Retrospective conversion of Special Libraries in Nigeria: status, barriers and prospects

Abstract

This paper attempts to assess the status of, point out the need for, recounts the procedures involved, identify the difficulties encountered and propose factors for effective retrospective conversion of resources from manual to computer format in Special Libraries in Nigeria. Descriptive Survey method was employed in this study. By this method the extent of retrospective conversion in Nigerian special libraries and the future prospects were observed. The findings show that most libraries of the developing world like their counterparts in developed countries have increasingly developed plans to automate their services to bring about improved services to library users. However, certain factors like funding, staffing, the systems, electricity, and retrieval problems were identified as inhibitors. By implication, the libraries cannot realize the full benefits of the use of computers unless large stores of bibliographic information are available in machine readable form. The origin and value of this paper is predicated upon the fact that unlike their developed countries counterparts, most Nigerian special libraries are yet to convert their library resources into online database. This paper however proffers solution to the identified challenges to effective retrospective conversion procedures which give room for future prospects.