Training Cataloguers in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) Era to Promote Research Best Practices in University of Calabar

Abstract

This study investigated training Cataloguers in ICTs era to promote research best practices in University of Calabar. One hundred copies of questionnaire were purposively distributed to professionals and paraprofessionals in University of Calabar Library with an instruction that only those who had performed cataloguing and classification services should respond. On retrieval only 21 usable copies were found and analyzed for this study. Result from the study reveal that Cataloguers are very few in University of Calabar and among the few (21), 17 have already worked for up to 15years and above while only 4 have worked for 4years. Study reveal that Cataloguers mostly get training through personal efforts and only two cataloguers have received University sponsorship for cataloguing and classification. It is also revealed that Cataloguers have many skills to learn through training in ICTs.The challenges militating against their participation include; high cost of training, lack of organization sponsorship and poor implementation of Institution staff development policy. The paper thus recommends an urgent stepping up for training Cataloguers in ICTs based skills, because of the dearth of Cataloguers needed for the future of Librarianship. Also, since Cataloguers perform both academic and administrative duties, Institutional policy has to be revised to make room for this group to get training as at when due without bottlenecks. As this encouraged participation allows cataloguers to be abreast of current trends in cataloguing services, it will make for effective and efficient participation that would ultimately lead to applications that would promote research best practices.

Keywords: Training, Cataloguers, ICTs, Academic library.