A study of delinquent behaviours in private university libraries: the case of Veritas and Baze University Libraries, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

One of the greatest challenges facing libraries all over the world is how to effectively curb the menace of user delinquency. Academic libraries in Nigeria and particularly private university libraries are not isolated from this problem. Consequently, this study examined the issue of user delinquency in private universities using the Veritas University Library, Abuja and Baze University Library, Abuja as case studies. This work sought to draw attention to these negative behavioral traits of students who use the library, point out their negative implications for the library as well as suggest alternative practices to, and/or remedies for them. A survey research design was adopted and the Questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection in addition to observation methods. Questionnaires were administered to the user services librarians in the libraries sampled for the study who were in charge of the general reading rooms where most of these problems occur. The data collected from respondents were analyzed based on the research questions designed for this study. It was revealed through the data collected from the study that the most frequent user delinquencies include: stealing of library books, hiding books from other users and mutilating pages of library books. In view of the foregoing, the researcher recommended amongst others installation of security systems in the library; putting expensive or popular titles on reserve for short term loans etc.

Keywords: Delinquent, Behaviours, University, Libraries