A survey of preservation and conservation practices and techniques in Nigerian university libraries

Abstract

This study investigated the various techniques used in the preservation and conservation of library materials in selected university libraries in Nigeria. Particularly, it examined the causes and nature of deterioration, patterns and strategies used in their control, existence of preservation and conservation policies and constraints limiting effective preservation and conservation. The survey method was used. Fifteen (15) university libraries were purposively selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data were structured into grouped frequency distributions using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Findings revealed that preservation and conservation techniques, though adopted in the university libraries were not effectively in use although the libraries all have preservation polices. The study also revealed that cleaning and dusting of library materials is the most commonly used technique. The study established that there are indeed incidences of deterioration the most prominent results being books becoming torn and cracking and scratching. Further results showed that though some of the libraries adopt and use some digital preservation techniques, they are still not effectively used. Other findings revealed that inadequate funding was the most severe inhibitor to effective preservation and conservation activities in the university libraries. Based on the findings, recommendations were made towards improving preservation and conservation practices in the libraries.