Use of Internet Facilities and Metadata as Precursors to Electronic Resource Cataloguing In Selected University Libraries In South-Western Nigeria

The study examined use of internet facilities and metadata as precursors to electronic resource cataloguing in selected academic libraries in South-West Nigeria. Six University libraries were randomly selected. One hundred (100) respondents comprising current cataloguers and those who had worked as cataloguers were sampled for the study. A descriptive survey method using a self constructed questionnaire was used. Six research questions and one null hypothesis were raised and tested using descriptive and inferential statistics of frequency counts, percentages, mean and Pearson correlation. Results show that there is a significant relationship in the use of internet facilities and metadata in cataloguing electronic resources. Other major findings include: high availability of CD-ROMs, electronic journals and web resources in the selected libraries, high availability of the internet, cataloguing modules and Online Public Access (OPAC) and high usage of internet facilities such as the E-mail, web browsing and Discussion forums. The respondents signified that the internet has helped in reducing their workload and the metadata in use in the library is very suitable for cataloguing electronic resources. There was a significant relationship between the use of internet facilities and metadata in cataloguing electronic resources (r = .298, P<.01). The importance of ICT in cataloguing activities cannot be overemphasized. Academic libraries need to equip their cataloguing sections with adequate ICT facilities. It is recommended that academic libraries provide internet bandwidth that is sufficient enough to carry out various tasks in the cataloguing sections and also attract sophisticated users. This could be achieved by acquiring VSAT meant only for the library instead of sharing with other units in their parent institutions. It is also recommended that there should be an action plan for the maintenance of IT facilities to forestall breakdowns and malfunctioning of the facilities. Some facilities such as computers and scanners needs to be changed or upgraded as the need arise

Training Cataloguers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Era to Promote Research Best Practices in University of Calabar

This study investigated training Cataloguers in ICTs era to promote research best practices in University of Calabar. One hundred copies of questionnaire were purposively distributed to professionals and paraprofessionals in University of Calabar Library with an instruction that only those who had performed cataloguing and classification services should respond. On retrieval only 21 usable copies were found and analyzed for this study. Result from the study reveal that Cataloguers are very few in University of Calabar and among the few (21), 17 have already worked for up to 15years and above while only 4 have worked for 4years. Study reveal that Cataloguers mostly get training through personal efforts and only two cataloguers have received University sponsorship for cataloguing and classification. It is also revealed that Cataloguers have many skills to learn through training in ICTs.The challenges militating against their participation include; high cost of training, lack of organization sponsorship and poor implementation of Institution staff development policy. The paper thus recommends an urgent stepping up for training Cataloguers in ICTs based skills, because of the dearth of Cataloguers needed for the future of Librarianship. Also, since Cataloguers perform both academic and administrative duties, Institutional policy has to be revised to make room for this group to get training as at when due without bottlenecks. As this encouraged participation allows cataloguers to be abreast of current trends in cataloguing services, it will make for effective and efficient participation that would ultimately lead to applications that would promote research best practices. Keywords: Training, Cataloguers, ICTs, Academic library

Automation in Nigerian University Libraries: Mirage or Reality?

The trend in IT in the information society is that library automated systems are geared to function in the digital library environment. With this unprecedented success in library automation we would be able to organize and preserve our knowledge without fear of loss of access and maintain a single or central database for all the library subsystems. This paper has analyses the Nigeria’s ICT environment, current state of automation in Nigerian university libraries with particular reference to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Ibadan Libraries and concludes by proposing a model for achieving automated library system in our universities for effective information access, management and delivery based on enormous benefits accruable to libraries that embraced the system. Key Words: ICTs, Library Automation, Nigerian Universities, University Librarie

Automation of Academic Libraries in Nigeria: Issues and Practices

The paper is on the library as information organization helping the parental body to realize the network of goals, objectives and targets. It added that for library functions to be done efficiently, the services must be automated. The paper describes automation as application of technology to produce and deliver goods and services with minimum human intervention. The work looks into library automation, overview of automation in Nigerian academic libraries. It expands on issues and practices of library automation in Nigeria academic libraries giving an insight into two universities- University of Jos Library and Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library, Obafemi Awolowo University. The paper gives the challenges to automation in academic libraries in Nigeria as inadequate planning, budget-cut, shortage of technology, erratic power supply, shortage of competent manpower and non-ICT LIS curriculum. The conclusion is that automation is inevitable in the 21st century library services, as such Nigerian academic librarians should strive to automate the services in their libraries

