OZIOKO, ANGELA CHINEDUM

PG/MLS/09/51169

PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF LIBRARY

RESOURCES IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-

EAST ZONE, NIGERIA

Digitally Signed by: Content manager’s Name

DN : CN = Webmaster’s name

O = University of Nigeria, Nsukka

OU = Innovation Centre

Ugwoke Oluchi C.

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

FACULTY OF EDUCTION

ii

PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN FEDERAL

UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH-EAST ZONE, NIGERIA

BY

OZIOKO, ANGELA CHINEDUM

PG/MLS/09/51169

PROJECT SEMINAR PRESENTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND

INFORMATION SCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA, FOR THE PARTIAL

FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER DEGREE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF

NIGERIA, NSUKKA.

SUPERVISOR: DR V.N. NWACHUKWYU

JANUARY, 2014

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APPROVAL PAGE

This project has been approved for the Department of Library and Information Science,

University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

BY

……………………. ………………………

Dr V.N. Nwachukwu

SUPERVISOR INTERNAL EXAMINER

………………….. …………………………

Dr V.N Nwachukwu

EXTERNAL EXAMINER HEAD OF DEPARTMENT

…………………………..

Prof. I.S.E. Ifelunni

DEAN, FACULTY OF EDUCATION

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CERTIFICATION

Angela Chinedum Ozioko, a Postgraduate student in the Department of Library and Information

Science with Registration Number PG/MLS/09/51169, has satisfactorily completed research

requirements for the award of Mater in Library and Information Science. The work embodied in this

project is original and has not been submitted in part or in full for another degree of this or any other

University.

……………………………. .……………………………..

Angela Chinedum Ozioko Date

PG/MLS/09/51169

……………………………… …………………………….

Dr, Victor N. NwaChukwu Date

Supervisor

v

DEDICATION

This work is humbly dedicated to Almighty God who is the source of wisdom and who has

also led me throughout the Programme. This work is also dedicated to my lovely children and my

friends for their encouragement and support.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I humbly express my sincere and profound gratitude to Almighty God who sustained me in all

ramifications throughout the period of this study. I thank my humble and able supervisor, Dr, V.N.

Nwachukwu whose special guidance and brotherly handling acted as a pillar for reaching this stage.

I also express my gratitude to all the lecturers in the Department of Library and Information

Science for their encouragement, inspiration and co-operation which had helped in producing this

work. May God bless you all.

I am also grateful to my dearly and numerous friends and relations who contributed in the

development of this programme. I thank you all in Jesus name.

Finally, my wonderful and lovely children are not left out as I thank and bless them for the

support and prayers they showered on me throughout the programme. I love you all so much.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page - - - - - - - - - - - i

Approval Page - - - - - - - - - - ii

Certification - - - - - - - - - - - iii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - - iv

Acknowledgements - - - - - - - - - - - v

Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - - vi

List of Tables - - - - - - - - - - - viii

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - - ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION - - - - - - - 1

Background of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 1

Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - - - - 7

Purpose of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 9

Significance of the Study - - - - - - - - - 9

Research Questions - - - - - - - - - - 10

Scope of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 11

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE - - - - - 12

Conceptual Framework - - - - - - - - - 12

Preservation and Conservation Practices in Libraries - - - - - 22

Factors Necessitating Libraries Adoption of Preservation

and Conservation Practice - - - - - - - - - 25

Library Resources to which Preservation and

Conservation Practices are Applied to - - - - - - - - 30

Human Resources Needed for Preservation and Conservation in Libraries. - - - 37

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Problems Associated With Preservation and Conservation in Libraries - - - - 39

Strategies for the Enhancement of Preservation and Conservation in Libraries - - 47

Review of Related Empirical Studies - - - - - - - - 54

Summary of Literature Review - - - - - - - - 62

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD - - - - - - 64

Design of the Study - - - - - - - - - - 64

Population of the Study - - - - - - - - - 64

Sample and Sampling Technique - - - - - - - - 65

Instrument for Data Collection - - - - - - - - 65

Validation of the Instrument - - - - - - - - - 67

Method of Data Collection - - - - - - - - - 67

Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - - - - - 67

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION OF DATA - - - - - 69

Summary of the Major Findings - - - - - - - - 78

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION - - - - - 79

Discussion of Findings - - - - - - - - - 79

Limitations of the Study - - - - - - - - - 83

Suggestions for Further Study - - - - - - - - 84

Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - - 84

REFERENCES - - - - - - - - - - 86

APPENDICES - - - - - - - - - - 92

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Mean ( x ) Responses Library Preservation and Conservation practices available in federal

university libraries in South-East, Nigeria.

Table 2: Mean ( x ) Responses of Academic Library Staff on the extent are these practice used in these

libraries.

Table 3: Mean ( x ) Responses of Library staff on the prevailing factors necessitating these libraries in

adopting preservation and conservation practices in these libraries.

Table 4: Mean ( x ) Responses of preservation and conservation practices applied to library materials

in these libraries?

Table 5: Mean ( x ) Responses of Library staff on problems encountered in preservation and

conservation practices in these libraries.

Table 6: Mean ( x ) Responses of Library staff of strategies to enhance the preservation and

conservation practices in these libraries

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ABSTRACT

This study was designed to look at the preservation and conservation of Library Resources in Federal

University Libraries in South –East of Nigeria. The objectives were: to determine the preservation and

conservation practices; ascertain the extent such practices are applied; examine the prevailing factor

necessitating these libraries; examine the library resources where these preservation and conservation

practices are applied; Highlight on the problem associated with the preservation and conservation

practices; suggest ways of enhancing the preservation and conservation practices in Federal

Universities. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study, and 93 academic libraries

comprised of the four University Libraries in South-East Zone were sampled. There was no need for

sampling since the entire populations which are the 93 academic libraries in the four Federal

Universities were used. Observation checklist, Questionnaire and Oral interview were used for data

collection. 93 copies of questionnaire was distributed and collected, representing the 100% in

analyzing the data obtained, frequency counts, simple percentages, and mean (X) were used as

statistical methods. The results obtained from the findings, revealed that various types of preservation

and observation practices exist in University Libraries; that despite the preservation and conservation

practices available in there libraries; that library resources are deplorable in these libraries; that the

academic Librarians agreed with factors necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation and

conservation; that the academic librarians are merely satisfied with the extent under which

preservation and conservation are applied to materials in these libraries; that there are some problems

associated with preservation and conservation of library resources in these libraries; that many

strategies were suggested by the academic librarians to enhance the preservation and conservation

polices in these libraries. Based on the finding, it was recommended that these libraries should put into

practice all the available preservation and conservation polices in their libraries; that regular power

supply should be improved upon; sanctions among the librarians should be encouraged; tanning

personnel of the library should be organized for the academic librarians; adequate funding and

infrastructure should be given to the library users; proper cleaning and dusting as well as proper

shelving of books should be given to library materials; eating in the library should be discouraged and

regular fumigation of the library should be put into practice.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Preservation and conservation are essential library activities which when well implemented has

the capability of sustaining and promoting library activities for a very long time. However,

preservation is often used interchangeably with conservation, besides, there is a subtle difference

between the two. Preservation suggests that natural resources will be left undisturbed, while

conservation usually indicates some resource management.

The process of preservation and conservation are applied to safeguard the library materials

from further decay and deterioration. Preservation is the process in which all actions are taken to check

and retard deterioration where as conservation includes proper diagnosis of the decayed materials,

timely curative treatment and appropriate prevention from further decay. In effect, these two terms

could be used inter-changeably. In other words, ‘Preservation’ and ‘Conservation’ depicts the

activities which libraries use for the maintenance and sustenance of library resources and facilities

which could be human or material. However, Anjaiah (2008) stresses that “the words” preservation

and conservation” are often used interchangeably to mean: the process of keeping an object safe from

harm or loss, damage, destruction or delay, and maintaining it in a reasonably sound condition for

present and future use. He maintained that these two words are different, though interrelated and

overlapping connotations. As a result of this, Harvey (1993) also explained that the terms

“Preservation and “Conservation” have been used interchangeably in library literature until the last

few years. He maintained that currently, conservation is the more specific term and is particularly used

in relation to specific objectives while “preservation” is a broader concept covering conservation as

well as actions relating to protection between “Preservation and “Conservation”. He explained that

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preservation applies to various strategies for preserving the intellectual content” while “Conservation”

is primarily concerned with ensuring that the original artifact is maintained and secure”. Similarly, the

New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary (1996) also stressed that to conserve, defend,

guard, keep, maintain, sustain among others are synonyms for preservation”.

By definition therefore, preservation of library activities has been defined as the totality of the

steps necessary to ensure the permanent accessibility of a particular material forever. Suman (2008)

defined preservation as the transfer of information to another medium, such as microfilm and

electronic materials. However, the new international Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary (1996)

defined “preservation” as “a noun for the word preserve which means to keep in safety or to keep from

destruction. Similarly, Wikipedia (2009) defined “preservation” as the branch of library and

information science concerned with maintaining or restoring access to artifacts documents, different

from conservation which refers to the treatment and repair of individual items to show decay or restore

them to useable state. In the same view, Harrods librarian glossary also defined “preservation” as the

managerial and financial considerations including storage, techniques and methods involved in

preserving library and achieve materials and the information contained in them”. Ogbodo (2004) also

stressed that “preservation” involves all the measures taken to guarantee the safety of prints and non-

print materials in the libraries. Similar, Ania (2007) explain that “preservation is a means of taking

care of library materials to avoid deterioration. Okonkwo (2009) was not left out as he also defined

“preservation” as “the totality of measures for maintaining the integrity of document and the

information contained in them which includes all the managerial and financial considerations, storage

and accommodation provisions, staffing level policies, techniques and methods involved in safe

guarding documentary materials.

On the other hand, “conservation is also seen as an occurrence of improvement by virtue of

preventing loss or injury or other change. Similarly, Popoola (2003) defined conservation as policies

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and operations embarked upon by the managers of libraries and with the aim of increasing the life span

of their information resources by preventing damage or remedying deterioration. He further explained

that it may also be seen as direct physical intervention arresting or showing down deterioration of

library resources. However, Harrison (1992) stressed that conservation is about good house-keeping,

learning how to handle and store resources to do the least damage, not subjecting it to unnecessarily

heavy use and ensuring that back-up or safety copies exist. Therefore, conservation is a preventive but

active measure, for doing something to the material, not putting it in the wrong environment, not

handling or touching the surface or running material through faulty equipment which will scratch and

damage it.

Generally, available literature has shown that libraries and their resources are essential tools for

education and these resources are generally ephemeral (short life span) and as such because of the

constant use they undergo every day in libraries especially in university libraries, they are bound to

tear and wear. But despite these facts, they are bound to be used.

University library generally, according to Edoka (2000) are those libraries attached to

universities to support teaching, learning and research. Similar to this, Aguotu (1989) also said that

university library like any other forms of establishment is designed and run by people whose job is to

combine and use organizational resources to achieve organizational objectives.

The university library is the central point of all academic activities in the university. The main

objective of the university library is to assist the institution in which it is established to achieve

excellence in teaching, research and extension work. In support of this view, Abdulkadir (1996) and

Ifidon (1997) stressed that the central focus of any educational institution (including the university), is

its library because it is where students and staff resort for academic nourishment. Further more, Agu

(2006) stated that libraries vary from one university to another. He then explain that the characteristic

functions of university library are both academic and administrative, and geared towards the

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achievement of the educational objectives set by the institution. Azino (2006) also stress that the role

of the university library is to ensure that the parent universities intellectual out put is preserved and

accessible for use. He further stressed that the university library should support the university to

promote teaching, learning and research.

Notwithstanding, Edoka (2000) succinctly put that the objectives of these university libraries

are to:

• Provide information materials required for the academic programmes of the parent institution.

• Provide research information resources in consonance with the needs of faculty and research

students.

• Provide information resources for recreation and for personal self-development of users

• Provide study accommodation in a useful variety of locations.

• Provide protection and security for these materials.

• Co-operate with other libraries at appropriate levels for improved information services.

• Provide specialized information service to appropriate segments of the wide community

However, university libraries are created to serve their mother institution. They help those

institutions that created them to further or to achieve their aim. University libraries eventhough are

dependent institutions, are created to promote general and practical education in Nigeria communities

as a whole. In agreement with this, Ogunmilade (1996) said that university library is the core of the

academic activities, where all pertinent information and materials are collected, organized, preserved

for easy retrieval and purposeful exploitation in a continuous process of information dissemination.

