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In recent times, information products are becoming more often packaged and repackaged in electronic formats. Cataloguing these resources is a core responsibility of libraries and librarians. A major emerging standardization tool for cataloguing electronic resources is the “resource description and access” (RDA). This article examined the imperatives of RDA implementation among libraries in a developing country—Nigeria. It reviewed global trends and observed the poor RDA implementation level among libraries in Nigeria. It also identified challenges of RDA implementation peculiar to a developing country like Nigeria. The article further outlined strategies that would help to deal with the identified challenges. It concluded that the implementation of RDA is not optional, but mandatory for Nigerian libraries if they must be and remain relevant in the competitive world of librarianship.

This chapter discusses the concept disaster in libraries in developing countries and the need for digital preservation of library resources. It started with the definition of disaster as an event that produces casualties. It also highlighted the types, causes and effects of disasters in libraries. The chapter further discusses the concept of digital preservation of library materials as a viable option for disaster management. It also enumerated and discussed the various methods of digital preservation of library resources. The chapter also explains X-ray, the concept of libraries in developing countries and disaster preservation; it also discusses various challenges that developing countries face in terms of digital preservation of resources. Based on these discussions, the chapter concludes and makes recommendations so as to improve the level of library and information services as well as disaster preparedness in developing countries.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have affected every sphere of human endeavor, including teaching, learning, and research. The evolution of ICTs has brought about the emergence of electronic journals (also known as e-journals). This chapter focuses on electronic journals and their importance in teaching and research. It covers the evolution of e-journals in the education landscape and current trends in the use of e-journals in developing countries. The chapter also examines the challenges of e-journal usage in developing countries and made recommendations.

Social media use has become the norm in information services delivery. It holds the unique advantage of delivering service to users through social interaction. This chapter discussed social media use in academic libraries in a developing country: Nigeria. It examined the concept and definition of social media; it also discussed trends in social media usage in libraries. The chapter further outlined the types of social media tools used in libraries. It discussed the peculiar challenges of social media use in Nigeria and proffered solutions.

The purpose of this paper was to discuss new paradigms in cataloguing in 21 st 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 21 st 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 literatures 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 proposes the adoption of new and workable strategies to efficient and effective application of ICT to cataloguing operations.

The role of digital libraries in information generation,organization, dissemination and storage cannot be overemphasized. This article articulates the importance of digital libraries and the need to preserve them from disasters. It highlights the causes and effects of disasters in digital libraries. Prevention and management of disasters were also discussed. Issues and challenges around information and communication technology (ICT), that has direct bearings on digital libraries and disaster management in developing countries were raised. In addition, recommendations were made on how to improve on disaster prevention and control.

Disaster management has been a subject of interest to libraries and librarians, because of its implications for disaster preparedness and control. This paper is a review of literature on disasters experienced by libraries in some developing nations, with a view to discovering workable solutions that would help to either prevent or manage future occurrences. It examined library disasters in Egypt, Philippines, Nepal, Jamaica, Nigeria and Malawi among others. The paper observed that the initial response of the affected libraries to these disasters was poor. It therefore advocated for the need for disaster plan and preparedness among libraries and librarians in developing countries. It further suggested the following as the way forward – conduct of risk assessment, formulation of disaster plan and policies, mitigation, quick response to disaster and workable recovery plan among others. As a result of this research, it was concluded that disasters would be prevented and better managed in libraries if these precautions and recommendations are implemented.

Digital libraries have become a modern day phenomenon. Their roles in information generation,organization, dissemination and storage cannot be overemphasized. This chapter articulates the importance of digital libraries and the need to preserve them from disasters. It highlights the causes and effects of disasters in digital libraries. Prevention and management of disasters were also discussed. Issues and challenges around information and communication technology (ICT), that has direct bearings on digital libraries and disaster management in developing countries were raised. In addition, recommendations were made on how to improve on disaster prevention and control.