ABSTRACT
The study investigated the perception of librarians on cataloguing and classification routine in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Library. The study centered on seven (7) objectives and research questions. Literature was reviewed across various scholarly published works of other authorities in similar discourse; touching on the conceptual clarification, theoretical framework underpinning the study, review of empirical studies, summary and schematic presentation of the study, noting existing gap in literature which this study filled. Analytical research design was used to conduct the research on a population of, twenty six (26) professional librarians. Structured interview schedule and opinionnaire were used to collect data which was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative method. In conclusion the study discovered that librarians perceived cataloguing and classification routines as a difficult area in librarianship, tedious, tasking and time consuming. Librarians also noted that inadequate working tools are among the problems of cataloguing and classification in the university library. It recommended provision of adequate working tools, proper training and retraining and mapping out of special remuneration for cataloguers among others as ways to enhance librarians interest in cataloguing and classification routines.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title
page i
Declaration ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table
of contents vi
List
of tables ix
Abstract x
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the study 1
1.2 Information on Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
Umudike Library 6
1.3 Statement
of the problem 7
1.4 Purpose
of the study 7
1.5 Research
questions 8
1.6 Significance
of the study 9
1.7 Scope
of the study 9
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
11
2.1.1
Concept of perception 11
2.1.2
Librarians and Library Professionals 13
2.1.3
Cataloguing and types of cataloguing 14
2.1.4
Cataloguing Tools and Key Resources 20
2.1.5
Cataloguing Terms, Codes and Standards 22
2.1.6
Classification and library
classification 23
2.1.7 Stages in library classification 25
2.1.8 Library classification tools 25
2.1.9 Cataloguing and Classification 26 2.1.10 A Schematic presentation of
the conceptual framework 29
2.2
Theoretical Framework 30
2.3
Review of Related Empirical Studies 31
2.4
Summary of Literature Review 33
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY
3.1
Design of the study 35 3.2
Area of study 35
3.3
Population of the Study 36
3.4
Sample and Sampling Technique 36
3.5
Instrument for Data Collection
37
3.6
Validation of the Instruments 37
3.7
Method of Data Collection 37
3.8
Method of Data Analysis 38
CHAPTER 4: DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
4.1
Data Presentation 39
4.1.1
Number of librarians in the Cataloguing and Classification
Department
of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Library.
40
4.1.2 Routines of librarians in cataloguing and
classification
department of Michael Okpara University of
Agriculture, Umudike
Library. 40
4.1.3 Skills possessed by Librarians to perform
cataloguing and
Classification routines in MOUAU library. 41
4.1.4 Perception of librarians on cataloguing and
classification routines
in MOUAU library 42
4.1.5 Librarians Opinions on Cataloguing and
Classification Routines 42
4.1.6.
Problems Encountered by Librarians in
performing
Cataloguing and Classification routines in
Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture, Umudike Library. 46
4.1.7 Ways to enhance librarians interest in
cataloguing and
Classification
routines in MOUAU Library 47
4.2 The Major Findings of the Study 48
4.3 Discussion of the Findings 49
CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary of the Study 52
5.2 Conclusion 52
5.3 Implication of the Findings 53
5.4 Recommendations 54
5.5 Limitation of the Study 54
5.6 Suggestion for Further Study 55
References 56
Appendices 62
LIST
OF TABLES
Table
4.1: Distribution of Librarians in MOUAU
Library 39
Table
4.2: Opinion of Librarians on Cataloguing and Classification Routine 43
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Cataloguing and classification is the crux of librarianship the
world over. As libraries of various types exist to identify, select, acquire,
organise, store, preserve and disseminate information to people of diverse
categories, cataloguing and classification job remains fundamental to the fulfillment
of every library’s mandate. Whereas the sole function of all cataloguing and
classification departments is to systematically organise information materials
acquired in the library, the multifaceted process of describing and
categorising information resources of the library is technically regarded as
routines.
