CATALOGUING AND CLASSIFICATION PRACTICES AND THE CHALLENGES OF CATALOGUERS IN DIGITAL AGE: THE CASE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NORTHEAST ZONE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study determined the Cataloguing and Classification Practices and the Challenges of Cataloguers in Digital Age: The Case of Public Libraries in Northeast Zone, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research method was found appropriate and adopted for the study and a target population of fifty-one (51) cataloguers of the library under study were used, hence the entire population was used because it was manageable. The data used was collected using a self-designed questionnaire. Out of the 51 questionnaires administered to the respondent, 49 (96.0%) copies were duly completed, returned, and found valid for the analysis. The results indicated that Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme was the scheme used, Anglo-American Cataloguing Rule (AACR₂) was the code in use, access points provided were author, title, subject, keywords, class/call number, series and only manual cataloguing and classification was the practice. Cataloguers in Public Libraries in Northeast Zone, Nigeria were conversant with cataloguing and classification procedures except for all that has to do with new evolving trends or automated/electronic process like the R.D.A, MARC, as well as the use of national bibliography utility such as OCLC. The challenges faced by cataloguers among others were lack of cataloguers that are digitally savvy, lack of ICT and other infrastructural facilities, lack of adequate tools and technologies required for bibliographic control practices, lack of implementation of Resource Description and Access (RDA) The study recommended among others that the management of public libraries in North East Zone, Nigeria should provide ICT facilities that will foster effective automation of cataloguing and classification practices among cataloguers in the state.