Perception of library staff on the preservation and conservation of library resources in the Federal University of Agriculture Library, Abeokuta

Abstract

Maintaining and managing resources in the library will add not only to its value but preserve it for its future use. This study focused on the perceived usefulness and general practices of preservation and conservation of library resources at the Federal university of Agriculture library, Abeokuta, Nigeria. All the staffs both in university library and college libraries were involved in the study. A questionnaire and observation methods was used for data collection. The result of the study showed that the library stored both printed and electronic materials and for preservation of electronic resources, information technology was adopted as preservative method in the library, while physical factors contributing to the deterioration of printed materials was ‘poor handling of books on the shelf and mutilation and vandalism of books. The result also indicated high useful on the perceived usefulness of preservation of printed materials in the library. Availability of fire extinguisher in each unit was rated high as one of the preservative measure in place in the library. The challenges faced were lack of preservation policy as well as lack of funding to purchase preservation equipment in the library. The study recommends that the library management should organise seminar or workshop to train all library staff on the importance of preservation and conservation of library resources and promote awareness within the organisation.

Keywords: preservation and conservation, library materials, perceived usefulness, university of Agriculture and library staff