Usability of Library Management Software: An Evaluation of the effectiveness of Cataloguing module used in Nigerian University Libraries

Abstract

The study w IS curried out 10 determine the effectiveness of cataloguing module of Library Management Software (LAtS) in service delivery in Federal University Libraries in Nigeria, A combination if quasi experiment and survey design were adopted for the study. The population of the study was 385 library staff consisting of professional and para-professional librarians. Purposive sail/piing technique was adopted to select 70 participating users for the study. Usability testing was conducted and observation and interview were used to collect data from the participants, Result indicated that Alexandria (56,67 %). SLAM(66.67 %) and NewGenlib (53.33%) cataloguing module's effectiveness were at acceptable level. However, Koha (26.67 %) cataloguing module's effectiveness was not at acceptable level and due to the absence of MARC or z39.50 feature. SLAM was not recommended for use. Therefore. the study recommended that the software under study should be improved when developing newer version to enhance the effectiveness of service delivery.