Components of Preservation and Availability of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in South-South Geo-Political Region, Nigeria (Published)
The paper studied preservation and availability of information resources in academic libraries in south-south geo-political region, Nigeria. The study was hinged on correlational research design. The population of the study was culled from three academic libraries in the South-South Geopolitical region of Nigeria, namely Donald Ekong Library, University of Port Harcourt, Kenneth Dike Library, University of Ibadan and Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 87 respondents. 84 (97%) respondents provided complete response. Data were collected, arranged and analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). Findings show that preservation techniques of preventive preservation, passive preservation, active preservation and restorative preservation have significant relationship with the availability of library resources with active preservation having the highest significant relationship in academic libraries in south-south geopolitical zone in Nigeria. Consequently, it was recommended that libraries should engage in active preservation its collection and to ensure availability of library resources.
Keywords: Academic Libraries, Preservation, Universities, active preservation, and restorative preservation, passive preservation, preventive preservation
Information Resources Preservation in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Strategies (Published)
Natural disasters, human, chemical, biological and environmental factors were responsible for deterioration of information resources in the university libraries. Photocopying, re-binding, fumigation, microfilming, lamination, air conditioning and digitization techniques were adopted for preservation of information resources and books were mostly borrowed and consulted in the libraries in developing world. Based on literature, the study recommended that management of the universities should acquire a variety of information resources which should not be limited to books, serials, reference sources but to include e-resources with preservation consciousness. Thus, preservation of deteriorating information resources in libraries has become a global phenomenon to which academic libraries must aggressively respond if their mission of providing information needs to their patrons is to be achieved in this era of dwindling budgetary allocation to libraries couple with the present economic recession. It can therefore be said that the aim of information resources preservation programs is to maintain and preserve information materials according to their use and their significance. Thus, preservation of information resources is an important aspect of library and information management.
Citation: Olubiyo P.O. and Olubiyo L.M. (2023) Information Resources Preservation in Academic Libraries: Challenges and Strategies, International Journal of Library and Information Science Studies, Vol.9, No.3, pp.24-34
Keywords: Academic Libraries, Information resources, Preservation, Strategies.
Digital Preservation of Information Resources on COVID-19 in Libraries: A Theoretical Perspective (Published)
The aim of this study was to examine how information resources on COVID-19 can be effectively preserved digitally. The study adopted the exploratory research design. Data was obtained through in-depth review of relevant literature on the subject matter. The findings were analyzed descriptively. Digital Preservation of information resources on COVID-19 requires skilled manpower and adequate knowledge of what digital preservation is all about, the processes and procedures; there are immense benefits in digital preservation of information resource; on COVID-19 requires adequate funding to procure hard and softwares; most organizations do not have the political will to embark on digital preservation of their information resources; There is proliferation of information on covid-19 in both print and electronic media. Digital preservation of information resources on COVID-19 will ensure effective access to information on COVID-19 by both present and future generations. The paper recommended among others that: Institutions and organizations embarking on digital preservation of information resources generally and covid-19 in particular, must ensure that their staff are well trained to acquire the requisite skills in digital preservation; the relevant authorities responsible for digital preservation of information resources should avail themselves of the benefits derivable from digital preservation and develop the political will to accept and embark on digital preservation of their information resources, especially those on covid-19; Institutions and organizations must be willing to provide adequate funds to support the process of the digital preservation of information resources on COVID-19; libraries should monitor, harvest, digitize and channel information on COVID-19 into their digital institutional repositories for present use and the use of posterity.
Keywords: Libraries, Preservation, digital preservation, information resources; COVID-19
The Effect of Librarians’ Knowledge and Funding on Preservation and Conservation Practices in Public University Libraries in Nigeria (Published)
Librarians down the ages have been charged with the responsibility of managing information resources and the library users. One of the management practices in the library is preservation and conservation of library resources which is aimed at ensuring the longevity of the library resources. This is a critical concern at this period of dwindling budgetary allocation to public universities where subtle fund is release to the library for the purchase of resources and therefore little or no chance should be given to deterioration. This study therefore investigates some of the key preservation and conservation practices in public universities in Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 183 respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The finding revealed that the knowledge level shown by librarians towards the preservation and conservation of information materials was relatively high and the level of training for staff and funding of conservation and preservation practices in the selected university libraries has improved greatly when compared with previous studies of conservation and preservation. The study recommends that the library management should maintain and improve on the pace of funding and training of staff on preservation and conservation practices in public university in Nigeria.
Keywords: Conservation Practices, Funding, Librarians’ Knowledge, Nigeria, Preservation, Public University Libraries
Maintenance Culture in Academic Libraries of Universities in South West, Nigeria (Published)
This study explored maintenance culture in academic libraries of universities in south west, Nigeria by taking a cursory look at Lagos State University Library, Ekiti State University Library, Ado – Ekiti and Olusegun Oke Library of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso as case studies. Related literatures were reviewed on sub heading that concerns the subject matter. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Fifty (50) questionnaires were distributed to each of the university library sampled for the study making a total of One Hundred and Fifty questionnaires (150) in all. Out of this One – Hundred and Twenty Eight (128) were returned valid. Four point Lickert scale was used to elicit responses and data collected analysed using frequency count and percentages (%). The findings of the research work indicated some causes of deterioration of library materials in south west Nigeria which are characterized by high temperature and humidity, natural ageing, mutilation by users, insect activities among others. Some of the maintenance practices identified in the course of the work as being practiced were careful removal of documents from shelves, binding of torn books, fumigation, photocopying, digitization, mounting of securities to check delinquencies among others. It was revealed that there were lack of constant training and retraining for staff on preservation, no preservation policies, inadequate funding, lack of functional library equipments for preservation and conservation among others. Based on the findings, the study recommended the following: working policies should be formulated on maintenance, training should be organized, open communication should be established between library management and university community, equipment on preservation and conservation of library materials should be procured.
Keywords: Academic Libraries, Conservation, Deterioration, Maintenance, Maintenance Culture, Nigeria, Preservation, South-west, Universities
Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials in University Libraries in South-West, Nigeria (Published)
Libraries in third world countries despite the constraints of finance confronting them still make huge investment on acquisition of library resources. Deterioration of library resources has been one of the greatest challenges plaguing the libraries. In order to savage these library resources and the libraries from a colossal loss of her heritage, this study examines preservation and conservation of library materials in university libraries in South-West, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A total enumeration technique was used for selecting 308 respondents for the study. Questionnaire was used for data collection and was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that library security is the most used measure of preservation and conservation practices. Dust and particulate matter are the greatest causes of deterioration to library materials. The finding further revealed that dusting, cleaning and proper shelving are the major techniques adopted by the libraries. The study concluded that lack of proper preservation and conservation practices in the universities are the cause of resource loss and deterioration. Therefore, the study recommended that libraries should deploy modern preservation and conservation tools such as technologically enabled ICT devices which will aid adequate storage and enhance the durability and longevity of information materials in the libraries.
Keywords: Conservation, Libraries, Preservation, Universities. South-West