Routines are detailed procedures or prescribed course of actions
undertaken to complete specific assignments. In the library profession,
routines are regarded as fixed and regular ways of carrying out definite
activities in the library. It connotes some procedures librarians observe, as a
rule, to perform professional duties of the library (Imeremba, 2011; Jimoh
& Igwe, 2011). Routine is an age long notion that is scientifically
accepted as means of saving time and keeping the library institution on course
(Nwalo, 2003). Thus cataloguing and classification routines are those specific
complex processes fulfilled under the Technical Service Division of libraries
to provide library users access to library’s collections (Aina, 2012; Nnadozie,
2007).
A Technical Service Division of a library undertakes, among other
things, the processing of information materials acquired in the library –that
is the nitty-gritties of cataloguing and classification. And so, a Cataloguing
and Classification Department, as part of a technical service of a library, is
traditionally saddled with the task of organising library materials into their
respective subject areas (Quadri & Abiodun, 2017). This function enables
collation and filling of related subjects together on the shelves.
The routines undertaken in
a model cataloguing and classification department include cataloguing of
information materials; classification; catalogue card production; filing of
catalogue cards; pasting of book pockets, date due cards and spine labels; and
catalogue maintenance. The routines are herein explained in the succeeding
paragraphs.
Cataloguing is the process of describing and recording of the
physical features of a book necessary to identify and distinguish it from other
materials in the library (William & Beacon, 2001). It is one of the pillars
of library services and plays a pivotal role for a successful library
operation. Cataloguing of information materials involves descriptive and
subject cataloguing. Descriptive cataloguing, involves recording of
bibliographic details of a library material according to the rules contained in
Anglo American Cataloguing Rules 2nd Edition (AACR2) and Resource Description
and Access (RDA). The codes describe rules for each of the activities involved
in cataloguing (sequence, punctuation, indentation, capitalization etc.). The
elements of description include: title/statement of responsibility; edition
area; type of material: publication distribution area; physical description; series:
note area and standard number. On the other hand, subject cataloguing, usually
done by a librarian, entails determining the content analysis of information
material using certain parameters. The subject headings are used in assigning
subject to information materials and any subject not found in it is not
acceptable.
Classification is the separation and grouping of books and other
information materials owned by the library according to their subject
(Nnadozie, 2007). Classification ideally is the arrangement of subject items
using a particular order. Such arrangement must be by subject in which symbols
are used to represent the subject. The essence of such arrangement is to ensure
that library users have access to the material they need in a particular library.
Each library uses a particular classification scheme to classify its
collection. Eze (2008) posits that classification ordinarily is the orderly
arrangement of things either by characteristics or usage. It is the process of
putting like things together. However, classification in library and
information science is the process of grouping books and non-book materials in
the library in a systematic order according to their subject affinities. The tools used for classification is the
classification schemes. The commonly used by academic libraries are Dewey
Decimal Classification Scheme (DDC), and Library of Congress Classification
Scheme (LCC).
The step involved in cataloguing and classification entails
descriptive, assigning a subject to the document and allocating a
classification mark to the picked subject area. The first step in cataloguing
is descriptive which is done by allocating access points to the information
material. This entails the description of the essential parts of the
publication such as the person or body responsible for the work, title, and
edition, place of publication, publisher, pagination, and series note (elements
of description). The second step in cataloguing is assigning a subject to the
document. To do this, one must first decide what the document is about (intellectual
or subject). The document must be examined carefully to get the required
information from the title, sub title, cover jacket description, content page,
references and existing catalogue cards. Concepts which best describe the
subject and which a user is most likely to search should be identified. Then a tool called subject heading list
should be consulted to find suitable and uniform headings which use
alphabetical structured controlled language and cross-referencing of related
terms. The Library of Congress Subject Headings which are based on Cutters Rule
for Dictionary Catalogue and Sears List of Subject Headings have been the most influential
and popular ones used in libraries.
Catalogue card production refers to the typing of catalogue
entries on cards using information on pre-catalogue
slips. After classification, the Department’s Typist, uses the information
recorded on the catalogue slip to produce cards. After typing, the catalogue
cards are proofread, corrected and certified by a librarian.