Similarly, Babalola (1997) succinctly put that “the fundamental role of the library is educational which

should be operated as a dynamic instrument of education”. In view of this, Odetoyinbo (1982) also

perceived academic library as a building, a service point, a material, an instructional and self-

development centre which operates as an integral part of the entire school environment.” In his own

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contribution, Lyle (1961) affirmed that “the primary purpose of the university library is not only to

provide books, journals and other institutional materials in support of the academic programme of the

university library, but also to encourage the formation of a life-long habit of reading much and reading

well. Therefore, university libraries like any other libraries in education is an information centres,

which is no longer an open space but a world where teaching and learning laboratories and

recreational reading takes place.

In view of the above, there is the need to understand the inherent physical composition and

structure of an item along with the permanence and durability of its component materials in these

federal universities in South-East zone of Nigeria. There is also the need to understand the condition

under which these library materials are stored as well as way in which library materials are shelved

and used in these federal university libraries. Moreso, the need to determine the physical and chemical

composition, the environment in which they are stored and their history of use and abuse are necessary

in these federal academic university libraries in South-East zone in Nigeria.

These libraries provide and maintain means of information that are of interest to their parent

institution, provide the study of the objectives of their parent institutions, get involved in preparation

and publications of books, records reports or otherwise as may be desired by their parent bodies.

However, the libraries in a bid to meet the set objectives of the universities provide a wide range of

resources and services, which include monographs, textbooks, reference documents, audio-visual

resources and other equipment like computer and internet facilities, current awareness services,

abstracting and indexing services and a comfortable reading environment. The university libraries can

only achieve their objectives if adequate preservation and conservation practices of library materials

are made available for the procurement and processing of materials, hiring of personnel, purchase and

maintenance of equipment because preservation and conservation is the bedrock of every organization

including the university libraries.

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In view of the above, one of the main problem facing university libraries in south-east zone of

Nigeria as a whole is lack of funds. Robert (2003) explained funding as the process of raising money

or capital for any kind of expenditure. University libraries in developing countries such as Nigeria are

facing major funding problems due to non-growing or even decreasing appropriations from the

university administration and other funding agencies. As a result of this Carole Dyal (2008) explained

that subject specialists, bibliographers, and departmental/subject divisional librarians are directly

responsible for the intellectual composition of the collection that these staff members are in the best

position to know an items intrinsic value to the collection as a whole, and its expected use.

Unfortunately, she said that these professionals are often unaware of preservation and conservation

options that can protect materials and prolong their use despite that the preservation and conservation

treatment of the collection should be their direct concern since physical access is as critical to patron

satisfaction as bibliographic access. She went ahead to explain that the emphasis on preservation and

conservation practices does not extend beyond “rare” books, even though irreplaceable items and

materials of permanent research value are found on the open shelves of most libraries.

Moreso, the current situation in these university libraries is that they cannot order for new

materials because of lack of funds and the materials they have within are out-dated, detoriated, as a

result of over handling and lack of maintenance. However, these made universities materials in these

federal university libraries in South-East zone to be mainly by donation and strict purchase. Therefore,

there is need for us to preserve and conserve what we have by providing a cover or jacket to the

material immediately it arrived, by laminating some of these materials, by binding the materials, by

ensuring a regular dusting and clearing of the materials, by ensuring proper handling and maintenance

of library resources, by ensuring reformatting–photocopying, micro-films and digitization and so on

because the past is the foundation of the future.

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Preservation and Conservation of library materials are done to safeguard the library materials

from further decay and disfiguration. Sule and Ademu (2005) observed that preservation and

conservation practices of library materials leads to the security of man’s recorded knowledge. Through

the process of preservation and conservation, man has been able to keep intact the records of the past,

the present into safe places. These ensure the continued and effective exploitation of resources in any

given library. Moreso, preservation and conservation practices ensure the continued supply of

information for the research purposes and for posterity. When there is a good preservation and

conservation practices on library materials, efforts will not be a waste on replacement. Materials which

should have been expanded on replacement are channeled to the acquisition of new resources to enrich

the existing collection. The life span of the collections, books, journals, monographs, audio-visuals etc

are safeguarded through the instrument of preservation and conservation.

Statement of the Problem

The library materials which are unique in nature because of the information they contain

deserve to have the maximum preservation and conservation practice in order to retain the information

they contain for a very long period of time.

University libraries in developing countries such as Nigeria, there is a dearth of valuable

publication because most of these library materials are not properly protected in these libraries.

Despite that these libraries struggled and suffered to acquire these library resources which are not easy

to be replaced when they are lost are not properly preserved and conserved yet, the information

contained in these library resources can serve library users for decades of years.

Besides, these resources are the major sources of reference and consultation to all who are in

need of one information or the other yet, these resources lack proper preservation and conservation

polices in these libraries.

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It has been observed that in these university libraries, that these library resources are always

very dirt and dusty. Some of these library resources have lost their back cover and as a result of this,

they are just floating in the shelves as they can no longer be identified with their area of specialization.

The spine of some of these resources has been pulled out as a result of rough handling of these

resources. It has also been observed that some of these resources have no hard-cover, they are not

laminated and there is know provision for duplicate copies for these resource. Sometimes, the pages of

these resources will be incomplete as a result of constant and frequently used by the users and as a

result of this, the information contained in them will also be lost. In support of this Olumsola (1987)

and Onadiran (1988) reported that books in university libraries are preferred at an alarming rate.

However, in spite of many benefits derived from effective preservation and conservation in

federal university libraries, the tendency is that these libraries will face the risk of losing the

intellectual contents as well as cultural heritage and other sources of information available with these

libraries. This is because there is a little or no preservation and conservation policy in these federal

university libraries in South-East zone in Nigeria. As a result of this, the conditions of these library

materials in these university libraries in federal universities in South-East are nothing to write home

about. Presently, the current situation of library resources in federal university libraries as with regard

to preservation and conservation of library resources is not known and this is why this study is

important and needs to be investigated.

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Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of the study is to investigate the preservation and conservation of library

materials in federal universities in South-East zone of Nigeria. However, the specific objectives of the

study are:

1. To determine the preservation and conservation practices existing in federal universities in south-

east zone in Nigeria.

2. To ascertain the extent such practices are applied in these libraries.

3. To examine the prevailing factors necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation and

conservation in these universities.

4. To examine the library resources where these preservation and conservation practices are applied

in federal universities in South-East zone in Nigeria.

5. To Highlight on the problem associated with the preservation and conservation practices in the

libraries

6. To suggest ways of enhancing the preservation and conservation practices in federal universities

in south-east zone in Nigeria.

Significance of the Study

The findings of the study are of immense benefit to the following: Library administrators, the

staff in Binding section as well as other researchers.

The findings of the study is expected to be of interest to the university or college librarian by

ensuring that they understand the true state of the library materials as they will see that they share

duties properly to each sections of the library and see that they monitor and punish the defaulters

accordingly. The findings of this study are expected to be beneficial to the heads of different units in

the library as it will help to reveal to the state of preservation and conservation methods that will

enable them to improve on saving the library materials from destruction.

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Moreover, the information generated by the study will be of help to the binding section as they

will enable them to understand the need to bind library materials as soon as they arrive to the library

before sending them to their various shelves in order to give longevity to the materials. Moreso, the

information generated by the study will be of help to institutions and organizations as it will provide a

framework for the preservation and conservation programme in their libraries.

In addition, other researchers will benefit from the findings of this study as it will highlight

them to the strategies of preservation and conservation practices in the federal universities in South-

East zone in Nigeria.

Research Questions

The following research question were formulated to guide the study:

1. What are the library preservation and conservation practices existing in federal Universities in

South-East zone in Nigeria?

2. To what extent are these practice used in these libraries?

3. What are the preveling factors necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation and

conservation practices in these libraries?

4. To what extent do preservation and conservation practices applied to library materials in these

libraries?

5. What are the problems associated with the preservation and conservation practices in these

libraries?

6. What strategies could be used to enhance the preservation and conservation practices in these

libraries?

Scope of the Study

The research work covered the following federal universities in South-East Zone of Nigeria.

The universities includes; University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Akwa

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(NAU), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Federal University of Agriculture

Umudike-Umuahia (FUAU). The respondents include all the library staff members that are involved in

the project. The study is limited to the preservation and conservation of library resources in the

libraries of these institutes.

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CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In this chapter, literature relevant to the research topic has been organized and presented in the

following order:

Conceptual Framework

• An overview of the concept of preservation and conservation of library resources.

• Preservation and conservation practices in libraries.

• Need for libraries adoption of preservation and conservation practices

• Library resources to which preservation and conservation practices are applied to

• Human resources needed for preservation and conservation in libraries.

• Problems associated with preservation and conservation in libraries

• Strategies for the enhancement of preservation and conservation in libraries

Review of Related Empirical Studies

Summary of Literature Review

Conceptual Framework

An overview of the concepts of “Preservation and Conservation” have erroneously been used

inter changeably in some library literature. However, to preserve and to conserve may literarily be

seen as synonymous in meaning. Fadehan (2009) observed that the essence of information is to

preserve them for all future generations and also to see that the state of the materials at any period in

time is to engender and achieve the later end. He also argued that the problem of deterioration of

library materials apply to all categories of materials in the library.

The institute of Museum and library services (2009) stresses that preservation has been

described as any action that effectively extends the life or useful life of a living or non-living

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collection, the individual items or entities including in a collection or structure, building or site by

reducing the likelihood or speed of deterioration. It further explained that preservation actions include:

planning, conservation treatment, prevention action to improve environment or otherwise reduce the

risk of damage or loss. It also points out that it deals with formatting or re-formatting to provide access

without the physical use of original objects. Preservation according to Hornby (1976) implies the state

of being or remaining in a stated condition after a long time. However, Noah Webster dictionary

defined preservation as the act of preserving or keeping in safety from harm, injury, decay or

destruction. Similarly, the National conservation Advisory council in United State (1983) states that

preservation is an action taken to retard------- deterioration------by control of their structure. It also

explained that currently, preservation is a broader concept covering conservation as well was action

relating to protection, maintenance and restoration of library collections. Clarkson (1993) states that

preservation encompasses every fact of library life. He said that preservation is a preventive

medicine,… the concern of every one who walks into or works in a library. In the same view,

Grimwood-Jones (1993) points out that preservation apply to various strategies for preservation

applies to various strategies for preserving the intellectual content. Moreso, Harvey (1993) also states

that preservation includes all the managerial and financial considerations including storage and

accommodation provisions, staffing levels, policies, techniques and methods involved in preserving

library and archive materials and the information contained in them. From the definitions so far, it has

been observed that preservation practices is to library materials as what air is to human being. Without

preservation practice in the library, library materials will be useless and waste of information. In the

same view, Feather (1993) stressed that for most of us, preservation is about making our libraries

useful, preserving materials for as long as they are wanted. He therefore explained that preservation is

indeed a central issue in modern librarianship and one which will continue to be of concern to the end

of this century and beyond. Alegbeleye (1996) explained that damages attributed to environmental

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factor include those caused by insects, sunlight, mould and water. He further explained that the

damage caused to the library materials is associated with the physical environment in which the

materials are kept as well as the house keeping practices provided. He also argues the libraries are

prone to disaster like fire, flooding, vandalism, civil unrest, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, wars,

lightening, rodents and pests. Similarly, Feather and Strugues (eds.) (1997) defined preservation as the

maintenance of collections and individual objects as close as possible to the original condition through

appropriate housing, handling, repair and conservation treatment.

Furthermore, Eden (1997) states that preservation is the managerial, financial and technical

issues involved in preserving library or archive materials in all format and/or their information content

so as to maximize their useful life. Similarly, Adeniran (1998) says that preservation involves

stabilizing the environment under which the library materials are kept. He maintained that the basic

responsibility of the librarian or the institution is the preservation of the materials in their custody. The

then said that this implies that the materials should survive not only for years or centuries but for all

time. Beside these facts above, Nwogwugwu (2001) sees preservation as the specific individual and

collective measures taken for repair, restoration, protection and maintenance of documents. He also

explained that it is an act of anticipating and preventing damage to records or documents. Similarly,

Alegleleya (2002) defined preservation as the act of preserving, guarding or protecting, preservation

from loss, decay, injury or violation. In the same view, Alhassan (2002) defined preservation in terms

of restoration or treating them against attack or book-worms, termites, beetles, cockroaches etc. In

spite of this, Kenny et al (2002) strongly believe that digital technology has the potential to redefine

preservation reformatting but until the concern associated with maintaining long-term accessibility to

material stored in digital image form can be resolved, many libraries and archives loath to initiate

digital projects beyond the pilot phase.

