Challenges of Cataloguing and Classification of Non-Book Materials in Kaduna State Library Board

This study investigated the challenges encountered in cataloguing and classifying non-book materials at the Kaduna State Library Board in North West Nigeria. Non-book materials, including maps, audio-visual items, and electronic resources, present unique organisational difficulties that standard cataloguing rules do not always address comprehensively. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from twelve professional library staff using a structured interview guide and an observation checklist. The study found that staff lacked adequate training in handling non-book formats, that existing cataloguing tools were outdated, and that financial constraints limited the procurement of appropriate software. Furthermore, inconsistent application of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules and Dewey Decimal Classification created retrieval problems for library users. The study recommended the provision of targeted continuing professional development programmes, the adoption of current standards such as Resource Description and Access, and increased budgetary allocations for library operations. The findings are particularly relevant for state-level public libraries in northern Nigeria that are working to modernise their collections and improve access to diverse information formats. Keywords: cataloguing, classification, non-book materials, Kaduna State Library Board, professional development.