Abstract

This is a report of an assessment of aspects of bookstack administration in selected academic and special libraries. Data was collected through a combination of questionnaire and documentary sources. The questionnaire, which was the major instrument for data collection, was designed to elicit information relevant to the research questions and objectives of the study. Administration of copies of the questionnaire was done through visits to each ofthe participating bibliographical institutions. The data obtained were analyzed and results show that sorting and shelving of books were | undertaken by para-professionals and other junior staff while shelf-reading and general supervision of shelf-work was carried out by middle level and senior professional librarians. Shelf-work was, mainly, a morning routine dominated by shelving and shelf-reading managed by the Readers’ Services Department. Training of shelvers was accomplished through the informal method and this exercise was executed largely by the Readers’ Services Librarians and other professional staff. Further findings show that the major impediment to bookstack administration in the libraries studied were inadequate number of staff, mis-shelving/hiding of books, impaired call I numbers and insufficiency of relevant shelving facilities. The authors, •nerefore, proffered recommendations aimed at improving the quality of --’Okstact management in academic and special libraries.