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However, McCarry etal (2002) maintained that with the advent of high performance computing

and high speed networks, the use of digital technologies enable information to be created,

manipulated, disseminated, located and stored with increasing ease. They said that digital preservation

involves the retention of both the information object and its meaning. In the same view, Madu (2004)

also observed that libraries serve to preserve for those who follow us, our thoughts, intellectuals and

artistic creations and man’s historic records. However, Jantz and Garlo (2005) defined digital

preservation as the managed activities necessary for the long term maintenance of a unite of

information stored in a computer which is sufficient to produce a suitable facsimile of the original

document and for the continued accessibility of the document contents through time and changing

technology. They said that digital technology offers unprecedented opportunities for access and use

since it could facilitate the expansion of scholarship by providing timely, distributed access to a

variety of sources from variety of locations.

University of Las Vegas Libraries (2008) states that preservation is an indirect method of treatment in

which the environment around an item is changed. It further explained that this includes stabilizing,

maintaining and monitoring temperature, humidity, light exposure, air pollution, dirt and mold. It

maintained that preservation includes surveying the condition of the building and collections, the

construction of protective enclosures using acid-neutral or buffered materials, proper storage and

handling techniques, security, including theft, vandalism, eating of food, drinking, use of tobacco in

the libraries, insurance, disaster prevention, preparedness and recovery and education training and

outreach programs for staff, patrons, the university community and the public. From the

definitions, it is clear that several scholars have tried to define preservation, in some many ways. Some

look at it as technical problem requiring managerial solution. However, Battin (1993) is more concrete

in defining preservation as strategies and actions necessary to proved access to the accumulated human

record as far into the future as possible. Notwithstanding, Ala Glossary of library and information

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science see it as, characterized with maintaining library and archival form or in some other useable

way. Ellen Mccrady has also observed that preservation can be anything from full conservation to

simply not throwing an item away and it also mean microfilming an item and then throwing it out.

Meanwhile, Kovacs (1987) explained that Ritzenthaler in the National conservation advisory council

defined preservation as an action taken to retard or prevent deterioration or damage in cultural

properties by control of their environment and/or treatment of their structure in order to maintain them

as nearly as possible in an unchanging state. Aside from this view, Hornby (1976) stressed that

preservation implies the state of begin or remaining in a state of condition after a long time. Similarly,

Feather and Sturges, (1997) define preservation as the maintenance of collections and individual

objects as close as possible to the original condition through appropriate housing, handling repair and

conservation treatment. In spite of this, Madu (2010) explained that preservation connotes far more

than keeping a material in its original form or being familiar with all reformatting technologies

available. He said that it means accessibility: when a user needs it, he gets it. Hence, he further

explained that the whole process of security, shelving, shelf-reading and circulation are actually

preservation techniques. He maintained to explain that preservation from abuses like mutilation,

defacing and/or stealing of materials are preservation tenets. He said that all these things are done to

ensure longevity of the lifespan of library materials.

Similarly, Nwogwugwu (2001) expressed that preservation refers to the specific individual and

collection measures taken for repair, restoration, protection and maintenance of documents. He also

said that it is an act of anticipating and preventing damage to records or documents. Therefore, he

explained that the concept of preservation is not only with protecting the document in particular

against possible dangers, but also that of permanently keeping them in conditions that could ensure

their preservation in the most favourable atmosphere and away from anything likely to cause slow but

continuous deterioration. Conservation on the other hand, may literarily be seen as synonymous in

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meaning with such terms as preservation, and restoration. As a result of this, the National

Conservation Advisory Council in United State (1993) explained that conservation is all-

encompassing term that includes preservation and restoration as specific areas.

The World Book Encyclopedia vol.4 defined conservation as the management, protection, and

wise use of natural resources. It went ahead to explain that conservation is important for two basic

reasons.

1. To meet demands for natural resources and

2. To maintain the quality of life.

However, the New Book of knowledge vol. 3 agreed with the world book Encyclopedia by

explaining that Conservation is the sustainable use of natural resources. “Sustainable use” means

managing and using a resources carefully so that it may last for future generation.

On the other hand, the world book dictionary vol. 1 defines conservation as the action of

conserving. Preserving, protecting from loss or from being used up avoidance of waste. In agreement

with this, the 21st Century Webster’s international Encyclopedia explain that conservation is

management and protection of the earth’s natural resources to assure adequate supplies for future

generations. It explains that conservation aims to provide an environment free from pollution of air,

water, land, and to protect the welfare of plants, animals and humans. As such, conservation is a

means of protecting what one have at hand to see that it doesn’t get lost or damaged and to last for a

very period of time. However, Encyclopedia Americana international; vol. 7 defined conservation as

the concerns and strategies surrounding the protection of natural resources from over use or

degradation.

In the same view, moreso, Kovacs (1987) stresses that Ritzenthaler in the National

Conservation Advisory Council defined conservation as an action taken to return a deteriorated or

damaged artifact as nearly as is feasible to its original form, design, color, and function with minimal

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further sacrifice of aesthetic and historic integrity. In spite of this Clarkson (1993) stressed that

conservation is the specialized process of making safe, or to a certain degree usable, fragile period

objects and restoration expresses rather extensive rebuilding and replacement by modern materials

within a period of object, catering for a future of more robust use. Aside from this, Grimwood-Jones

(1993) is of the opinion that conservation is primarily conserved with ensuring that the original artifact

is maintained and secure. Similarly, Harvey (1993) explained that conservation denotes, those specific

policies and practices involve in protecting library and achieved materials from detoration, damage

and decay, including the methods and techniques devised by technical staff. UNESCO defined

conservation as those actions involving minimal technical intervention required to prevent further,

deterioration to original materials. From these definitions so far, it is clear that conservation actions are

necessary because it is recognized that the original medium, format and content are important for

research or other purposes such as to retain aesthetic, materials, cultural and historical qualities.

However, Madu (2010) explained that conservation is an activity subsumed therefore under

preservation. He further explained that it implies the active use of preservative measures or processes

of repair of damage materials to ensure restoration and the continued existence of individuals items.

He said that the decision to repair a particular item or to intervene in the deterioration of a material is

essentially managerial or professional. However, he explained that the decision on the process and the

materials to be used in intervening may be technical but, even that has to be taken within the broad

parameters of managerially determined policy. Similarly, Hornby (1976) stresses that conservation

refers to the controlled use of a limited supply of materials to prevent waste or loss so as to facilitate

its use in the future.

Beside these facts above, the new International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary (1996)

said that conservation is defined, guard, keep, maintain, sustain and among others are synonyms far

preservation. In spite of this, wikipedia (2009) defines conservation to the treatment and repair of

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individual items to show decay or restore them to useable state. It further explain that conservation

includes proper diagnosis of the decayed materials, timely curative treatment and appropriate

prevention from further decay. Vinas and Vinas (1988) defined conservation as the operations which

are intended to prolong the life of an object by forestalling damage or remedying deterioration. He

further explained that in essences, it refers to specific practices taken to show deterioration and

prolong the life of an object by directly intervening in its physical or chemical make-up. He said that

an example of this is the process of determining the causes and extent of damage of a document.

Furthermore, the American institute for conservation (1997) defined conservation as a more

specific term referring to the physical treatment of individual items usually after some damage has

occurred. Similar to this, the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) (1986) in a

conference held at the National Library at Austria Vienna, defined conservation to denote those

specific polices and practices involved in protecting library and practices involved in protecting library

and archival resources fro deterioration, damage and decay, including the methods and techniques

devised by technical staff. He further explained that conservation focuses more on precise techniques

perfected by the technical staff in the struggle against the degradation of collections. Harrod’s librarian

Ghossary (1987) sees conservation to mean simple processes of book repair, lamenting of covers,

strengthening of spines or pressure on publishers to produce books that are physically more durable

complex method of paper preservation and rebuilding for the longer term. Moreso, the University of

Nevadn has Nega (UNLV) policy statement (1999) defines conservation as direct methods of

treatment in which an item is physically or chemically changed. This includes cleaning, deacidifying,

repairing, rebinding, and reformatting. It further explained that all conservation treatment entail the

least intrusive methods possible and use acid neutral or buffered materials. Nwalo (2003) also sees

conservation as the careful handling of resources, dusting of resources and shelves, treatment of

resources and the identification and gathering of resources needing restoration or fortification.

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Although Clarkson (1987) defined conservation as the specialized process of making fragile objects

safe or to a certain extent strategies employed for safeguarding the intellectual contents of information

from deterioration or decay. Govan (1986) in stressed that the part of the difficulty in discussing

conservation is that librarians have not been precise in their use of terms which is responsible for

making their discussion confusing in definitions. He further explained that binding and mending

adding duplicate copies or reprints, microfilming or photocopying on acid free paper and anyone of

the variety new technological solutions all as filling within the definition of conservation.

Olatokun (2008) therefore explained that for decades, librarians have tended to mix up

conservation and preservation and all efforts have concentrated on the curative treatment of single

documents. Conservation and restoration are the most central activities of preservation; they are

concerned with the physical maintenance and repair of documentary materials. He further explained

that conservation and planning for the practical application of the techniques of binding, restoration,

paper chemistry, and other technological materials as well as other knowledge pertinent to the

preservation of archival resources. He explained that conservation can be characterized as both

preventive and remedial preventive conservation consists of indirect action to retard deterioration and

prevent damage by creating conditions optional for the preservation of materials.

Similarly, Alhassan (2002) expressed that conservation is a phase where materials are properly

processed and stored for easy retrieval any time the need arises. Sources in Nigeria libraries and

information centres are either in the state brittleness or disrepair. In spite of all these, the deterioration

of library materials forms the basic problem of libraries and gives rise to preservation and conservation

needs. Madu (2010) explained that in libraries, the course of preserving materials, that there is need to

adequately consider the value of records in terms of its educational socio-political and economic

impact on society, and decide the period during which each class of documents night be kept for use

and then destroyed or permanently preserved for future use. He further explained that while assessing

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library materials, that it is mandatory to consider their durability in relation to their usage. He also said

that to retain the information contained in all media of communication for effective use by future

generations, that there is the need to either preserve, conserve or affect both activities on them.

Therefore, Madu (2010) give three main factors that are important in the process of taking decisions

regarding preservation and conservation which are:

• The building to identify potential hazard arising from security, fire, flood and other natural

disasters.

• The interior building including reading and storage areas, to assess the environmental conditions

and the physical state of shelving units taking measurements of lighting levels, temperature and

humidity, and assessing levels of dust and atmospheric pollution and

• The collection to identify the scale of damage to paper including assessment of paper

embitterment, damage due to mould or insect and damage to binding etc.

He explained that the programme should promote awareness of the problems, take steps to

introduced of simple but cheap preventive measures to improve operating conditions and initiate steps

to develop a conservation programme. Similarly, Jordan (2003) stressed that conservation activities

can be divided into four major areas. According to him, he explained that stabilization treatments

attempt to arrest the inherent process of decay. Clearing is an attempt to remove damaging agents.

Repair is intended to correct appearance and or function. Restoration aims at returning original

characteristic and functionality using appropriate and sympathetic materials but without concealing the

restoration itself. She then explained that each of these categories uses a wide range of techniques to

accomplish its objective.

In spite of all these Nwogwugwu (2001) expressed that it is important to point out that the term

conservation is however believed to be wider in scope, highly technical and is concerned with such

complicated issues as.

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• The chemistry of materials

• The monitoring of environmental system and

• The design of the document structure.

Preservation and Conservation Practices In Libraries

The concept of preservation and conservation is firmly rooted in the idea that mankind learns

form the past and that evidence of the past therefore has considerable significance to the human race

and is worth saving. Therefore, it means that all libraries are, or should be involved in preservation and

conservation practices. Such as using photocopying machine, digitization facilities lamination

equipment, bindery, fumigation, cleaning and dusting of the library materials, reformation and others.

Besides some of the important preservation and conservation practices in university libraries

for books and related materials include: binding or books/journals (serials), news papers, repairs to

bindings and simple repairs to turn or damaged pages. Some of the reformatting techniques include:

microfilming of newspaper, brittle or fragile paper based materials, copying photographs, copying

audiotapes and video materials and electronic digitizing. Preservation and conservation facilities and

equipment include: conservation laboratory, paper lamination equipment, bindery, fumigation

chamber, microfilming and digitization facility. Preventive preservation techniques or procedures

include: floor cleaning, shelf clearing, collection condition surveys, pest inspections, environmental

monitoring and a plan for disaster preparedness and response plan. However, Harvey (1993) explained

that many writers have expressed the idea that we have a duty to preserve and conserve what went

before us similarly, Agresto (1986) when he headed the National Endowment for the Humanities

stressed that “we have a human obligation not to forget. He went further to explain that it is essential

to scholars and educators, who must rely on the availability of primary source materials as the basis

for good teaching. He then expressed that preserving the past is useful and practical to us, the living.

xxxiii

Libraries then have a major responsibility to preserve and conserve the information contained

therein. Harvey (1993) expressed that if libraries as custodians of these records both printed and in

other forms--- fail in their preservation and conservation duties, then that it is not tow fanciful to

suggest that what is at stake is nothing less than the perpetuation of society as we are accustomed to

conceive or idealize it.

However, Eden (1997) is of the opinion that the basic aim of a preservation and conservation

policy is to ensure access to information content, either by preserving the original or creating a

surrogate copy; one of the best ways to exploit stock is to ensure that it remains in a usable condition

for as long as possible. He further explained that this can only happen if preservation is seen as having

a role to play throughout the library, and is accordingly supported at the highest level. He explained

further that the stone of any preservation and conservation policy is selection. He explained and

conservation policy is selection. He than explained also that librarians and archivists approach this

most basic activity in different item becomes part of an archival collection, a decision has been made

to preserve and conserve it. Though, he explained that not every item accepted by the archive will be

preserved and conserved.

Similarly, Eden (1993) has the same opinion with Alhassan (2002) financial pressure leading

to a general lack of resources, is one of the basic problem faced by both librarians and archivist in

trying to meet their preservation and conservation needs. An inevitable consequence of the above, is

that choices have to be made and priorities established. Jordan (2003) explained that the size and scope

of a preservation programme vary from institution to institution depending on an institutions needs and

resources. In spite of this, Alhassan (2002) stressed that preservation in Nigeria library is of primary

importance, that book votes are drastically reduced by authorities and is even openly discussed in

certain quarters that whenever vote reduction are to be made, that the library will not be able to acquire

new materials, journals that carry latest funding by researchers are particularly worse hit. He further

xxxiv

explained that the next logical thing to do by the librarian is to preserve and conserve what he/she has.

He then went ahead to explain that the financial situation in the country is another good reason for

preservation and conservation. He explained that over 90% of books and 100% non book materials

required by patrons are imported and these involves foreign exchange and these involves foreign

exchange and the Naira is so week to most international currencies. He said that librarian has to

preserve and conserve what he has in preference to anticipatory long waiting of money to purchase

materials from abroad. Therefore, he explained that there is need for materials to last as much as

possible and the only way is to preserve and conserve them for active use by the next generation.

However, conservation is preservation at the item level which embraces those activities that

improve the condition of the physical object or protect it from damage. Kemoni (1996) stressed that

conservation activities may be grouped into three major areas. He then explained that the first one is

examination which involves the process of determining the causes and extent of damage to a

document. The second area is preservation which also involves stabilizing the environment under

which archival materials are kept. Lastly, the restoration which refers to the repair done on a

documentation order to prolong its life span and restore it to its original status. Aside from this, as long

as document have ravages of time and the need has arisen to repair them. As a matter of fact, Popoola

(2003) stated that until 1980s, conservation of library resources was though to be relevant to race book

resources by librarians and curators of collection of special resources, library resources has broken

down through the aging process, and to replace them were difficult and expensive if not practically

impossible. He also stated that the modern libraries and information centres are faced with the problem

of deterioration of resources in their holdings. He maintained that the resources have deteriorated to

the extent of losing their intellectual contents. Therefore, Popoola noted that thousands of volumes of

library res.

Factors Necessitating Libraries Adoption of Preservation and Conservation Practice

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There is no library material that is not infinite because of their very nature which are

susceptible to deterioration and as a result, preserving and conserving them became very-important.

Therefore, it is instructive to understand the factors that necessitates libraries adoption of preservation

and conservation practice. However, the need for preservation and conservation of library materials

are determined by their physical and chemical composition, the environment in which they are stored,

and their history of use and abuse. Some of these factors that necessitate the need for library adoption

of preservation and conservation practice are the inherent physical composition and structure of an

item, along with the permanence and durability of its component materials in support of this, Dyal

(2008) explain that if a book printed on poor quality paper is rarely used, the paper may deteriorate

faster than the binding and repair may never be necessary. On the other hand, that if a publisher’s

binding for a new book is inadequate, repair may be needed after just one circulation.

Notwithstanding, the condition under which library materials are stored also affect the need for

preservation and conservation treatment. Dyal (2008) also explain that overly warm storage conditions

hasten chemical reactions and promote the aging or deterioration of all types organic materials,

including papers, bookcloth, and leather. She further explain that Humid conditions stimulate the

growth of mold and hasten acid deterioration, while very low humidity leads to desiccation and

embitterment. That ultraviolet rays in sunlight and fluorescent light weaken and degrade cellulosic

materials, such as paper and cloth, and cause leather bindings to dry and crack. She also explain that

the exposure of library materials to dirt and dust causes abrasion and soiling. That Air pollutants, such

as sulfur dioxide and ozone, found in libraries in urban/industrial areas promote deterioration.

However, the way in which library materials are shelved and used also has a significant impact

on the need for physical treatment or repair. This means that jumbled or untidy shelves, rough

handling by staff and patrons, and the use of book “drops” all damage bindings and needlessly waste

resources. On the other hands, proper storage and handling significantly reduce the need for

xxxvi

preservation and conservation treatment. Moreso, if library materials are made sturdily, stored under

optimum conditions, shelved properly, and handled carefully, a certain amount of tear and wear is

inevitable with use. However, by the application of sound preservation and conservation treatments,

libraries can maintain materials so that they will be available for use as long as they are needed. Aside

from this, the physical preservation and conservation of library materials has implications for every

facet of library work. This implies that the physical condition of an item affects its availability, and an

item that is allowed to deteriorate can be completely lost to users. In these federal academic library in

South-East, Nigeria, preservation and conservation activities such as binding preparation, repair,

mending, reshelving, shelf preparation, identification of damaged items. Unfortunately, in a library

without an active conservation program, these activities can work against preservation of the

collections. However, Dyal (2008), explain that many libraries encourage the premature

deterioration of their collections by simply being unaware of proper preservation and conservation

practices. If care is not taken, this is applicable to all the federal academic university in South-East

zone of Nigeria.

Aside from this, Harvey (1993) also explained that hand in hand with the deterioration caused

by increased use has been caused by the introduction of new technologies into libraries such as

photocopies. Harvey explained that there is also know library that function now without photocopiers

and not least as a tool for preservation not knowing the act of photocopying is inherently at least

somewhat stressful to books and paper, and potentially disastrous. He then noted that the act of

photocopying in most cases imposes on the item being copied high levels of mechanical stress for

(example opening out the binding) and light which speed up the rate of deterioration. Aside from this,

Harvey expressed that other factors which have been responsible for deterioration are categorized

loosely as environmental which he explained that the major contribution here is air pollution. He also

explained that modern industrialized cities typically have a high level of air pollution, whose major

xxxvii

threat is to the paper in library collections. He further explained that just and dirt particles may also

cause mechanical damage, through abrasion of the paper with which they come into contact. He

mentioned that disasters are another significant cause of damage to library collections, and chief

among them are floods, fire and earthquakes.

Moreso, Singh (2008) explained that light produces photochemical reaction which results in

discoloration and effect of sunlight coved be noticed if newspaper is exposed to sunlight for couple of

days. He also explain that excessive heat produces dehydration, which results in loss of flexibility and

consequent disintegration of fibres. He also said that excessive humidity hydrolyses fibres and coupled

with stagnant air generates fungus and insects like cockroaches, bookworms, boo dice and silver fish

that eat away the documents. He further explained that dust particles act as abrasives, cutting down the

fibres and reducing the strength of paper. Apart from this, it also acts as a medium for absorption of

acidic gases present in the atmosphere which becomes the nucleus for the growth of fungus. Singh

went ahead to explain that Toxic and noxious gases containing sulphur dioxide emanating from

automobiles and industrial chimneys contribute to atmospheric pollution, resulting in development of

acidity in paper which gradually leads to discoloration of paper into yellow and dark yellow. He made

it clear that acidity which are transmigratory in behaviour spreads in the paper that are kept in close

contact and this embitters the fibres of the paper.

Besides these facts mentioned above, Eden (1997) stresses that the high, and continually

increasing, level of use of collections was frequently cited as a major problem by librarians and

archivists alike. He explained that library and archival materials are damaged by handling, and the

more they are handled the more they are handled, the more they become damaged. Similarly,

Ogunmilade (1996) explained that in recent years, that many users of the college library resources as

well as certain environmental and weather conditions and biological agents have damaged many books

and other resources. He went ahead to explain that the attention of many library staff has been drawn

xxxviii

to books and other library materials damaged by indecent users, various insects and certain reptiles,

humidity and mould just and dryness, sunlight and splashing of rainfall. Notwithstanding, Kemoni

(1996) gave the view that even though Kenya is seen as a success story in the conservation of archive

materials, that there is still a lot to be done. According to him, he said that a review of the conservation

programs revealed that the department does not have a disaster control plan, and he then explained that

the absence of such a plan implies that in the event of a disaster occurring, it would not be in a position

to respond to the disaster with the urgency that is required.

On the other hand, Williams (1971) lamented that libraries today are hospital for sick books in

which with very few expectations, not nearly enough is being done to treat the patients---books are not

lasting as they can and should. Similarly, Ifidon (2006) explained that initially, the university library

system is the best funded. That in the 1950s and 1960s’ that the United Nations Educational Scientific

and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proposed 50% the approved recurrent budget for library

development and in 1993, this percentage was raised to 10% in Nigeria. He then explained that the

euphoria amongst university librarians was short-lived because by 2001, the Nigerian National

Universities commission tacitly withdrew the approval and right now, there is no known financial

standard for library development. He equally explained that low book publishing output in developing

countries as well as imported books raise problems in university libraries. As a result of this, we can

see that the librarians has know option than to preserve and conserve the documents within his/her

reach.

However, Kovacs (1987) explained that the concern about the future of library collections and

fiscal support promoted library managers to review their purchasing practices and collection managers

to review their purchasing practices and collection management procedures. She further explained that

the lack of funding combined with “information explosion” continues during the eighties. Therefore,

xxxix

she said that he deterioration of existing collections is a matter of great concern, since much of the

materials is collections is potentially irreplaceable due to lack of funds or lack of availability.

Library Resources to which Preservation and Conservation Practices are Applied to

Library resources are of various forms, shapes, sizes and formats. They various and are

distinctive as the institution it serves. The most common library resources found in almost all libraries

include:

Books: A book is a publication in printed form with a distinctive title. It usually appears as a

monograph, but it can also be multi-voluminous. Ifidon (2006) explained that books form one of the

major items in any library holdings. He said that there are at least 10 types of books which have a

multiplicity of variants. The basic ones illustrated by Ifidon are:

Reference Books: This is probably the most fundamental to all libraries. They are meant for

consultation only within the library and they are not to be read from page to page. Ifidon, further

explained that while Seldom treating any subject in exhaustive detail, that reliable reference works are

usually an excellent beginning point for information, study or research on practically an topic. Each

type of reference book may also have several variants the first type of reference work is encyclopedia

which of four different types.

There are general encyclopedias such as:

� Encyclopedia American Danbury, CT Grollier, 30 vols.

� The New Encyclopedia Britannica Chicago Encyclopedia Britannica, 32 vols.

However, these are regarded as the best general adult multivolume encyclopedias. Ifidon

(2006) also explained that for children, that the following are unrivalled:

� Children’s Britannica: Chicago Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 vols

� Compton’s encyclopedia and fact index Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 vols

� Merit students’ encyclopedia New York Macmillan educational corporation 20 vols.

xl

� The New book of knowledge Danbury CT. Grolier, 21 vols.

� World book encyclopedia Chicago: World book, 22 vols.

