Cataloguing and classification in the era of artificial intelligence: Benefits, and challenges from the perspective of cataloguing librarians in Oyo State, Nigeria

Goal: This study has examined cataloguing and classification in the era of artificial intelligence, benefits, and challenges from the perspective of cataloguing librarians in Oyo state, Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted a purely qualitative method using interviews for data collection. The target population was the cataloguing and classification librarians in academic libraries in Southwest Nigeria. The sample comprised 21 cataloguing and classification librarians working in the cataloguing and classification section of 10 university libraries in Southwest Nigeria. Four research questions were developed and answered. Findings/Results: The findings revealed that cataloguing librarians are aware of the application of artificial intelligence for cataloguing and classification. Artificial intelligence enhances automatic cataloguing and classification using optical character recognition, assists in undertaking stressful work that humans may struggle to do; completes tasks faster than a human being and enables libraries to provide accurate cataloguing and classification services with fewer errors; saving time and money, assisting libraries to create metadata for digital resources and allowing cataloguing to increase the speed of metadata generation. The challenges associated with the application of AI to cataloguing and classification practices from the perspective of cataloguing and classification librarians are funding, irregular power supply and inadequate skilled personnel to handle AI. Currently, there is no strategic plan in place for the implementation of AI for cataloguing and classification in academic libraries in Nigeria. Originality and Values: Based on the findings, the study recommends that a strategic plan should be initiated in all academic libraries in Nigeria to allow the real-life practice of using AI for cataloguing and classification

INVESTIGATION OF LIBRARY AUTOMATION IN ACADEMIC LIBRARY: A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI, EKITI STATE, NIGERIA

Library Automation is expected to embrace all the aspects of library operations and services. Most Nigerian academic libraries have not been able to fully automate all their services as a result of various factors. The need to identify the various aspects of library services and identify the factors affecting the implementation of automation in Academic Libraries informed the decision of the researchers to conduct this study. The study is significant to LIS study, Policy, theory and literature as it adds to literature on automation in Nigerian academic libraries. The design of the study was descriptive survey research. This study evaluated automation in the Federal University Oye-Ekiti library. The structured questionnaire was used to collect data from all staff working in the Library. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS 15.0. The findings revealed that Library Staff have a high degree of awareness of library automation in the Library. It was also discovered that all aspects of library services have been partly automated Federal University Oye- Ekiti Library. In addition, it was also observed that the factors affecting the implementation of automation in the library includes lack of funds, lack of requisites skills etc. It was therefore recommended that Library staff should be encouraged to start experimenting with all the various modules embedded in the Library Management System for all library operations

Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices of the Covid-19 Pandemic among Nigerians

Nigeria has adopted unprecedented measures to control the rapid spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Citizens’ adherence to control measures is affected by their knowledge, beliefs, and Practices towards COVID-19. This study investigated the knowledge, beliefs and practices of the Covid-19 pandemic among Nigerians. The study adopted a cross-sectional web-based survey. The population of the study comprised Nigeria population of 200,000000 and a sample of 384 was drawn from the population. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that the respondents’ knowledge of the pandemic was very high and that the respondents do not have negative beliefs about Covid-19 pandemic. The results further revealed that the respondents were observing most of the Covid-19 rules and protocols. The study concluded that government at all levels should engage in continuous sensitization of the masses targeting both urban and rural communities in order to achieve higher knowledge and maintain safe practices