Filing of catalogue cards
ensues after typing of the catalogue cards. Arrangement is done with the aid of
a card sorter. Sorted cards are filed appropriately by the Library Officers
either in the public catalogue or in the shelf list catalogue.
Pasting of book pockets, date due slips and spine labels involves
attaching of book pockets on the processed books, inserting of book cards in the pockets and pasting of date
due slip. This routine is usually executed by the Library Assistants. Spine labeling
is the horizontal writing of call mark on the book spine.
Furthermore, the cataloguing department does the catalogue
maintenance. The department maintains two catalogues, namely, the shelf list
catalogue and the public catalogue. The professional librarians see to this
assignment.
Evidently, the afore
explained routines in cataloguing and classification is about knowledge
acquisition. Library staff, especially
the librarians in particular, must acquire the knowledge associated with the
routines in other to function effectively in cataloguing and classification.
The works of Nnadozie (2007), as well as Quadri and Abiodun (2017) offer clues
on the knowledge associated with cataloguing and classification routines. For
Cataloguing:- descriptive and subject cataloguing entails the ability to scan
through an information material to identify, extract correctly and record
bibliographic details of such material and ability to critically analyse the
content of an information material. For Classification, the knowledge of how to
assign the correct class mark using an appropriate classification scheme is
essential. Catalogue card production requires possession of good typing skills
especially with mastery of computer keyboard and associated applications. Filing
of catalogue cards involves conversance with library filing rules. Pasting of
book pockets, date due slips and spine labels, requires the ability to
artistically paste pockets and label at the right location. Catalogue
maintenance, needs the ability to go through the catalogue cabinets from time
to time, to separate glued cards, identify torn or worn-out cards and send them
for re-typing, and so on.
And, as concerning who
performs routines in cataloguing and classification in libraries, staff of
various categories, cutting across librarians (regarded as professionals),
library officers (designated as para-professionals) and clerical staffs
(referred to as non-professionals), are
involved in cataloguing and classifications duties. Nnadozie (2007)
offers a succinct delineation of these cadres:
The Professional categories of library staff are called
“Librarians”. They (the librarians) are the library staff members who have
undergone long periods of education and training in the university-based
library schools leading to the award of bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees.
Aderinto & Obadare (2009) added that professional staffs are those who are
employed on professional jobs and possess degrees in library science as well as
in some other discipline. They perform the following jobs; book selection, book
order, classification, cataloguing, indexing, abstracting, reference
service/information services, planning etc.
The Para-professionals categories of library staff also refer to
those who have undergone through some educational programs in library science.
The difference with the professionals is that their academic qualifications are
not university degree. They are generally holders of various diplomas, awards
and certificate on library and information science. Their academic training
qualifies and equips them to play subordinate roles to the professional staff.
The non-professionals category of staff comprises of support staff
and those with lower qualifications. But, notwithstanding this delineation,
this study is focused on the library professionals – that is, the librarians –
who are the most trained and supposedly qualified people to undertake and
execute cataloguing and classification routines in libraries.
1.2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON
MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE LIBRARY.
The Michael Okpara university of Agriculture Umudike, library was
established at the inception of the institution following the promulgation of Decree
no 48 0f 1992. The library provides materials to support teaching, learning,
research and extension services. It aims at helping the university develop a
centre of academic excellence in the provision of agricultural literature and
other reading materials for national development, In order to achieve the above
objective, the university library co-ordinates all library services in the
university for the benefit of staff and students. The library building is
located behind the Administrative Block, beside the University Bookshop.
The University Library operates a collegiate system with libraries
in the eleven colleges of the University. The University Librarian is in charge
of the library administration and reports directly to the Vice Chancellor.
The library is housed in two buildings, the library phase one is
in up-stair housing the following departments; Circulation department, Indexing
and Documentation department, Institutional repository, Administrative
department, Serial department, and ICT department. The Library Annex houses the
following departments; the Reference department, Cataloguing and Classification
department, Acquisition department, Collection Development and Bindery
department.
