ABSTRACT

This study investigated the availability and utilization of cataloguing tools in Abia State University Library, Uturu. The study was guided by five (5) specific objectives and five (5) research questions. The study employed descriptive survey research, while the population of the study is ten (10) cataloguing staff of Abia State University Library. The sampling technique is the complete census method. Questionnaire and checklist were the instruments used for data collection. The questionnaire and checklist were validated by three (3) experts in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Reliability test of the instrument was done using Cronbach's Alpha. Frequency count and mean were used in analysing data for the study. The study identified Anglo American Cataloguing Rule 2 edition, Library of congress classification Schedule, Dewey Decimal Classification Schedule etc. as cataloguing tools that are available in Abia State University Library. Machine readable catalogues 21, Resource Description and Access, OPAC, PUC etc were not available. The study also revealed that the following cataloguing tools are used in Absu Library: Anglo American Cataloguing Rule 2nd Edition, Library of Congress Classification Schedules, Cataloguing worksheet, Sears list of subject heading, Library of Congress (LC) subject heading List, while the following are not used: Dewey decimal classification schedules, Machine readable catalogues, Resources Description and Access, Universal Decimal Classification Schedules, Bliss' Bibliographic classification, Online cataloguing etc. The reason for the use of cataloguing tools according to the study are as follows: It serves as guide in the application of cataloguing rules, for confirming the correctness of the entry, to provide quick access to materials, to ensure uniformity, for checking if a book has been previously acquired and catalogued by the librarian, aids in updating of catalogue entries, for confirming and checking of available materials, for assignment of subject heading, for assignment of class mark and assignment of author numbers. Some of the challenges experienced by cataloguers are: inadequate cataloguing tools, presence of analogue cataloguing tools, absence of guide on how to use most of the tools, the tiny characters of some cataloguing books, absence of agreement between some tools, epileptic power supply to use digital cataloguing tools. The solution to the challenges of using cataloguing tools by cataloguers include the following: provision of adequate cataloguing tools, incorporation of ICT cataloguing tools, provision of guide on the use of cataloguing tools, use of bold characters for cataloguing books, use of tools that are free of contradiction, ensuring portability of cataloguing tools, ensuring regular power supply to use digital cataloguing tools. The study recommends that adequate cataloguing tools should be provided in ABSU library, including the incorporation of ICT cataloguing tools, relevant incentives for cataloguers and that regular power supply to the cataloguing rooms.