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

Consortia initiatives in cataloguing, bibliographic and indexing services in Nigeria

The paper examines the factors which are critical to the emergence of consortia efforts in cataloguing, bibliographic and indexing services. It focuses on the management and methodological issues essential to the evolution of a functional consortium in Nigeria. A methodological framework for a functioning consortium is proposed. Key factors discussed include management and operational framework, administration and managing resources. Others are funding and infrastructure. The paper highlights the emergence of consortia in Nigeria partly because of the rising costs and complexities of information resources, and decreasing budgets, while at the same time providing the user community with optimal access to needed information. The mission of consortia, consortia efforts in cataloguing, bibliography and indexing as well as Union, Virtual and Shared system catalogues are examined as the possible products of the consorting partners. The paper recommends that the cataloguer is a critical variable in the computational equation designed to evolve consortia in cataloguing, bibliography and indexing services. The challenge however, is to leverage ICT in the evolutionary process

INTERROGATING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ICT ACQUISITION AND APPLICATION TO EFFECTIVE LIBRARY SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

It is a fact that acquisition and application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contribute positively to effectiveness of academic libraries’ delivery of information services. The extent to which this is the case in Nigeria was interrogated in this study in order to justify the huge investment in ICT. Survey research design was adopted. The study population comprises professional librarians in academic libraries in Nigerian universities. The instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire complemented with interviews. A Total of 150 copies of the questionnaire were administered out of which 120 copies were retrieved giving 80.0% response rate. Analysis of the data collected was done using descriptive statistics in form of frequency counts, percentages and tables. Results shown that it librarians are aware of ICT tools and the benefits of using them. Irrespective of this none of the academic libraries in Nigerian universities have been able to maximized the benefits as due to the plethora of limiting factors such as internal politics (100%), epileptic power supply (100%) and lack of skilled systems analysts/engineers (91.7%) and inadequate funding (83.3%). Also revealed as a critical inhibitor to ICT acquisition and application in academic libraries is poor predisposition of the university librarians ICT projects as strongly agreed to by 85 (70.8%) respondents. The study however concluded on the note that ICT acquisition and application in academic libraries have the potential to offer innumerable benefits to the professionalization of librarianship in Nigeria through enhanced library operations and the provision of information services to library users

Influence of Computer Literacy Skill on On-line Cataloguing by Librarians in Ekiti State University, Nigeria

The introduction of computers into cataloguing marked a turning point in the way it is being done; this has changed and expanded the work of cataloguers tremendously. The application of the internet is essentially to fast-track that process and ensures that books and other resources spend the least period of time in the cataloguing section. Cataloguers that have internet access have now recognised the potentials of online catalogue for improving subject access to information. It is in the light of this that this research work focuses on the influence of subject background and computer literacy skills on on-line cataloguing by librarians of Ekiti State University. This work adopted a survey research method and utilised questionnaire to generate data. Out of the twelve (12) copies of questionnaire distributed, eleven (11) copies (91.6%) were returned with valid responses. Findings revealed that librarians need constant training to keep up with international standards; this will enhance professional exposure and capacity building and ensure that best practices in cataloguing are adopted Keywords: ICT, Cataloguing, On line, Skil

Information And Communication Technology (ICT) Competence And Job Performance Of Librarians In Universities In Abia State.

This study examined the relationship between ICT competence of librarians and their job performance in the libraries of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike and Abia State University, Uturu. Three research questions were answered and three hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted simple linear correlation design involving Pearson Product Moment Correlation. The population of the study was 136 librarians working in the libraries. The instrument used for data collection was rating scale titled librarians Information and Communication Technology Competency and Job Performance (LICTCJP). The research questions were answered using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC), while the hypotheses were tested using t-test of the significance of Pearson r. The findings of the study revealed that there is a very high and significant relationship between ICT competence of librarians and; cataloguing and classification of information; Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) but there is a low but significant relationship between ICT competence of librarians and reference services provided in the libraries. Based on these findings the researchers recommend that ICT competence should be a major criteria for the employment of librarians in various libraries; the university administrations should provide on-the-job ICT training to the librarians in the various libraries; and the librarians should be monitored to ensure that the services provided in the libraries are done using ICT in order to meet up with international standards