Preservation of library materials at the University of Botswana Library

Abstract

Preservation is the most important building block in ensuring the long term preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage. This article sought to assess preservation practices at the University of Botswana Library. The aim of the study was to establish the preservation challenges faced by the University of Botswana Library and the measures in place for ensur-ing the long term preservation of library collections. Data for the study was collected through questionnaires, interviews, observation and content analysis. The findings of the study indicate that while the Library is housed in a magnificent building and holds vast col-lections of printed materials as well as electronic resources, there is need to implement the draft preservation and conservation policy, improve the house keeping practices and supervi-sion of users using the collections, develop a disaster preparedness plan and develop a strat-egy for the long term preservation of its electronic resources.

Keywords Preservation, conservation, University of Botswana Library, Library materials