Challenges of digital preservation in federal University libraries in North Western states of Nigeria appraisal of circulation routine duties in academic libraries

Abstract

This paper investigates the challenges militating against successful preservation of digital information resources in federal university libraries in North Western States of Nigeria. Qualitative research method was adopted, purposive sampling was adopted for the study; the instruments used to collect data were the interview and observation. The responses were analyzed descriptively. The study revealed that the predominant challenges militating against successful preservation of digital information resources were lack of digital preservation policy inadequate power supply, unskilled professionals, technological obsolescence, poor maintenance culture, technophobia, storage media degradation, inadequate funding, changes in technology and inadequate infrastructure. The paper recommended that digital preservation policy, standby generators and inverters need to be provided, adequate professionals need to be employed, file formats need to be emulated and storage media needs to be refreshed.