Effect of Information Communications Technology on Cataloguing and Classification of Information Resources: A Case Study of Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

The work was on effect of information communications technology in cataloguing and classification of information resources. Survey research design method was used for the study. The populations of the study were professional librarians and para - professional librarians in the li braries. Data was collected through the use of questionnaire designed for the study. Libraries involved in the study were Kenneth Dike Library (U.I), Hezekiah Oluwasanmi Library (O.A.U) and University of Lagos, main library. Result of the study showed that ICT facilitates easy storage and retrieval of information materials in the library (88.1%); allows a user to check his/her work at anytime and from any terminal and expect the computer to react and reply immediately. ICT also helps to conserve library spa ce (85.7%) ; allows quick decision to be made as regards< information on the same physical location in the library; reduces manual system of work and facilitates easy processing of large amount of information resources (85.7%) . Study also showed that other classification schemes like University of Yale Library; Bookwhere and Database of the National Medical Library (U.S.A) exists apart from the prominent ones like Library of Congress, Dewey Decimal, Universal Decimal and Colon Classification Schemes. ICT also facilitates exchange of information resources between librarie s (7.1%) ; encourages use of virtual software and MARC 21 cataloguing ( 42%); it also facilitates subject heading determination for original cataloguing and makes automatic creation of online catalogues possible (14.3%).

Key Words: Effect, Information , Communications, Technology, Cataloguing, Classification, Information Resources.