The new trend is now towards subject encyclopedias. He explained that these are particularly

handy when questions are so specific and specialized that they cannot be answered by the general

encyclopedias or when the user wants a more detailed overview of his subjects than a general

encyclopedia can provided a few examples of these are:

� Encyclopedia of Architecture, design, engineering and construction. New York. John Wiley,

vols. 5.

� Encyclopedia of library and information science. New York Marcel Dekker, 1975 to date. 36

vols with supplements.

� The encyclopedia of religion. New York: Macmillan, 16 vols.

� McGraw- Hill encyclopedia of science and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hill 20 vols.

Besides, the next set of reference books comprises dictionaries. A general dictionary is a work

which gives the meaning and usage of words. Entries are arranged in an alphabetical sequence. Like

encyclopedias, there a general, children’s and specialized dictionaries. Examples of general

dictionaries are:

� The Oxford American English dictionary New York: Oxford University press.

� The Oxford English Dictionary. New York: Oxford University press. 20 vols.

Examples of children’s dictionaries can be illustrated by the following:

� Macmillan Dictionary for Children. New York: Macmillan, 784 pp.

� Webster’s Elementary Dictionary: Springfield, M.A. Merriam-Webster, 600pp.

� The world book dictionary. Chicago world book, 2 vols.

Some example of the specialized dictionaries are:

� Dictionary of Biochemistry. New York: Wiley

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� A Dictionary of Economics: New York Barness and Noble

� Dictionary of Science and Technology Amsterdam Elesevier

� Dictionary of World History. New York Tow Continents.

Not only this, there is a specialized type of dictionary which deserves attention and it is the

biographical dictionary. An example of this work is Dictionary of National Biography.

Moreso, Bibliography is another library resource to which preservation and conservation

practices are applied to. However, Ifidon, (2006) defined a bibliography as a critical and historical

study of printed books. Examples of bibliographies include. Systematic enumerative bibliography

which includes.

� Bibliography of publications issued by UNESCO or under its auspices; the first twenty-five-

years. Paris UNESCO.

� Bibliography of reports arising out of meetings held by international organizations Brussels:

Union of International Associations.

However, there are also national bibliographies these are limited to works published within or about a

country. Examples include.

� A Bibliography of Ghana, Evanstion, 111. Northwestern University press.

� British National Bibliography, London: council of the British National Bibliography

� Nigerian Publications, Lagos, Nigeria: The National Library.

Another type of bibliography is a bibliography that is issued for or by booksellers and

publishers of a particular country. Among these are:

� Books in-print, new York: R.R. Bowker 10 vols.

� Cumulative book index, New York: H.W. Wilson, 98 vols.

� Whitaker’s cumulative book list, London: Whitaker, 5 vols.

xlii

There are also subject bibliographies available for researchers and other library users in special areas

such as:

� Blazek, Ron and Aversa, Elizabeth-the Humanities, a selective guide to information sources,

Englewood, Colorado: libraries unlimited, 382 pp.

� Music reference and research materials. New York: Schirmer, 714pp.

� Science and technology annual reference review. Phoenix, Arizona Oryx

However, there is analytical bibliography which is concerned with the physical description of a book

while textual bibliography deals with the author’s works. An example of analytical bibliography is

Analytical bibliography of writings on modern English morphology and syntax Louvain. Nauwelaerts.

� Almanacs

� Directories

� Handbooks yearbooks

� General facts books

Notwithstanding, textbooks are also among the library resources to which preservation and

conservation practices are applied to. Ifidon (2006) explained that a textbook is a classic publication

used in the study of a subject. It usually contains a systematic presentation of the principles and

vocabulary of the affected subject. He went ahead to explain that textbooks may be written by one or

more authors; that it can also be a collection of writings by various authors dealing with a specific

subject. That it takes about four years to write and test a good textbook not only thus, that this is why

some of the information-especially the statistical data-is out-of-date by the time it is published. In spite

of these seeming negative features, it is estimated that textbooks account for about one third of the

worlds’ total publishing output. Sometimes, the term technical books is used to refer to handbooks is

used to refer to handbooks and monographs in particular subjects areas such as accountancy, law,

xliii

medicine, natural sciences, social sciences and technology. However, there can also be textbooks in

any of the areas of specialization.

Besides, light reading materials or Fiction are not left out of these class of books. Ifidon

(2006), explained that although that they are a class of books, nevertheless they occupy such a unique

position in libraries holding that this separate section is being set aside for their treatment. This is

because this type of materials helps the library to meet with one of its objectives, namely, assisting the

library user in his own personal self development as man is not adjudged educated merely by the string

of academic certificates he has acquired. Rather an educated man is one who has trained his mind,

broadened his horizons, has some insight into the experiences of other follow human beings and is

equipped to solve personal life’s problems Ifidon (2006).

One must not forget to mention children’s books in this section illustrations are the overriding

element in children’s books. Hence more attention is paid to the design element and to the choice of an

illustrator.

Aperindicals are another library resources to which preservation and conservation practices are

applied to periodicals are defined as publication that appear with distinctive titles and in successive

numbers or parts at regular or irregular intervals. They fall into a number of different categories which

depend partly on the purpose of the publication and partly on the type of publisher. Ifidon (2006),

explained that from the academic scientific point of view, the most significant are learned journals. He

explained that they are produced by learned that from the academic and scientific point of view, the

most significant are learned journals. He explained that they are produced by learned and professional

societies and are intended to report new insights into the fundamental principles underlying every

discipline. Consequently, they are more up-to-date them books and carry the results of in depth

investigations.

xliv

Moreso, other library resources to which preservation and conservation practices are applied to

are these and dissertations. These two words means the something in terms of what they are but the

only different between them is that while these means works or write-up for those are ------ to get their

doctorate degrees, dissertations are meant for the masters degree. However, Ifidon (2006), uses theses

to mean works based on systematic investigation with a view to earning academic degrees such as

Doctoral and masters degrees. He, therefore explained that these are a category of research materials

which every research collection must have. They have always in high demand among postgraduate

students who are working in one narrow field or the other and faculty members. It is mandatory for the

school of postgraduate studies to send copies of these emanating from the higher degrees awarded by

the parent institution to the library of that institution.

Special materials such as archival collections, manuscripts and regional collections are

regarded as special collections. These are also among the library resources to which preservation and

conservation practices are applied to.

Notwithstanding, documents are not left out among the library resources. Documents refers to

government and United Nations publications. They can be issued by the Federal and state

governmental executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Most of the information is

printed farm; but it can also appear in a wide variety of formats.

Another type of library resources is microform. Microform is a generic term referring to any

information storage or communication medium that is made up of images too small to be read by the

naked eye. There are mainly three types of microforms. Ifidon (2006), explained that oldest and best

known is reel microfilm or roll microfilm which is 16mm or 355mm wide. The 16mm type is used

mainly on offices, banks, and other commercial application which the 35 type is standard in libraries

because of its ability to display whole pages of news paper at a satisfactory reduction ratio. He, also

explained that the second type is micro-opaque which uses paper instead of film support. This type is

xlv

also of three types micorocards, microlex and microprint. However, the first two are no longer

produced while microprint utilizes 6” x 9” card with ten rows and ten colums. He then explained that

the third type of microform is microficahe. The standard size is 105mm x 148mm. one fiche can hold

approximately 210 sheets of paper or 105 pages. Besides, another version of the microfiche is

ultrafiche or ultrastrip. This form uses much greater reduction ratios that is a high as 210x on one

fiche.

More so, another form of library resources to which preservation and conservation practices

are applied to are the Vertical files. Ifidon (2006), explained that it is a collection that is meant to

augment other library collection by providing quick and easy access to pamphlets, clippings, fliers and

other ephemeral materials. He explained that his collection is maintained by reference unit and

department libraries and it provides information about topics of current interest. Such information is

usually not available elsewhere.

Machine-readable materials are as well among the library resources to which preservation and

conservation practices are applied to. Ifidon (2006), explained that machine-readable materials are

collections of information held in some farms of computerized or electronic format. He explained that

they include computerized databases held on mainframe, minicomputer or microcomputer. That they

also refer to databases published an floppy discs and distributed in this way to customers. He further

explained that a database is a collection of information stored on a remote computer which is accessed

using a telecommunications link.

Therefore, an attempt has been made to identify at least ten basic types of library materials to

which preservation and conservation practices are applied to. These are books, periodicals, these,

special materials, documents, microforms, audio materials, visual items, vertical files and machine-

readable materials. It has also been observed that each of these has several sub-sets. For example,

seven types of reference materials which are almanacs, bibliographic, handbooks and yearbooks were

xlvi

considered. However, each of these in term has its own sub-sets. This is applicable to almost other

library resources.

Human Resources Needed for Preservation and Conservation in Libraries.

The resources of the library should be cared for and preserved and conserved in order to

maintain in usable condition, each item in the collection and also to enable contained supply of

information essential for documenting the history of the nation and aiding research in order to ensure

continued and effective exploitation of library resources. However, Arua (1997) explained that certain

human resources should be required by librarians in order to place much emphasis on preservation and

conservation of the library resources by:

� Setting aside a percentage of the budget for preservation and conservation.

� Handling the materials with care by both the staff and the users such as not forcing the book to

open as that will cause damage to the cover and crack the glue which holds the sections together.

Provision of good storage facilities and smooth shelves to avoid damage and to enable proper

shelving.

� Arranging the resources properly on the shelves for easy access and to avoid mal-handling

� Clearing and dusting the shelves and materials with duster frequently and spraying chemicals an

them to prevent attack from microbes

� Supervising the stacks, inspecting the cleanliness and arrangement every morning and pulling

out worn out or deteriorating materials for treatment with insecticides and by binding.

� Desisting from mutilating, tearing, making marks on the books and stealing the materials by both

user and staff.

xlvii

� Training librarian on preservation and conservation work so as to have knowledge of

preservation and conservation, preserve and teach staff how to preserve and conserve.

� Strengthening new boos by binding them to make them last long and withstand tear and wear.

� Provision of air conditioners which regulate temperature to help eliminate problems of heat,

caused by temperature and humidity.

Notwithstanding, Ifidon (2006) stated that it is not enough to keep acquiring materials without

occasionally stopping to ask questions and assess the relevance of materials to the library’s purpose.

He explained that several different technique have been devised for assessing library collection in

which sometimes, each of them is used independently; at other times, or used in conjunction with one

or more other techniques. On the other hand, Ratctciffe (1991) states that not all libraries are yet aware

that there is a crises, that the heritage of the printed word is at risks. He went ahead to explain that one

of the most disturbing aspect of preservation and conservation today is that of persuading some

scholars and library users to accept that there is crises. In other words, many of them do not realize the

essence of preservation and conservation. In agreement with this, Ngulube (2001) state that for any

preservation and conservation programme to succeed in libraries, there must be adequate and well

trained manpower. He explained that this is because preservation and conservation of information

sources is a specialized field of knowledge that requires information professionals who understand the

physical and chemical nature of the materials in their libraries. On the other hand Popoola (2003)

explain the need to expose librarians to preservation and conservation practices during their training,

and that such training programmes should include operating environmental control, storage and

housing operating environmental systems, designing new building or renovation of building. Lack of

functional laboratory where library science student could undergo practical works has resulted

inadequate training for students in the area of preservation and conservation of information sources.

Popoola further stated that Africa has not been able to train students adequately in the areas of

xlviii

preservation and conservation of information resources due to lack of functional laboratories where

students could undergo practical works.

Problems Associated With Preservation and Conservation in Libraries

The problem of preservation and conservation of library resources according to Alegbeleye

(2006), is a global problem that is not peculiar to Nigeria. In agreement with this, Harvey (1993) states

that the problem of preservation and conservation is immense as a result of many factors. It is however

more acute in Nigeria due to a number of factors. One of the problems associated with preservation

and conservation is libraries is low level of awareness as to the importance of preservation and

conservation in prolonging the live span of information resources even among information

professionals in Nigeria. As observed by Alegbeley (2006), maintenance is culture that is alien to

Nigeria. This is a sad commentary on our attitude towards the preservation and conservation of

resources. Even where the awareness exists, preservation and conservation is a programme that is

rarely given top priority. However, there is poor or lack of awareness among the staff and the patrons.

With this, Akussanh (1991) states that in Ghana, only few librarians are conversant with the

preservation and conservation management processes. He explain that awareness creation has to do

with everything about preservation the way, how and the problems.

