This study appraised librarians’ skills and awareness on cataloguing and classification tools in three university libraries in Nasarawa state. Descriptive survey design was used to determine the level of librarians’ awareness on online cataloguing and classification tools, determine online cataloguing and classification skills possessed by librarians and to find out the challenges encountered by librarians while carrying out online cataloguing and classification. The population of the study comprised of 18 librarians in three university libraries under study. Close ended structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics expressed in frequency counts, percentages and mean scores. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were aware of majority of online cataloguing and classification tools such as online computer library centre bibliographic formats and standards, AACR2 /RDA, LC name authority and cutter san born table. The respondents possessed online cataloguing and classification skills such as information literacy skills, data mining skills, advanced search technique, use of KOHA and library databases. The challenges encountered by librarians while cataloguing and classifying library resources online among others include high cost of hardware and software maintenance, erratic power supply and irregular subscription. The study amongst other things recommends that librarians should be trained and re-trained on online cataloguing and classification through local and international workshops, seminars and conferences. There should be improved funding of ICT facilities and librarians should be counseled in the area overcoming computer phobia.
Citation:Dalhatu U. Jibril, Godwin Amidu, and Sani Suleiman Adamu (2021) Appraisal of Librarians’ Skills and Awareness on Online Cataloguing and Classification Tools in University Libraries in Nasarawa State, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.7, No.4, pp.49-60
Keywords: Librarians, online cataloguing and classification skills, university libraries
