ACHIEVING CATALOGING EXCELLENCE: THE KEY ROLE OF CATALOGUER TRAINING IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Abstract

Academic libraries play a pivotal role in the tertiary education landscape by facilitating scholarly training and research endeavors. The cornerstone of their efficacy lies in the vast reservoir of intellectual materials they house, which are essential for the acquisition of knowledge and the fulfillment of users' academic objectives. These materials encompass a diverse range, including printed items like books, journals, and monographs, as well as non-printed formats such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, slides, and motion pictures. However, ensuring that these materials are readily accessible to users requires meticulous cataloging as they are acquired and assembled within the library. Cataloging is a technical undertaking that necessitates the expertise of trained librarians well-versed in the rules and principles governing the process. Effective classification and description of materials are paramount to enabling easy retrieval by library patrons. To achieve this, cataloguers must be well-acquainted with cataloging standards such as the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules (AACR) 2 and 3, as well as the more recent Dublin Core and Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloging scheme. RDA, introduced in June 2010, represents a unified cataloging standard for descriptive cataloging, offering comprehensive instructions and guidelines for formulating bibliographic data.

Despite the advent of RDA and its potential to enhance cataloging practices, the effective utilization of these standards remains a challenge for many cataloguers. Inadequate attention to details, insufficient practice, and a lack of training often hinder their proficiency in applying AACRs or RDA. To harness the full potential of these cataloging standards, it is imperative for cataloguers to undergo regular training and stay updated with the latest developments in cataloging practices. An invaluable resource in this regard is the online RDA Toolkit (www.rdatoolkit.org), which provides access to the latest updates and resources related to RDA.

This study recognizes the vital role of cataloguers in academic libraries and underscores the importance of their training in ensuring the efficient cataloging of materials. By acquiring proficiency in cataloging standards like RDA, cataloguers can significantly contribute to enhancing the accessibility of intellectual resources in academic libraries, ultimately supporting the scholarly pursuits of users and the attainment of educational goals.