A comparative study on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in cataloguing and classification of library materials at University of Namibia (UNAM) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
This study presents a comparison between the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in cataloguing and classifying bibliographic materials in academic libraries in Namibia. A multiple case study design was applied to analyse of the two academic libraries at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM). Face-to-face semi-structured interviews as well as observation was used to collect data. The population of this study comprised of 18 cataloguing and classification section staff members, which were made of 12 staff members of the University of Namibia and 6 staff members of Namibia University Science and Technology. A purposive sampling technique was used to select eight respondents to participate in the study. Content analysis was applied to examine the data. The study found that ICT facilities brought a great change in cataloguing and classification section for both institutions under study and these changes made work easier, time saving and more accurate when cataloguing and classification of library materials were done electronically. Thus, both institutions widely use and accept ICT facilities in their day-today activities. This was influenced by Perceived Ease of Use model which allowed individuals to accept the use technologies that would be effortless and hassle free. The reasons why librarians used and accepted ICT facilities in their day-to-day work was that they assisted in detecting duplications of work and errors when cataloguing and classifying of their library materials, made their work easy, saved time for their users and also to keep abreast with the new technology trends. It was also found that ICT facilities helped to improve and uplift librarians’ job performances of the librarians. As far as the two determinants of Technology Acceptance Model (Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness) were concerned, technologies used in libraries improved productivity. The participants cited the following challenges when using ICT facilities: ICT facilities could not function without electricity connection, it is difficult to locate library materials with lengthy classification numbers, the system trial do not keep track of usernames and password, and communicate challenges faced between the system vendor and the library. The study concluded that librarians preferred to use ICT facilities as opposed to manual cataloguing and classification because they made their work easy, saved time, and provided more accurate results. The study recommends that institutions should develop ICT policies to help facilitate service delivery and effective storage systems.
Cataloguing, Classification, Library materials, Information retrieval
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations