Big Data and Libraries: Prophecy of Vannever Bush

P Ramkumar; . Kannan

P Ramkumar Librarian, Srimath Sivagnana Balaya Swamigal Tamil Arts and Science College, Mailam-
. Kannan University Assistant Librarian, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore-

Keywords: Big Data, Memex, Web Usage Mining, Knowledge Discovery in libraries

Abstract

The concept of Big Data was proposed as memex device and set of functions in 1945 by Vannever Bush who is remembered in MIT (USA) as an academic celbrity. Big Data by being customer centric is an innovation for business enterprises which aim to market products and services to customers while maximizing the profit of the organizations. Libraries are non-profit oriented service organizations with striking similarities to business transactions. Metadata and Library User Weblog/usage mining are potential areas for exploration to qualify library’s participation in the Big Data trend. The prophecy of Vannever Bush has come true though the library model, he used to explain his memex concept is yet to see the light of the day. Library community has to come alive with plans and programmes.