Information and Communication Technology Application in Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials in Public University Libraries in Abia State, Nigeria 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 information and communication Technology (ICT) application in cataloguing and classification of library materials in public University Libraries in Abia State, Nigeria. Four articulated purposes of the study guided the research. The study adopted descriptive survey research design and the population for the study was 60 made up of 29 professional and 31 para-professional librarians. Data collated through the instrument of questionnaire were coded, analyzed and presented by the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. 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 classification of library materials was the online search services. The challenges in ICT application in cataloguing and classification of library materials in the university libraries included lack of adequate ICT facilities, lack of training opportunities as well as lack of maintenance of ICT tools, Network fluctuation and internet service failure. The researcher recommended that: there should be provision of adequate ICT facilities; there was need for training and retraining opportunities for library staff more especially professional and para- professional librarians on the ICT application in cataloguing and classification of library materials; and there should be steady and reliable internet access.