Abstract
The study examines the application of Resource Description and Access (RDA) in academic
libraries, with a focus on the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). It assessed the
level of awareness of RDA among cataloguing staff, the extent of its application in
cataloguing practices, the challenges hindering its adoption, and strategies for improvement.
A descriptive survey design was employed, and structured questionnaires were administered
to cataloguers and librarians using simple random sampling. The population was 60
cataloguers and metadata librarians across the six geographical zones in Nigeria and Data
were analyzed with descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, to examine
awareness, implementation levels, perceived benefits, and barriers to RDA usage. Findings
revealed that while cataloguing staff demonstrated moderate awareness of RDA, its practical
implementation remained inconsistent and limited. Major challenges included infrastructural
inadequacies, insufficient training opportunities, and the absence of institutional policies to
support the transition to modern cataloguing standards. Despite these challenges, respondents
acknowledged RDA's potential to enhance resource description, interoperability, and access
to information. The study concludes that without deliberate institutional commitment, the
adoption of RDA will remain slow and fragmented. It recommends targeted capacity-building
initiatives to improve staff expertise, formulation of supportive policies, and greater
investment in ICT infrastructure to address infrastructural gaps. These measures are critical
for aligning Nigerian academic libraries with international metadata standards, improving
cataloguing accuracy, and enhancing access to knowledge resources.
Keywords: Resource Description and Access (RDA), Cataloguing and Classification, Academic Libraries, Metadata Standards
Publication Date: 2025-11-08