Aside from this, Popoola (2003) identified administrative problems as one of the problems

associated with preservation and conservation practices in libraries. According to him, he states that

lack of cooperative preservation and conservation venture and public enlighten campaign. He explain

that the problem of inappropriate buildings, poor power supply and water supply pose great threat to

preservation and conservation of information resources in African countries. Popoola (2003) further

explain that a great number of buildings that are acquired to house library and archival materials could

not provide adequate protection for loss, decay, and destruction as a consequence of excessive

temperature, humidity, light, insects, fire, flood and theft. Wamukoya (2000) states that they identified

xlix

the lack of information technology skill (IT) due to inadequate training as one of the impediments to

the management of electronic records at Moi University, Kenya.

However, Smith (1987), explain that the library users and staff do not have a genuine concern

for the physical survival of traditional library materials, so they handle them without care. Wilson

(1981) also agreed with smith as he observe that the library professionals have ceased to have respect

for books as a physical object. He further explained that it appears very incredible that even the

librarians and the users will give themselves to a position of prescribing destruction for the books they

are commissioned to preserve. Harvey (1993) and Ogumilade (1996) explain that damages to books

are caused by rough handling like throwing of books during playing, dropping books over a short

distance, mutilations, inserting thick objects to locate the reference pages, writing unnecessary

comments in the page, ripping off some page, opening of pages with moistened fingers, etc. On the

other hand, Akussah (1991) and Ekoja and Pidagih (1996) observe that careful handling of materials is

not easy especially when they are loaned to the patrons because in a situation like this, control of users

handling or display can not be controlled by libraries.

Notwithstanding, Popoola (2003) observed that the African continent stands the imminent risk

of losing so much of its valuable document heritage due to the problem of deterioration of paper and

other media on which they are stored. He explain that the problems of deterioration are caused by

three stakeholders in the African information sector, namely, the government, users and the

information professionals working in the available information systems.

In agreement with the above statement, Olatokun (2008) observed that information managers

in African countries especially librarians, records manasers and archivist are currently facing the

problem of effective preservation and conservation of information materials in their libraries. He

pointed out that there challenges faced by African member countries in the capture of preservation of

records. These include absence of organization plans for managing record, low awareness of the role

l

of records management in support of organization efficiency and accountability, lack of stewardship

and coordination in handling records, absence of legislation, policies and absence of core

competencies in records and procedures to guide the management of records, archives management;

absence of budgets dedicated for records management; poor security and confidentiality controls; lack

of records retention disposal policies, and absence of migration strategies for records.

Tropical climate which is the excessive temperature, high relative humidity, dust, and rodents

that feed on paper-based materials caused rapid deterioration and decay of information resources in

libraries and archives. These agents of rapid deterioration add more to the costs associated with

preservation and conservation of information resources in libraries archives and records office. On the

other hand, Wilson (1987) was of the view that the longevity of any paper depends greatly on the type

of materials used in making it but on a greater note on the environment in which it is stored. However,

they stated that the environment here has to do with the temperature and relative humidity, poor

environment ventilation system and even, the shelves within excess light, tropical climate. Ugwuanyi

(2002) then states that poor environment entails uncontrolled temperature and relative humidity, poor

ventilation style and inadequate shelves. He said that they all accelerate the rate of the deterioration of

the traditional library collection. Popoola (2003) lamenting on the great need for a well established

document repair and conservation in Africa observes that with the exception of air, fungi, insect and

pest are more pronounced in the continent than elsewhere. However, Mowat (1982) is of the view that

the process of deterioration of paper and book materials can be speeded or retarded by the

environment in which they are housed.

Moreover, poor security measure is among the problems associated with preservation and

conservation in libraries. This is because this securities posted to the libraries are often not literate

enough to identify library materials and prevent them from being stolen. They ate easily deceived as

library users often play on their intelligence. The deployment of trained library personnel at the

li

security posts will definitely improve library security. Unomah (1985) states that theft in academic

libraries has deprived many libraries in Nigeria of valuable collections, and that there is a sharp rise of

theft in the recent years. Not only this, that the greater the access to the traditional library materials in

the library collections, the higher the treats of theft, water, mutilation and other misuse. Besides,

Mowat (1982) states that the greater the financial value of a book, the greater the prospects of its being

stolen. Consequently, Akinfolarin (1992) states that books fail to be kept in libraries due to theft and

mutilation by users which is on the increase in Nigerian universities. He further explain that this act of

theft is more today than ever before, owing to the dwindling library funding and general deelining

global economy. Ugwuanyi (2000) therefore states that the prevalence of theft in our libraries is a clear

evidence that libraries have poor security systems. In agreement with the above statements, alhassoun

(2002) conclude that there seem to be no full proof, method of cheeking theft and mutilation. On this

account, Ugwuanyi (2002) strongly maintain that this serious coopholes call for a modern and well-

tested security outfits to bail our federal university libraries out of this quagmire.

Notwithstanding, Mazikana in Ovowoh Owhiuhu (2010), states unequivocally that the

conservation scene in Africa are faced with the problems of building that house where the library and

archival resources kept are grossly inappropriate, as they were built at a time when preservation and

conservation was not an important issues. Explaining further that most libraries and archival buildings

are not equipped with air conditioners to stabilize the temperature and humidity of the storage areas.

Many air conditioners that are present are inadequate and non-functional. In addition to the above, he

lamented that few libraries and archives with buildings and repair facilities lack qualified staff and

working equipment. However, he stresses the need for a combination of facilities and maintenance

procedures that are conducive to longevity of information resources. The process must begin when

resources are produced. He said that the quality of paper, film base for microforms and the disks for

computers must be made with substances that assure a long life.

lii

Consequently, preservation and conservation policy is another problem associated with

libraries. Most insinuations or organization in Nigeria has on preservation and conservation policy.

These reflects to the aims and objectives of an organization or institution. Akor (2007), states that it

particularly gives the organization a focus as to what to preserve and conserve, for how long and in

what format. That it generally provides a framework for the conservation and preservation programme

for the organization or institution. He finally said that the absence of preservation and conservation

policy is, therefore a shortcoming too important to be ignored.

On the other hand, Wamukoya and Mutual (2003), states that many countries do not have a

national information on preservation and conservation policies in the libraries and information centres

is out of the question. They further explain that disaster control plan is also lacking in some libraries.

They stresses that the absence of such plan means that in the event of a disaster, the libraries would not

be in a position to respond to the disaster with the urgency that it requires. However, to Harvey (1993),

preservation policy means a plan of action or ideas on how best to attain maximum protection of

traditional library material while conservation means actions relating to protection, maintenance and

restoration of library collection. Kemoni (1961) states that preservation policy as a vital document sets

guidelines for storage, clearing and handling of documents, conservation and restoration and education

for staff and users. However, the importance of these two terms shows that both preservation and

conservation aims in having the document containing a data for without preservation and conservation

policy, library falters on its attempts to preserve and conserve her collections. Besides Ugwuanyi

(2000) states that lack of preservation and conservation spells a problem to a library because it is a

preservation and conservation compass. He stresses that this is because no library can afford to

preserve and conserve all its collections. He maintained that it is when a library has preservation and

conservation policy that it will be able to think of what to preserve and conserve, who, when and how

to preserve and conserve them. According to smith (1987), policy makes it certain that a library

liii

discards only those materials which it no longer needs rather than being forced to discard because of

deterioration. He stresses that a good preservation and conservation policy states what preventive

measures should be adopted as early as the materials arrive.

However, Kemonis (1996) work indicates that not many libraries have this important policy. In

agreement with this, Moyo and Ngulube (2001), states that many counties in sub-Saharan Africa do

not have preservation and conservation policies and plans. More so, Popoola (2003) states that

unfavourable government and economic policies of most Africa governments do not favour library and

archival services, therefore conservation and preservation activities are not given the priority attention

it deserve. He stated that such economic policies include those concerning high duties and tariffs

charged on imports of preservation and conservation of equipments which have made the practice of

preservation and conservation difficult.

More so, Popoola (2003) states that inadequacy of equipment and materials have contributed

significantly to present poor status of preservation and conservation of information materials on

African libraries, archives and information centres. He stresses that some of the essential materials and

equipment requires for setting up functional preservation and conservation laboratories in African

libraries and achieves are not available locally. He further states that information professionals in

African society today cannot wave aside the obvious fact that the continent stands the imminent risk of

losing so much of its valuable documented heritage in consequence of ever increasing deterioration of

paper and other media on which they have been stored. He observed that the problems of deterioration

are caused by three stakeholders in the African information sector namely; the government, users, and

the information professionals working in the available information systems. He went ahead to state

that the low quality of paper and ink used in the production of information materials especially library

books and other paper- based records in libraries pose serious danger to preservation and conservation

of information materials in our libraries.

liv

In agreement with Popoola, Shahani and Wilson (1987), states that whether a sheet of paper

lasts indefinitely or briefly depends significantly on the materials used in its manufacture. They

however explain that the increased demands of paper forces the manufactures to use inferior materials

that drag in excess acid into the paper. Harvey (1993) views the acidity of paper as depending on the

modern practice of sizing and fitting the sheet in an acidic medium like Aluminum sulphate. He

explained that when the aluminum sulphate is hydrolysed by water, sulphuric results and causes

reaction to the sheet. Keya (1968) is of the view that the degree of acidity in a paper, and that as the

age of the paper increases and makes the paper brittle. Unomah (1985) stets that acid eats up paper if

not deacidified and that the ink used in printing also contains a high degree of acids. He also explain

that acid in paper appear to be the greatest cause of deterioration and, therefore, one of the greatest

problem of preservation. Nzotta (1982) agreed with this when he asserts that the threats of acid to

documents in Nigeria is much and accounts for about sixty percent of the factors responsible for

deterioration. Although acid in paper is a removable, Motylewski (1991) state that the process has

great economic implications. He said that when such has become yellow and brittle, that it cannot be

reversed to the original standard. To support what Motylewski said, Mowat (1982) maintained that

even in ideal conditions the acid in paper is a major threat and this threat is of greater dimension in

modern books which forms the bulk of almost all federal universities in south East zone of Nigeria.

Consequently, inadequacy of financial support is another problem associated with preservation

and conservation in libraries. Meanwhile, funding of library and archival activities in Nigeria is

generally poor, only few organizations give priority to libraries and archives in the allocation of

resources. Even in cases where statutory provisions are made for allocation of certain percentage of

resources in order to guarantee good funding, the parent bodies often have a way of circumventing

such provisions to divert resources to other areas. Popoola (2003) states that within the limited

resources available to libraries and archives, little or nothing is usually appropriated for preservation

lv

and conservation programmes which in most cases, are non-existent. Ifidon (1991) states that

insufficient funding has been a perennial problem common to all libraries. He explain that the situation

is even more bleak with the government supported libraries where their funds allocation is greatly

controlled or even over- controlled by the accounting officers in the ministries and their funds are out

to them.

However, many governments care less about library collections and its preservation. Not

withstanding, Ifidon (2006) states that the first problem that confronts the librarians is the inadequacy

of financial support. He explained that Nigeria National Universities Commission tacitly withdrew the

approved recurrent budget for library development by the United National educational Scientific and

Cultural Organization (UNESCO). He went ahead to explain that there is no known financial standard

for library development. Consequently, he explained that the annual budgets for many libraries have

either been epileptic or ceased to come. He explained that scholars such as Edoka (1992), Ugboma

(1994), Ifidon (1999) and Book Aid international (2005), an international donor agency have shown

great concern over this problem. He states that this problem is so grave that collections are the raw

materials for library and information services which without them, there cannot be a literate and

informed citizenry, good primary schools, effective secondary school, efficient Universities, voracious

readers or a noticeable reading culture.

On the other hand, Mowat (1987) states that preservation and conservation involves huge cost

of money, whether it is in terms if maintaining a conducive environment, restoring works already

damaged or the suitable treatment of injures works to ensure their continued preservation and

conservation. In agreement with the above statement, Olatokun (2008) agrees that the prominent

inhibitors to effective and efficient preservation and conservation of information resources in libraries,

archive and record centres include: lack of fund as one of the greatest problems of preservation and

conservation of library resources. He stresses that almost all Nigeria libraries, archives and

lvi

information centres do not allocate sufficient funds in their annual budget for the conservation of

information resources in their holdings. He further explain that this has really caused the low priority

or lack of desired attention given to the preservation and conservation of information resources by the

management of such libraries and archive and thereby hindering the preservation and conservation

programme.

