KNOWLEDGE ORGANISATION SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THEIR EFFECT ON RESOURCE DISCOVERY AND ACCESS BY LIBRARIANS IN STATE UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
KNOWLEDGE ORGANISATION SYSTEMS AND ELECTRONIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THEIR EFFECT ON RESOURCE DISCOVERY AND ACCESS BY LIBRARIANS IN STATE UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA
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Date
2026
Authors
OLATOYE, Adebola Aderemi
BOLOGUN, Opeyemi Olufunmilayo
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Library and Information Management Forum Vol. 28. No. 1 2026
Abstract
This study explored the influence of knowledge organisation systems (KOS) and electronic
resources management (ERM) practices on resource discovery and access in state universities
in Southwest Nigeria. The objectives include investigating the current state of KOS
implementation and metadata practices; ERM workflows and their integration with discovery
layers; the perceived effects of KOS and ERM on users’ discovery success and access barriers;
and the capacity, infrastructural, and policy constraints that shape outcomes. The study
adopted a descriptive survey research and used a qualitative exploratory design, data were
collected from 30 purposively selected librarians through semi-structured interviews and
document analysis. Thematic analysis revealed that knowledge organisation systems, including
classification schemes, subject headings, and metadata schemas, remains central to
intellectual access, but inconsistencies in cataloguing, limited staff capacity, and inadequate
representation of local concepts constrain optimal performance. Electronic resources
management systems enhanced workflow transparency, subscription monitoring, and resource
access; however, infrastructural limitations, system downtime, and reliance on external
vendors undermined continuity. Discovery layers improved search efficiency, yet metadata
quality and system integration affected user experience. Librarians adopted adaptive strategies
such as local metadata guidelines and user training to mitigate challenges. The study
concluded that discovery and access outcomes are shaped by the interaction of system quality,
metadata accuracy, librarian expertise, and institutional infrastructure. The study
recommended strengthening professional capacity, improving infrastructure, enhancing
metadata standardisation, localising controlled vocabularies, and optimising ERM workflows.
The findings provide actionable insights for improving the visibility, accessibility, and usability
of information resources in academic libraries
Description
Journal of Library and Information Management Forum