Abstract

Eric Yaw Naminse*, Zhan Jingang, Cheng Jia and Zhan Manlin

The study investigated the impact of online cataloguing system on cataloguer’s productivity in University Libraries in Rivers State. A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study consists of cataloguers from University of Port Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Rivers State University. A self-constructed online questionnaire was designed and distributed to collect the data from the respondents. A total of 32 respondents filled the online questionnaires, but 28 were valid and useful for analysis. Frequency count and simple percentage was used for data analysis. The result showed that cataloguers use online cataloguing system as a retrieval system to already catalogued items, to catalogue library materials, edit and modify bibliographic elements, use it to validate bibliographic details. The factors influencing cataloguers’ use of online cataloguing system are availability of computers, good knowledge of computer, cost effectiveness and quick bibliographic retrieval. The impact of online cataloguing system on cataloguers’ productivity were that it edit and modify bibliographic elements, it reduce errors in cataloguing, speed in cataloguing library materials, encourages cataloguers to continue cataloguing activity. Constrains of using online cataloguing system were poor internet connectivity, erratic power supply and poor infrastructure were constrains of online cataloguing system. While, inadequate computer skills and cataloguers poor attitude towards embracing online cataloguing system were not accepted as constrains. It was therefore recommended that libraries should organize training on the use of online cataloguing system to improve cataloguing skills and libraries should encourage cataloguers to use online cataloguing system