Expected Competencies for Effective Provision of Online Public vision of Online Public Access Catalogue in Nigerian University Libraries

Description

The study examined the skills expected to provide the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue) at university libraries in Nigeria. The study population comprised of professionals and para-professional catalogues. A survey description was conducted, three study guidance objectives were created, the sample size for the study was 21 respondents and three institutions from 6 in the Southwest States of Nigeria were randomly sampled. A structured questionnaire was utilized as an instrument for data gathering. Simple percentages were used in the analysis of the acquired data. The study showed that competences expected to deliver the OPAC include: OPAC data storage creation, working knowledge of cataloging tools, competencies in information literacy and technical knowledge in the catalog. The following strategies were developed to make Internet connections available; Librarians should be trained in the digital realm of libraries. The study concludes that university administration should vote adequate fund for the university libraries, Cataloguers should be exposed to skill acquisition platforms such as workshops, seminars and symposia in order to acquire the competencies required for provision of OPACs, and advances in cataloguing and knowledge of the tools for OPAC such as metadata, Resource Description and Access (RDA) etc., and these should be included in the curricula of library schools in Nigeria were made. The provision of information communication technologies and stable internet is highly needed for OPAC provision.