Contemporary Tendences in Serbian Academic Librarianship with Special Emphasis on Cataloguing and Classifying Library Materials

Abstract

          Academic librarianship of Serbia is being developed gradually. Followed by many problems which are permanently present, it recognizes its’ interests in the modern scientific and technical environment. This librarianship is oriented towards its’ users e.g. internal and external readers. Although marketing is indispensable, it is being implemented just from time to time without an accurate strategy which would be followed by some alternative solutions in the academic libraries of Serbia.          

         Normative acts determine the tasks of libraries, their departments and the employed very clearly. However, the implementation of marketing orientation would be very usefull in all the segments of library activity. Although all the academic libraries do not have identical dimensions, tasks and users, marketing as an orientation would promote their service quality. It is possible to realize sustainable development in the field of librarianship and informatics if focusing on the end user exists as a permanent orientation.

          There is a strong tendency in the academic librarianship of Serbia to respect and implement internationally accepted standards. Librarians follow the activities of ISO. Technical bases of work are being adjusted to world standards. Modern tendencies impose the creation of institutional repositories in the context of present technical, financial and space conditions. Library staff relies on professional system of training particularly in the field of cataloguing and classifying monographies, periodicals and articles.          

           Information literacy becomes a precondition of an intellectual freedom. The number of PC-s in households increased remarkably from 2001 until today. It is not amazing because the prices of PC-s on the market decreased and the quality of this equipment increased. New generations of PC-s are the object of sale in the department stores of technical goods. Globalising is intensified. It includes individuals and institutions  in almost all professional fields.

          Librarians, associations of libraries as well as academic journals point out the indispensability of developing information literacy, electronic resources and digital libraries. The role of the National Library of Serbia stays extremely important for the improvement of collaboration among academic librarians and for the promotion of professional work. An electronic catalogue is the face of each library towards the world. 

           Therefore this paper will point out the actual situation in cataloguing and classifying library materials in Serbian academic environment.