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The core of every library is the collection and that collection is processed and made available by and through technical services. The primary functions of technical services in all types of libraries include managing the purchase and receipt, description and analysis, and physical processing and preservation of materials in all formats for which a library provides access. This article explores four aspects of technical services: acquisitions, cataloging, serials management, and processing and preservation to provide a fundamental understanding of technical services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to discuss new paradigms in cataloguing in 21st century and its implications and challenges for libraries in developing countries like Nigeria. The authors recommended the adoption of new strategies. The paper adopted four dimensional approaches in the discussion of issues. In the first part, the paper introduces the concept of 21st century library. The second approach focused on the role of information and communication technology in cataloguing and recent cataloguing practices. In the third approach, the paper compared cataloguing practices in developed countries with Nigeria. The fourth and final approach discussed implications, challenges and strategies for Nigerian libraries to adopt. The paper listed some challenges and strategies that Nigerian libraries and other developing countries should adopt, such as funding, training of staff, provision and maintenance of infrastructure, eradication of corruption, and so on. While there is numerous literature on the challenges of application of ICT to library operations in Nigeria, very few recommend practical and workable strategies to solving the problems. This paper proposed the adoption of new and workable strategies to efficient and effective application of ICT to cataloguing operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in ephemera collections within libraries will necessitate the bibliographic control of materials that do not easily fall into traditional categories. This paper discusses the many challenges confronting catalogers when approaching a mixed collection of unique materials of an ephemeral nature. Based on their experience cataloging a collection of Pennsylvania German broadsides and Fraktur at the Pennsylvania State University, the authors describe the process of deciphering handwriting, preserving genealogical information, deciding on cataloging approaches at the format and field level, and furthering access to the materials through digitization and the Encoded Archival Description finding aid. Observations are made on expanding the skills of traditional book catalogers to include manuscript cataloging, and on project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study which examined possible improvements and barriers to making grey literature easier for people to find and use. People have defined grey literature in many different ways. Grey literature is that which is produced on all levels of government, academics, business and industry in print and electronic formats, but which is not controlled by commercial publishers. Electronic forms of grey literature have greatly increased the number of grey literature documents. Including electronic items expands earlier definitions. Rather than only physical objects such as paper, video and microfiche, grey literature now includes a much larger array of documents, including Websites, electronic datasets and electronically published articles and reports. Traditionally, grey literature consists of categories of documents like technical reports, theses and dissertations, newsletters and datasets, often uncataloged and hidden from the public view. Even in the thirteen libraries visited in the study, a large amount of grey literature remains uncataloged, which makes finding and using it difficult. It was clear from the interviews that cataloging is done at a variety of levels, from no cataloging, to cataloging reports at the series level, to cataloging each document separately.