https://insight.piscomed.com/index.php/II/issue/feedInsight - Information2025-03-20T03:53:26+00:00Managing Editoreditorial@piscomed.comOpen Journal Systems<table> <tbody> <tr> <td style="vertical-align: top;" align="justify"><em>Insight-Information</em> aims to bring together the best new research addressing social, organisational and managerial aspects of digital systems and new information Technologies. It publishes work from all disciplinary, theoretical and methodological perspectives. The expected audience are researchers, scholars, teachers and advanced students in the fields of Information Systems and Information Science, as well as IT developers, consultants, software vendors, and senior IT executives seeking an update on current experience and future prospects in relation to contemporary information and communications technology. The scope of the journal includes strategy, change, infrastructure, human resources, sourcing, system development and implementation, communications, technology developments, technology futures, national policies and standards, as well as topics that advance understanding and application of research approaches and methods.</td> <td width="150px"> <div id="issn_section"><img src="/public/site/images/admin/II_cover_1.png"><br><span class="issn_num"><span class="issn_num">ISSN:2661-4081(O</span></span><span class="issn_num">)</span><br><br><img src="/public/site/Open_Access.png" alt="" height="20px"></div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>https://insight.piscomed.com/index.php/II/article/view/717Open access and the digital divide: Challenges and opportunities for libraries in the ICT era2025-03-20T03:53:26+00:00Umar Aliyuumaraliyu27@gmail.comMohammed Nura Musanure4it@gmail.comAbdulbaisu Muhammed Rabiuabdulbaisumrabiu@gmal.comJibril Hussein Kawurekawurejibreel@live.comShamsu Dauda Ringimumaraliyu27@gmail.comAminu Adamu Ahmedaaahmed.pg@atbu.edu.ng<p>Open access (OA) and the digital divide pose opportunities as well as challenges for libraries in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) age. By removing financial barriers, open access programs seek to democratize access to scholarly knowledge; yet, the digital divide is nonetheless made worse by differences in internet accessibility and digital skills, especially in underprivileged places. In order to better understand how libraries might serve as intermediaries in closing the digital gap, this review looks at how open access affects library services. The financial viability of open access models, disparities in user digital literacy, and unequal access to technology are some of the main obstacles. On the other hand, opportunities present themselves as libraries make use of their resources to offer assistance, training, and digital content access, creating a welcoming atmosphere for information exchange. Libraries can significantly contribute to improving information fairness and empowering underserved communities by supporting open access. The analysis ends with suggestions for how libraries may advance open access projects and bridge the digital divide by forming strategic alliances and putting creative outreach programs into place.</p>2024-12-31T00:00:00+00:00Copyright (c) 2024 Author(s)