Effects of book theft and mutilation on resources and services of University Libraries in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effects of book theft and mutilation on Resources and Services of University Libraries in Imo State, Nigeria. Five research objectives were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was used for the study. The population of the study is 20,867 comprising both users and all the library staff in IMSU and FUTO. The sample size of the study is 533. This is made up of the entire 140 staff and three hundred and ninety two (392) registered users. Rating scale was used as instrument for data collection. Descriptive statistics was used to answer the research questions while Pearson Product moment Correlation (PPMC) was applied in testing of the study hypotheses. Findings show that the extent of book theft and mutilation were very high in the two universities in Imo state leading to shortage of library materials in the academic libraries in Imo State. The study recommends that library managers should sanitize academic library environment by incorporating security Men that will apprehend users who indulge in stealing and mutilation of library materials.