Involvement of non-professionals in cataloguing: a survey of practices in three academic libraries in Nigeria

The study examined the involvement of non-professionals in cataloguing practices in three academic libraries in Nigeria. Twenty five respondents comprising current cataloguers and those who had worked as cataloguers were used for the study. A descriptive survey method using a self-constructed questionnaire was used. Four research questions were posed and analysed using frequency counts and percentages. Results showed that the involvement of non-professionals in cataloguing is fast becoming a reality, with one university library depending more on non-professionals while the other two showed less dependence on them. Methods adopted by these libraries to ensure quality control include close supervision by professionals, training non-professionals in copy cataloguing, and designation of a librarian to constantly edit the catalogue for possible re-cataloguing. The use of prepared worksheets by librarians to be keyed in by non-professionals is the least used strategy. Other major findings include changes in cataloguing practices which comprise online cataloguing, cataloguing of Internet resources and electronic files, copy-cataloguing, different metadata structures, introduction of OPAC and the involvement of non-professionals in cataloguing practices. Outsourcing, procurement of ICT, employment of Systems Engineers as part of library staff, attendance of workshops and conferences among others were some of the strategies adopted to cope with these changes; however, the application of ICT was the most frequently used strategy. The study concluded that cataloguing practices in the libraries sampled have witnessed changes as a result of the application of ICT in organizing library materials which has in turn changed the role of cataloguers from merely providing bibliographic details of materials to that of supervision and other administrative functions, and in order to maintain relevance, librarians have been forced to build capacity in the area of ICT

Comparing the Cataloguing of Indigenous Scholarships: First Steps and Findings

This paper provides an analysis of data collected on the continued prevalence of outdated, marginalizing terms in contemporary cataloguing practices, stemming from the Library of Congress Subject Heading term “Indians” and all its related terms. Using Manitoba Archival Information Network’s (MAIN) list of current LCSH and recommended alternatives as a foundation, we built a dataset from titles published in the last five years. MAIN’s list contains 1,091 LCSH relating to Indigenous Peoples, ranging from demographic descriptors (e.g. Ojibwa Indians.) to broader concepts such as legal matters and literature (e.g. Ojibwa philosophy.). This dataset shows a wide distribution of LCSH used to catalogue fiction and non-fiction, with outdated but recognized terms like “Indians of North America—History.” appearing the most frequently and ambiguous and offensive terms like “Indian gays.” appearing throughout the dataset. This paper discusses two primary problems with the continued use of current LCSH terms: they are ambiguous and limit the effectiveness of an institution’s catalog, and these terms do not reflect the way Indigenous Peoples, Nations, and communities in North America prefer to represent themselves as individuals and collectives. These findings support those of parallel scholarship on the effects of knowledge organization practices on works on Indigenous topics and provide a foundation for further work. The initial findings of our research suggest that these terms have continued to be used heavily across North America in the last five years, regardless of evolving scholarship and increased representation of Indigenous authors in both popular and scholarly publishin

APPLICATION OF ICT TO CATALOGUING AND CLASSIFICATION FOR EFFECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL IN THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

