Information technology applications to cataloguing in Nigerian university libraries

Purpose The study aims to examine the information technology used in cataloguing in Nigerian academic libraries. Design/methodology/approach To elicit the necessary information, a four-part questionnaire was sent to cataloguers in 33 Nigerian university libraries: 22 were returned and found usable, constituting a 66.7 per cent response. Findings Analysis of the returned questionnaire revealed that 16 federal universities and two state universities have automated their cataloguing processes using the TINLIB software, while two others use the LC and CD-ROM database to aid the cataloguing. Automation of the cataloguing process has increased the efficiency of the cataloguing processes in the Nigerian university libraries, which in turn has resulted in increased productivity. The high cost of maintenance of the TINLIB software was identified as the major constraint to the use of the software. Other constraints include poor computer literacy on the part of the librarians, incessant power-cuts and lack of infrastructures. Practical implications The study recommends that librarians be consulted before acquisition of software by the government, retraining of librarians in software use, acquisition and wider use of the X-LIB software developed by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Library, Abuja, Nigeria and provision of standby electricity generators solely for library use. Originality/value Offers recommendations to improve application of information technology to cataloguing activities in Nigerian university libraries.