Strategies for the Enhancement of Preservation and Conservation in Libraries

Alhassan (2002) stresses that the library is older than the book, older than both paper and print.

On the other hand, the library is as old as man itself. Therefore, there is need to preserve and conserve

what went ahead before us for the past is the foundation of the future. Harvey (1993) states that to

provide methods of addressing the problem, that it is first necessary to develop policies which will

cover the nature and scope of the methods to be used rather than prescribe the precise methods

themselves. He further explain that strategies must be clearly related to the objectives of individual

institutions. He explains that the methods which treat materials economically in buck should be

developed and applied in preference to methods which can be applied to only one item, or to a small

number of items, at any one tome. Harvey (1993) further states that collaborative nature of the

preservation effort is another area where strategy is being enunciated. He said that all who have a state

in the preservation of library resources must cooperate; that conservators and scientists must work

together with the librarians, archivists, administrators and policy-makers to plan and implement

realistic strategies for coping with the problem. Another strategy pointed out by Harvey is that of

distinguishing preventive conservation from restorative conservation practice. He further states that

preventive measures have recently assumed importance as the most significant and cost-effective way

of addressing the preservation problem. He noted that the new techniques seek to provide protection

for an object with the minimum of alteration (preferably none) to the item in other to prevent further

lvii

deterioration, rather than to repair the item in order to prevent further deterioration , rather than to

repair the item by renewing deteriorated segments in an ‘authentic style.

Another important strategy pointed out by Harvey is the Education and training of personnel at

all levels, from the lowliest library assistant to national decision- makers. He expresses that this will be

vital as it will introduce preservation awareness into all aspects of library management. However, he

stresses that for this approach to succeed, all library staff must be constantly kept aware of

preservation and conservation. He maintain that one more important thing with education and training

for preservation is to train librarians and archivists more adequately in the concerns, techniques and

management of preservation programs.

Moreso, Alegbeye (1996) states the following solutions for acid-book problem. He explain that

the first thing to do is to deacidify the books, as it is the chemical treatment applied to neutralize acids

in paper as well as providing alkine buffer. Therefore , he stresses that brittle books should be

reformatted through either microfilming, photography of digitization.

In his own view, Aria (2004) recommends reformatting-photocopying, microfilming and

digitization as strategies for the enhancement of preservation and conservation in libraries. He stresses

that reformatting involve copying activities as photocopying and microfilm and digitizating of some

library book which could become brittle because of the paper used in producing such books. He states

that they break easily whenever they are handled. Therefore, it is necessary to preserve and contained

in them would be lost generally. He explains that such resources are preserved and conserved through

photocopying, microfilming and digitization. He states that books that might become brittle are

photocopied or microfilmed. However, he explains that digitization is a more recent development of

preservation and conservation. That it is the process of converting a text or image in a print medium or

any other medium into a digital medium. He further states that digital preservation and conservation is

a long-term, error free storage of digital information with means for retrieval and interpretation for the

lviii

entire life time span of that information is required. He maintains that it makes available of

information for human to access. That it is widely considered to require more constant and ongoing

attention than conservation of other media. He also explains that it is also a set of process and

activities that ensure continue accessed to information and all kinds of records, scientific and cultural

heritage existing in digital formats. He explains that this includes the presentation of materials

resulting from digital reformatting, but particularly information that is born digital and has no

analogue counterpart. It ensures longevity of library resources.

On the other hand, encyclopedia of library and information science vol.23, states that

photocopying is a prime example of the two-edged sword which on the one hand, provides the

possibility of preserving the intellectual content of brittle books and of reducing tear and wear on

valuable books to the extent that users can be persuaded to use copies rather than the original; on the

other hand, that copying is inherently at least come what stressful to books and potentially disastrous.

Unfortunately, it explains that inexpensive photocopying appears to be necessary in many libraries to

reduce vandalism, but since cheap copying usually implies, self-services, com-operated machine, that

there is little possibility of controlling the care with which books are handled in the copying process.

Besides, it further explain that although different materials react differently to changes in their

environment and because most libraries house mixed collections, libraries and archives strive for an

appropriate range of environmental conditions that overall minimize mechanical or chemical damage.

However, it stresses that recommended standards for temperature and relative humidity have been 48-

52% RH and 65-68F. recognizing that effective climate control method were both cost-effective and

had the greatest potential in preserving material collections, the National Endowment for the

Humanities, Division of grants in the 1990s to help libraries improve collection environments. It

further states that in improving environmental conditions center on modifying and maximizing climate

control through the use of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. It explains that

lix

the environmental factors that are typically monitored include temperature and relative humidity, air

quality (gaseous and particulate), light source and levels, and micro-and macro biological infestations.

It states that preservation librarians should work with building engineers, cleaning crew, and a

conservator to plan for environmental monitoring. It further explain that many libraries now have a

central plant that automatically monitors, records, and adjusts temperature and relative humidity

remotely. Nonetheless, it maintain that preservation and conservation librarians should still conduct

independent monitoring of temperature and relative humidity as a check and balance to ensure

reliability of readings and to develop an environmental profile for each library building, collection,

and/or remote storage facility.

However, the fundamental factors in minimizing unnecessary damage to library materials in

handling and use are common sense and an attitude of carefulness on the part of both staff and readers.

In most libraries, there is probably little opportunity effectively to influence the attitudes of readers

except subtly through the example of the staff and the general ambience of the library. As a result of

this, the encyclopedia stresses that there are a few specific book-handling rules which are that:

� Books should never be pulled off the shelf by the head caps;

� When more than two or three books are to be transported within the library a book tuck should

be used to reduce the possibility of dropping the book;

� Book trucks (particularly if they are flat shelved) should be located carefully to avoid books

jiggling off the truck;

� Oversize books (whose structure is normally not commensurate with their weight, and the

rebinding of which in a sound way is enormously expensive) should be handled with particular

care;

� Books should not be jammed onto overcrowded shelves, and so on.

lx

Although the craft aspects (such as bookbinding) of physical preservation treatment are as old

as the materials themselves, the realization that many fundamental problems can be solved only with

the help of science is relatively new. Equally important and even never is concern for sound

philosophical and ethical bases of preservation and conservation methods for those materials which

have artifactual value. However, encyclopedia of library science, vole. 23, stresses that “paper” is

potentially a highly enduring material, depending on two general factors which are

a) The way in which it is made and

b) The vicissitudes which it may undergo once it is made.

It also states that most corrective paper treatments involve either the arresting or reversal of

damage from storage, use, or previous treatment, or attempts to slow down deterioration caused by

inherent instability of the paper itself. It further explain that dry cleaning may be a paper, not only for

its obvious cosmetic improvement, but also because and subsequent aqueous treatment permanently

“sets” dust into the paper firbers. The encyclopedia further explain that depending on the bulk, value,

and character of the materials involved, dry cleaning, may range from blowing dust off with

compressed air hoses to delicate application of eraser crumbs with the fingers.

Water is not only essential to many other paper conservation treatments, but washing in plain

water is itself beneficial to old paper in most cases. Wash as it states, removes from paper soluble

decomposition produces which are them selves damaging, and it also establishes hydrogen bands, the

electro chemical “cement” which holds cellulose fibers together in a sheet of paper, thus providing a

degree of strengthening. Moreover, since most papers from roughly the 16th

to the 19th

centuries

contain more gelatin sizing than is desirable for preservation and conservation, removal of some of the

sizing by washing in hot water improves the flexibility and apparently the permanence of such papers.

Preliminary washing also may increase the receptivity of paper to aqueous deacidification treatment.

lxi

Aside from this, Agada and Ehoniyotan (2006), stresses that application of rodenticides and

insecticides is also another strategy of preservation and conservation in libraries. They explain that this

method involves a process used to ward of rat or exterminate rat, cockroaches and other insects, which

are a threat to library resources. Rodenticides and insecticides are used occasionally to kill them and

reduce their activities in the library. Meanwhile, regular fumigation of the library department and

discouraging of staff and library users from eating in the library are also measures. They stresses

further that environmental control/installation of electric fans or Air conditioners are another

preservation and conservation strategies. Another useful recommendation for greater improvement is

cooperative undertaking of preservation activities by an libraries. To Harvey (1993) this is done by

many libraries coming together to set up a common preservation unit properly equipped and

professionally staffed. Bayness-Cope (1989) supports this type of resourcing together when she states

that such will help to develop a common preservation idea, co-ordinate institutional policies,

procedures and priorities on preservation. This putting together of resources enables the less privileged

libraries to benefit in all needed areas. The various reasons for this adequate human and materials

resources by some libraries. As recommended by Kemoni (1996) such may be serving as a joint

conservation work. In support of this recommendation, Unomah (1985) states that such

cooperativeness is useful for the acquisition of costly equipment, carrying out research for mutual

benefits, aiding the understanding and care of preservation, clearing house of information on

preservation, provision of training for conservators and stimulation of researches into the problems of

preservation.

Another suggestions is the use of acid-free paper by government bodies, parastatals and the

publishers. Cameron (1991) argues that the most cost-effective and efficient way of securing records

for the future is to ensure that they are printed as a durable materials as possible. This is a preventive

preservation that will greatly improve the life span of the traditional library materials if implemented.

lxii

To actualize this idea, Igbinosa (1993) suggests that African governments should legislate against the

production of paper mills and the use of acid paper by government bodies. To Sylvestre (1981), the

production of permanent paper is technical possible but the high cost of doing so makes it an

unrealistic enterprise for most publishers. For this to be successful, both federal and states

governments, and their recognition of the problems of reservation and their readiness to support

preventive measures by making use of acid-free paper in all their publications.

Finally, one of the most important strategy for greater efficiency in preservation and

conservation is the presence of preservation policy, plan or programme. It has been observed that

many libraries do not have this policy statements which ought to be the first part of call as far as

genuine preservation is concerned. This assertion has been corroborated by the work of Moyo and

Ngulube (2001). Here, they maintained that many countries in sub Saharan Africa do not have library

preservation policies and plans. However, this is to prove that these countries’ libraries have not

engaged themselves meaningfully in preserving the life of their documents. It is when a library,

especially academic library, has preservation policy that it can start to think of the needs and ways of

controlling deterioration. Preservation policy according to Sylvestre (1981) and Kemoni (1996) simply

means an important document whose function includes the setting of the framework within which a

collection is preserved and ensuring the preservation of future library conditions through preventive

conservation. It prescribes not only how to preserve but also who and when to preserve. Since a library

cannot preserve all its materials, there must be stipulations on the ones to be maintained. It is a

preservation compass. However, it is, therefore important that for preservation improvement, that

every library should endeavour to draw up a clearly articulated policy programme suited to its

standard.

lxiii

Review of Related Empirical Studies

This section reviewed empirical studies carried out on preservation and conservation of library

materials.

Olatokun (2008) carried out a survey research an preservation and conservation methods and

techniques in Nigerian university libraries. The study investigated the different techniques used in the

preservation and conservation of library materials in selected university libraries. It examined in

particular the causes and the 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 on fifteen university libraries were it is purposively

selected. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Collected data were structured into

group frequency distribution using the statistical package for the social sciences software. In the study,

it was revealed that preservation and conservation, techniques, though adopted in the university

libraries where not effectively in use although the libraries all have preservation and conservation

policy. The study also revealed that clearing and dusting of library material is the most commonly

used technique. The study also established that there are indeed incidences of deterioration in the most

prominent results being books becoming turn and cracking and scratching. Notwithstanding, results

revealed that although some libraries adopt and use some digital preservation techniques, they are still

not effectively uses. However, other findings showed that inadequate funding was the most sever

inhibitor to effective preservation and conservation activities in the university libraries.

Alegbeleye (1985) carried out a study on conservation and preservation of the bibliographic

resources of Nigeria problems and prospects. The study investigated the extent of the deterioration

problems in some Nigeria libraries. It also examined the cause of deterioration conservation and

preservation scene on public library, academic library, special library and National Archives. A

stratified sample method was used to carry out this study. The sampling was stratified in terms of type

lxiv

of libraries which are academic library, public library and special library. The data were collected by

means of interview and questionnaires. However, it was revealed that preservation and conservation

practices were not given priority. Besides, it was also revealed that librarians play lackadaisical

attitude towards, preservation and conservation and as a result of this, there is know preservation and

conservation policy. He went ahead to explain that librarians who understand that their libraries should

engage in preservation and conservation policy, fail to realize what preservation and conservation

encompasses. Meanwhile, further results showed that many librarians probably think that the

availability of a book in bindery for instance is all it takes to be engaged in preservation and

conservation policy.

