Abstract

Phillip Ogedegbe and Dickson Umukoro

Automation of university libraries becomes very imperative in order to optimally realize their mission statement. The purpose of this study is to provide a detailed review of the success story of RECON adoption and implementation at Kenneth Dike Library (a pioneering University in Africa and library automation in Nigeria) in order to resolve issues and problems slowing down RECON adoption in the developing world. The survey method was used to collect data. A face-to-face interview of some library staff knowledgeable about the RECON process (including the system librarian, cataloguers and those involved in the retrospective conversion of card catalogue in Kenneth Dike library) was used. Information about users’ experience was obtained through a questionnaire survey of registered patrons of the library, especially those directly involved in the use of the new OPAC system. The sole method of data analysis is the use of simple frequency analysis and percentages. This study will help to eliminate the erroneous believes about what library automation/RECON entails, thereby, facilitating adoption rates in those parts of the world that are still IT challenged. With increased adoption rate, there will be easy retrieval of information, improved library networking, and uniformity, integration of new and varied operations and services as well as elimination of repetitive boring library activities, and backlog of unprocessed materials in libraries. The study found out that Kenneth Dike Library made use of shared RECON and data input manually. The study also revealed that the RECON process took reasonable amount of time, involved well skilled manpower and cost moderately. The study further diagnosed some constraints inhibiting the library’s RECON. In spite of the numerous inhibiting factors such as human, economic, cultural and social barriers. The library’s OPAC had been successfully opened to users.