The study examines the application of information and communication technology (ICT) to cataloguing and classification for effective bibliographic control, with a focus on the National Library of Nigeria as the bibliographic control agency of the nation. The study was guided by six objectives. The research design adopted was survey research method. Population of study was 33 cataloguers, while the sampling technique was complete census of cataloguers in the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), as the population was manageable. The instrument for data collection was structured questionnaire, comprising forty-two item statements in six clusters. Method of data analysis involved the use of statistical tools like frequency table, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that the NLN highly adopts various forms of cataloguing practices like quality, original, copy and centralized cataloguing, while online cataloguing and outsourcing are not adopted. The findings also revealed that there is low effectiveness of the NLN in application of ICT to its cataloguing and classification practices. The extent of adoption of library software packages revealed high extent in the use of only CDS-ISIS. The finding on ICT knowledge and skills of cataloguers revealed high extent of computer and internet skills, and low extent on other items, while extent of application of ICT knowledge and skills to cataloguing and classification practices revealed low extent. The findings also revealed that the challenges of application of ICT to cataloguing and classification of information resources involve inadequate funding, lack of adequate infrastructural facilities, incessant power supply, lack of internet facility and inadequate bandwidth, lack of vendor technical support, lack of maintenance culture and lack of adequate training for staff, among others. The study therefore recommended among others, that the National Library of Nigeria should adopt the use of online cataloguing in addition to other forms so as to avoid or reduce backlog; Cataloguers in the NLN should improve on their effectiveness in application of ICT to cataloguing and classification practices; NLN should adopt the use of library software packages and equally solicit vendor support; the Federal government of Nigeria should improve on funding of the National Library, while the NLN should prudently use the available fund to acquire and maintain ICT infrastructure; ensure regular power supply, provide internet facility and adequate bandwidth; and provide opportunity for adequate staff training on ICT skills. The study however concluded that application of ICT to cataloguing and classification of information resources enhances effective bibliographic control, thus, there is need for the National Library of Nigeria to overcome every obstacle that hinders application of ICT to cataloguing and classification practices

Lumps in the clump: more stirring required?

This article discusses the issue of barriers to interoperability within networked information retrieval systems, using the projects CAIRNS (the Co-operative Academic Information Retrieval Network for Scotland) and SCONE (Scottish Collections Network Extension) to illustrate this problem, and methods which can be employed to enhance interoperability

Rethinking Cataloguing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The study upon which this article is based was to explore the Cataloguing Practices in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Libraries (CCTML). Cataloguing is a structured arrangement of the bibliographic details of all the information sources available in a library. It produces an inventory that serves as access points to the library resources. Focus group discussion and document analysis were used to collect data. The findings revealed some missing data on the catalogue records. Quality control mechanism used was peer review. The study recommended introduction of artificial intelligence in cataloguing to minimize human error and enhance production and the quality of the catalogue. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Cataloguing; Cataloguing robots; Fourth industrial revolution

Rethinking Cataloguing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

The study upon which this article is based was to explore the Cataloguing Practices in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Libraries (CCTML). Cataloguing is a structured arrangement of the bibliographic details of all the information sources available in a library. It produces an inventory that serves as access points to the library resources. Focus group discussion and document analysis were used to collect data. The findings revealed some missing data on the catalogue records. Quality control mechanism used was peer review. The study recommended introduction of artificial intelligence in cataloguing to minimize human error and enhance production and the quality of the catalogue. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Cataloguing; Cataloguing robots; Fourth industrial revolution

Cataloguing for the year 2000: continuity and innovation in a changing environment

During the last five years the bibliographic services function at the Library and Information Service of Curtin University has undergone an extensive process of restructuring, aimed chiefly to rationalise costs and encourage cooperative action. At the same time the technological environment has been and continues to be systematically upgraded. This paper examines the impact of these changes on cataloguing practices and workflows. Topics covered include: the history of cataloguing at Curtin, the impact of technological change on cataloguing practice, the use of multiple sources of MARC records and implications for authority control, the question of tailored records for specific user groups, the development of electronic statistics gathering, automated quality control, selection of material for outsourcing and the redistribution of cataloguing tasks

Artists’ books in HE teaching and learning

Learning resource, teaching collection, study collection, research collection or special collection: a historical collection of artists’ books like that at Chelsea College of Art & Design Library can (and probably, has) been used and referred to in all these different ways, at different times, responding to changes in education, audiences, users, etc. The focus on research within universities has led, over time, to a narrow view of such collections and their use primarily as research material, often to the detriment of their use in teaching and learning. With the rebalancing in recent years of the importance of these activities, seen again as central to the mission of Higher Education (HE), a re-evaluation of the use of special collections, and specifically artists’ books collections, to enhance and improve the quality of learning and teaching activities, is required