Information Resources Security and Preservation in University Libraries in Imo Sate

Abstract

The study aimed at ascertaining the security and preservation of information resources in university libraries in Imo State. A survey  research design was adopted. Three research questions jand three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The population of the study is 395 professional and paraprofessional staff members of university libraries selected in Imo State. For the fact that the study  population is not much, the researcher adopted census or total enumeration technique that enabled the adoption of the entire  population as sample. A four-point Likert rating scale and observation checklist were the instruments of data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used in analyzing the research questions, while the entire hypotheses were tested using ttest of significance at  0.05 alpha level. Findings showed that: the security threats to information resources in these libraries include, theft, vandalism,  mutilation, natural disasters, cybercrimes, virus/worm attacks, web hacking, etc., and the mean rating score of security threats to information resources in university libraries in Imo State is significant; the information resources in the libraries are to a very high extent  vulnerable to security threats and their extent of vulnerability is significant; while preservation methods are to a high extent adopted in  preserving information resources in these libraries. The researchers therefore, recommended among others that, librarians should be  engaged in training and training and retraining prgrammes on the use of modern gadgets facilities in curbing security threats and  preserving information resources.