The Cataloguing and Classification Department processes, describes
and provides catalogue cards to all book collections of the library. The
library uses Library of Congress Classification for the organisation of its
information resources .Presently, the department is made up of twelve (12)
staff members, with Dr. J.C Onyenachi as head of the Department.
1.3
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Cataloguing and classification is seen as one of the major
functions performed by librarians. It helps to bring all works of human
knowledge into a definite structure used in locating information resources in
the library. The ideal practice is that librarians
perform the vital routines in cataloguing and classification, but in some
libraries, these duties are left for other cadre of staff who are Para-professionals.
The researcher’s practical experience in the area under study shows that quite
a large number of titles are lying on the shelves waiting for cataloguing and
classification. Besides, one would scarcely find research
works on how professional librarians perceive cataloguing and classification
routines in the Nigerian scene. Available related literature focus mainly on
students’ perception and attitude to cataloguing and classification as a
course, ( Ossai-Onah, Anyanwu & Uche, 2014), and as industrial training
exercise (Quadri & Abiodun, 2017). So, these and other challenges are the
reasons for this study on ‘Perception of librarians on cataloguing and
classification routines…’ so that the issues that relate to librarians
perception of cataloguing and classification routines could be laid to rest
using the Michael Okpara University Library as a case study.
1.4 PURPOSE
OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this study is to find out the librarians’
perception on cataloguing and classification routines in Michael Okpara
University of Agriculture Umudike Library, Umudike. The specific objectives
include to;
1. Determine the number of librarians in Cataloguing and Classification
department of MOUAU, Library.
2. Identify the routines
performed by librarians in the Cataloguing and Classification department of
MOUAU, Library.
3. Ascertain the skills possessed
by librarians to perform cataloguing and classification routines in MOUAU
Library.
4.
Examine librarians perception towards
cataloguing and classification routines in MOUAU library.,
5.
Gather Librarians’
opinion concerning cataloguing and classification in MOUAU library.
6.
Ascertain the problems
encountered by librarians in performing cataloguing and classification routines
in MOUAU library.
7.
Suggest ways
for enhancing librarians’ interest in cataloguing and classification routines
in MOUAU Library.
1.5 RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1. What is the number of librarians in the cataloguing and
classification department of MOUAU Library?
2. What are the routines performed by librarians in the cataloguing
and classification department of MOUAU Library?
3. What
are the skills possessed by Librarians to perform cataloguing and
classification routines in MOUAU library?
- What
are the perception of Librarians towards cataloguing and classification
routines in MOUAU Library?
5
what are the opinions of Librarians concerning cataloguing and
Classification routines in MOUAU Library?
6
What are the problems
encountered by Librarians in cataloguing and classification in MOUAU Library?
7
What methods
can be adopted to enhance Librarians’ interest in cataloguing and
classification routines in MOUAU Library?
1.6
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study is on the perception of librarians on cataloguing and
classification routines in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Umudike
library. It is expected that the findings of the study would be beneficial to
the following people: students, researchers in library and information science,
librarians, lectures in librarianship and the management of the University
libraries. To the students and researchers in library and information science,
it will enable them to understand how librarians perceive cataloguing and
classification routines, which is the basis of librarianship.
To librarians, lecturers and management of the University
libraries, this study will uncover the reasons why some librarians don’t show
interest in cataloguing and classification routines in libraries of various types
and what will enhance their interest in the routines. The contents of this
research will help students and Librarians to examine, modify and improve on
this subject and will add to the existing literature on cataloguing and
classification routines in academic libraries.
1.7
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The emphasis of this study is on the perception of librarians on
cataloguing and classification routines. The routines librarians perform
include subject cataloguing which involves delineation of the subject matter or
content of information material and classification which deals with assigning
correct class marks using appropriate classification tools. It is limited to
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike library and revolves around
all professional librarians including those in other departments of the library
outside the cataloguing and classification department. In other words, library
officers (i.e. para-professional librarians) and other support/technical staff
are not included in the study.
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