Challenges of Cataloguing Library Resources: The Cataloguer’s Experience

The paper examines the challenges of cataloguing, in Cape Town Metropolitan Public Libraries (CCTML). The paper was necessitated by the postulation that, the extent of access and the use of library resources depends upon the quality of the library catalogue (Arinola, Adigun, Oladeji and Adekunjo, 2012). The following research questions were formulated: what cataloguing knowledge do cataloguers of CCTML have? How is cataloguing carried out in CCTML? What challenges do cataloguers of CCTML experience in cataloguing library resources? Qualitative approach and case study design were employed. The population of the study was made of 6 cataloguers. Data was collected through focus group discussions. Findings indicated that cataloguers experienced challenges of assigning subject headings for non-roman languages sources; allocation of the correct classification notation and the advanced use of the cataloguing standards. Cataloguers had standard knowledge of cataloguing. Descriptive cataloguing; subject analysis and classification processes were carried out. The study recommends the exchange programmes in cataloguing, use of technological tools and decolonization of subject and name authority standards.\nKeywords: Cataloguing, Cataloguing challenges, cataloguing knowledge