific ways in which FOSS can help bridge the
digital divide in your
library and community.
1.1. Considering the scenario above, discuss how Free and
Open-Source Software
(FOSS) can help bridge the digital divide within the context of
library and information
services. Provide practical examples to support your answer.
[15]
1.2. Discuss key drawbacks of proprietary software
implementation in the context of
library and information science, particularly in developing
countries. [10]
(25)
Question 2
Information and communication technology has had a profound
impact on Library and
Information Science (LIS) and related services in the 21st
century. This impact has
