Technical Services in Libraries and Information Centres

1. Define and describe the basic concepts of technical services and technical sections.
2. Explain the concept of acquisition of library materials and its importance.
3. Describe the routines and techniques used in the acquisition of library materials.
4. Explain the concept of cataloging and classification of library materials.
5. Discuss the methods of preservation and conservation of library materials.

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Technical Services in Libraries and Information Centers

   • Unit 1: Definitions of Concepts: Technical Section, Technical Services, Libraries and Information Centres · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Understand the definitions of technical section, technical services, libraries, and information centers.. Identify the functions of the technical services section.. Differentiate between a library and an information center..

2. Week 2Module 1: Technical Services in Libraries and Information Centers

   • Unit 2: Different Units and Functions of the Technical Services Section of the Library · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Identify the different units within the technical services section.. Describe the functions of each unit, including acquisition, cataloging, serials, and bindery.. Understand the activities carried out in each unit..

3. Week 3Module 2: Acquisition of Library Materials

   • Unit 1: Concept of Acquisition of Information Resources and Procedures in the Acquisition of Library Materials · 2 hours

     Read Unit 1: Understand the concept of acquisition of information resources.. Learn the procedures involved in the acquisition of library materials.. Identify the records kept in the acquisition unit..

4. Week 4Module 2: Acquisition of Library Materials

   • Unit 2 Selection Tools and Selection Criteria · 2 hours

     Study Unit 2: Learn about the different selection tools used in libraries.. Understand the criteria for book selection.. Explore readers' request files, books in print, publishers' catalogs, and book reviews..

5. Week 5Module 2: Acquisition of Library Materials

   • Unit 3 Methods of Acquisition of Library Materials · 2 hours

     Read Unit 3: Describe the different methods of acquisition of library materials.. Discuss the procedures and techniques employed in acquisition.. Understand exchange, gifts/donations, legal deposit, and purchase methods..

6. Week 6Module 2: Acquisition of Library Materials

   • Unit 4 Arrival/Receipt of Ordered Materials in the Library · 2 hours

     Study Unit 4: Explain the systematic steps taken on the arrival of new library materials.. Learn how to ascertain the details of newly acquired materials.. Outline the challenges in receiving new library materials..

7. Week 7Module 2: Acquisition of Library Materials

   • Unit 5 Acquisition and Processing of Periodicals · 2 hours

     Read Unit 5: Explain what periodicals are and how they are acquired.. State how serial materials are acquired.. Explain the various ways of processing serial publications, including recording, indexing, and abstracting..

8. Week 8Module 3: Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials

   • Unit 1: Definitions and Functions of Cataloguing and Classification · 2 hours

     Study Unit 1: Define cataloging and classification.. Explain the two stages of cataloging library resources.. Discuss the functions of cataloging and classification in libraries..

9. Week 9Module 3: Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials

   • Unit 2: Types and forms of Catalogue · 2 hours

     Read Unit 2: Explain the two kinds of catalogs based on their arrangement.. Discuss the physical forms of catalogs.. Explain the terms main entry and added entries..

10. Week 10Module 3: Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials

    • Unit 3: Types of Classification Schemes used in Libraries · 2 hours

      Study Unit 3: Determine the major classification schemes used in libraries.. Explain the basic ingredients of the Library of Congress Classification Scheme (LC).. Discuss the features and popularity of the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme (DDC)..

11. Week 11Module 3: Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials

    • Unit 4: Procedures in Cataloguing and Classification · 2 hours

      Read Unit 4: Explain how Machine-Readable Cataloging started.. Enumerate the procedures in classification of information resources.. Explain procedures for Online cataloging..

12. Week 12Module 3: Cataloguing and Classification of Library Materials

    • Unit 5: The Filing Systems in the Library · 2 hours

      Study Unit 5: Describe the basic principles of filing.. Explain the rules and procedures for filing.. Discuss the three basic systems of filing entries..

13. Week 13Module 4: Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials

    • Unit I Concept of Preservation and Conservation in library and Information Centres · 2 hours

      Read Unit 1: Explain the concept of preservation and conservation.. Discuss the principles of conservation of library materials.. Explain the basic elements that need to be considered in preserving library materials..