Management of retrospective conversion of catalogue among federal university libraries in South East, Nigeria

Abstract

This research investigated the management of retrospective conversion of catalogue in federal university libraries in South East, Nigeria. The researcher sought to find out the extent of planning, staff provisions, extent of supervision, challenges encountered, and strategies to enhance the management of retrospective conversion in the libraries under study.To get data on this topic, the researcher employed a descriptive survey design. The cataloguers and others involved in retrospective conversion formed the population of the study and a total number of 32 staff were purposively drawn as the sample size. In line with the five research questions drawn from the purpose of the study, a questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. Data collected for the study were analysed using frequency counts and mean scores.The study revealed inadequate planning, inadequate staff provision, and minimal supervision in the management of the retrospective conversion of catalogues in these libraries. On the Issue of challenges encountered, the study revealed lack of planning poor supervision and poor implementation, and inadequate ICT expertise of the library staff involved in the process.
As strategies to enhance the management of retrospective conversion of catalogue, proper planning, meticulous implementation of the plan, provision of adequate and competent staff high level of supervision, constant evaluation, training, and re-training of staff, were highly recommended.