Information and Communication Technology Application in Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials in Public University Libraries in Abia State Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the informaƟon and communicaƟon Technology (ICT) applicaƟon in cataloguing and classificaƟon of library materials in public University Libraries in Abia State, Nigeria. Four arƟculated purposes of the study guided the research. The study adopted descripƟve survey research design and the populaƟon for the study was 60 made up of 29 professional and 31 para-professional librarians. Data collated through the instrument of quesƟonnaire were coded, analyzed and presented by the use of descripƟve and inferenƟal staƟsƟcs. The findings of the study revealed that ICT resources were available in the public University Libraries in Abia State and that the predominantly used ICT in cataloguing and classificaƟon of library materials was the online search services. The challenges in ICT applicaƟon in cataloguing and classificaƟon of library materials in the university libraries included lack of adequate ICT faciliƟes, lack of training opportuniƟes as well as lack of maintenance of ICT tools, Network fluctuaƟon and internet service failure. The researcher recommended that: there should be provision of adequate ICT faciliƟes; there was need for training and retraining opportuniƟes for library staff more especially professional and paraprofessional librarians on the ICT applicaƟon in cataloguing and classificaƟon of library materials; and there should be steady and reliable internet access