Further more, Aleglegy (1996) in a, study of book deterioration of the university in the

university of Ibadan library and its implication for preservation and conservation in African university

libraries, surveyed, surveyed the Africana collection of the university library. A stratified sampling

technique was used in this study. A random sample size of 1,495 books was drawn from the total of

29017 books. Findings of the study revealed that university of Ibaban library not only has an acid-

book problem but also brittle book problem as well. Therefore, he recommended deacidification for

acid-book problem. He explain that deacification does not impart strength to brittle books, therefore

that such books should be reformatted and that there should be improvement in the storage

environment for books that are still in good condition. He stresses that this involves the storage of

materials in an environment in which both temperature and humidity levels are controlled. He

therefore recommended that air conditioning is perhaps the most efficient method of bringing this

about.

Notwithstanding, Ugwuanyi (2004) examine the preservation of traditional library materials in

academic libraries in Enugu State. She used descriptive survey research design in the study. The

population of the study comprises of five academic libraries in Enugu State. A structured questionnaire

lxv

with 12 items which answered the 4 research questions was used. The study tried to find out the

current preservation practices of academic libraries in Enugu State, the problems associated with these

practices, the perceived preservation needs and the strategies for improved preservation needs and the

strategies for improved preservation. The findings of the study showed that many preservation

practices are in use in these libraries.

However, some of the problems militating against the operational efficiency of these practices

that she found out are poor handling practices, lack of preservation personnel, poor quality paper, poor

environmental storage facilities and inadequate finding. She noted that storage needs, bindery services

as well as personnel needs are needed in the library. She then recommended that there should be an

establishment of preservation policy co-operative, better finding of academic libraries in the state as

well as disaster preparedness for improvement.

Ezani and Ezema (2009) examined the digital preservation of the university of Nigeria’s

institutional respository. The study brought out the major issues and current status of the work through

the first hand experience of members involved in the initiative. Six research questions was used to

guide the study. A twenty item questionnaire was distributed to the respondents who comprised of the

total population of both librarians and the technical staff mainly from the university’s department of

management and information system (MIS) directly involved in the project. The findings shows that

the librarians who were involved in the project do not fully posses the skills needed for the work

especially in the skills dealing with book marking restorization of the scanned documents. The study

recommends more training for library staff, procurement of more state of the art equipment, inclusion

of digitalization skills in the library and information science curriculum, the continuation of synergy

between the library and MIS in terms of resource sharing and technical support. The study proposes

that since digitalization encourages the development of local contents and sharing of digital resources

lxvi

among libraries within the country and beyond. The study stresses that Nigerian libraries should adopt

this initiative for the preservation of their institutions heritage resources.

Ozioko (1996) carried out an investigation on the state of delinquent readership in academic

libraries in Enugu State. The study focused on the extent of loses through theft, rip-off, verbal and

physical assault, overdue, mutilation and misuse. The instruments he used for data collection were

questionnaire, interview and observation check-list. Data collected were analyzed using simple tables

and percentage and recommendations and conclusions were made. He found out that the antisocial acts

among the readers are due to poor parental upbringing of the children, high cost of books and

periodicals among others. The level of the problems existing, strategies employed to protect resources

such as the use of guards was covered in the study. There was suggested recommendations of strategic

precautionary protection mechanism as well as the use of one entrance route and exit for readers,

installation of camera surveillance, computers and electronic security systems in the study.

Sule and Ademu (2005) carried out a survey on the impact of preservation and conservation of

library resources. A case study of Francis Sulemanu Idachaba library (FSIL), University of Agriculture

Makurdi in Benue State was used. The study examined the major root causes of deterioration of library

materials from the internal factors to the extent was well as the biological factors that facilitate the

deterioration of library materials. The result of the study indicates that the library has been making

efforts to fight against all the agents of deterioration of library materials and revealed that it is a

continuous one.

Obokoh (1996) in patterns of disciplinary strategies used in dealing with cases of books,

journals, theft, mutilation in Nigeria University libraries surveyed twenty university libraries that

received the world bank project books to deal with books, journals, theft, and mutilation. A

questionnaire was used to collect data. The questionnaire was sent to the twenty university libraries

out of which sixteen were returned with the questionnaires duly completed. The result showed that

lxvii

there is lack of standardization or uniformity in the application of the various disciplinary strategies

aimed at safeguarding the new books and as such the various strategies are not yielding any serious

result in preventing the books from being stolen or mutilated. As a result of this, suggestions were

sought form the libraries on how to enhance further protection of books and journals and the following

suggestions were given by the librarians:

� That students should sign an undertaking in the library not to steal or mutilate books and

journals

� To bear the consequences of their actions when caught;

� That libraries should prepare hand bills on the problems of staling or mutilation of books or

journals to give to students free of charge; and

� Lastly, that the venalities for infringement of laid down regulation should be in uniform

throughout the libraries in Nigeria so that students will be aware of the possible consequences

of their actions nationwide.

Ogbodo (2004) also examined how information sources in our university libraries are protected

and the effectiveness of methods adopted in protecting these information. Four federal university

libraries and four state university libraries altogether eight university libraries in south-east states in

Nigeria was used and 63 academic librarians was used from the eight university libraries. A

questionnaire was used to collect data. The result indicated that university libraries used security men

at the entrances and exists of the libraries and surveillance by librarians in protecting their information

sources. The libraries that was surveyed showed that they do not have electronic security systems and

staff security programmes are not mounted. Ogbodo, therefore, recommended that libraries should

include electronic methods of securing information sources, and that there should be supervision and

developing of a realistic security programme, improving environmental condition of book storage and

lxviii

expanding the capacity of repair and reformatting of damaged books and increasing preservation and

conservation resources.

Fadeham (2009) on the other hand, examined the preservation and conservation of newspapers

in Nigerian university libraries. Five federal university libraries in South-Western Nigerian

universities were surveyed. He compared their preservation and conservation procedures with that of

international practices. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire and an

interview. The findings of the study revealed that the poor storage facilities (housing, storage

environment) lack of bibliographic control, absence of skilled staff and training in preservation and

conservation, lack of content indexing of papers (either in clippings or page by page), lack of full

understanding of the concept of preservation and conservation no sign of reformatting techniques

(except in one of the libraries) and obvious deterioration of resources. He therefore recommended that

awareness of all these things that the university libraries lack, should be created in the libraries. He

also noted that the magnitude of the problem is high and requires a generic solution in all the

university libraries and other related information agencies in Nigeria.

Azuzu (2000) had a study on disaster preparedness in academic libraries in Enugu and Anambra State.

The study was based on three research questions which sought to identify the causes of disaster in

academic libraries, the measures used by the academic libraries in preventing the occurrence of these

disasters in their libraries as well as the measures that academic libraries use to cope with disaster if it

occurred. Nine academic libraries in Enugu and Anambra state was surveyed. The instrument for data

collection was a questionnaire which was administered to nine university and college libraries in

Enugu and Anambra state. The findings showed that most of the libraries studies were not very ready

to cope with disaster since most of the libraries did not have any comprehensive disaster plan, and not

also inform disaster reaction teams or collaborate with essential service department. Azuzu,

recommended intensified surveillance of reading areas and calls that library administrators should

lxix

ensure that libraries should have comprehensive disaster plans in collaboration between the libraries

and essential services like fire services and telephone services.

Ejiga (2005) assessed the management of archives and records resources at the Idah Polytechnic. Four

research questions was used to carry out the studies. A survey research design was used to carry out

the study. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire and oral interview. Sixty

respondents which comprises the head of academic libraries and non-academic staff in charge of

archives and records in the institution were administered with the instruments. The descriptive

statistical methods that were used include frequency table, simple percentages and mean (x). The

result of the findings revealed that there is lack of qualified archivists and record managers in the

institution; that the modern technologies are yet to be introduce into the management of archives and

records; that there is an absence of centralized of centralized archives and record centres; that there is

complete absence of archives legislation and record policy in the institution. Therefore, he

recommends that professional archives and records centre managers should be appointed; that there

should be establishment of centralized archives and record centre provision for modern preservation

facilities.

Hassan and Emmanuel (2006) examined library users opinions on mutilation and book theft in

selected college libraries in Maiduguri, in Borno state. A survey research method was used for this

study. There selected college libraries in Maiduguri was used and the population was 8366. a stratified

sampling technique was used and Nine Hundred and five was sampled. Descriptive statistics using

frequency distribution and simple percentages were used for data analysis. The result of the findings

showed that mutilation and book theft in the college libraries the expected services. As a result of this,

it was recommended that bodily search of users should be introduced to curtail the incidence of

mutilation and book theft. They went ahead to suggest that emphasis should be laid on attitudinal

lxx

changes when teaching the use of library to users so as to change their attitudes towards self-

centeredness in the use of library resources.

Finally, Omede (2004) examined the archival preservation at national Archives of Nigeria, in

Enugu. The study tried to identify the human and material resources available for preservation and to

identify the preservation practices undertaken by these archives as well as the problems associated

with the practices and the effects of these problems on its services. Measure that would improve the

services were suggested. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 61 Archivists, technical staff

and librarians at National Archives Enugu. Simple frequency tables and percentages were used for

data presentation and analysis. The result of the findings indicated that there is an inadequate fund for

preservation inadequate skilled staff and inadequate resources and equipment.

Summary and Literature Review

For effective coverage of the related available literature in this section, the review was

stratified into nine sub-heading thus: conceptual framework, an overview of the concept, preservation

and conservation practices, factors necessitating libraries adoption of preservation and conservation,

library resources to which preservation and conservation practices are applied to human resources

needed for preservation and conservation, problems associated with preservation and conservation,

strategies for the enhances of preservation and conservation, review of related empirical studies and

the summary.

A great number of materials were consulted during of materials were consulted during the

review. Among them are journals, books and grey literatures. Out of these materials, journals are in

the majority and these are of local and foreign origin while the local ones are more in number. These

materials covered universities in African countries, some of them were centred on Nigerian

universities generally, while others covered some specific university libraries in Nigeria. The contact

lxxi

coverage of study was to investigate the various techniques and in the preservation and conservation of

library materials in federal universities.

However, were of these literature sources treated this particular topic, which is the preservation

and conservation of library materials in federal universities in south-East Zone of Nigeria.

Therefore, with regards to the insight given to the summary of the literature review, there is

still a gap on a standardized preservation and conservation policy that will be centrally and

uniformally accepted in federal universities libraries. Notwithstanding, there is then an urgent need to

investigate the preservation and conservation of library materials in federal universities in south-east

zone in Nigeria.

lxxii

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHOD

This chapter describes the procedures that were employed in the research which include the

research design, the area of study, the population, sample and sampling techniques,, instrument for

data collection, method of data collection and methods of data analysis.

Design of the Study

The research design of this study is descriptive survey. This is because this research work

studies the preservation and conservation of library materials in the Federal Universities in South-East

zone of Nigeria. These universities are: University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University

Akwa, Federal University of Technology, Owerre and Federal university of Agriculture, Umudike.

According to Ifidon and Ifidon (2007), descriptive survey involves collecting data in order to answer

questions concerning conditions or relationships that exist, practices that prevail beliefs, points of view

or attitudes that are held, processes that are going on, effects that are held, processes that are going on,

effects that are being felt or trends that are developing. They said that such a study determines and

reports the way things are. On the other hand, Nworgu (2006) agreed with Ezennaya as he explain that

descriptive survey aims at collecting data on, and describing in a systematic manner, the characteristic

features or facts about a given population.

This study therefore seeks to sought out the opinions held by the population, by analyzing data

from librarians in federal universities in south-East zone of Nigeria. The entire group not a

representative will be studied.

Population of the Study

The population consists of all the academic librarians in Federal University libraries in South-

East zone of Nigeria. These include university of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,

lxxiii

Akwa, Federal University of Technology Owere and Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike. The

respondents will include all the academic librarians who in one way or the other are associated with

the preservation and conservation practices in these libraries.

According to Library Statistics (2011), these are ninety three librarians in these libraries firm

the four federal university libraries in the south-East Nigeria.

Sample and Sampling Technique

The study will use the entire population which are the 93 academic librarians in the four

federal universities in the South-East zone of Nigeria were selected as sample for the study. This was

because they are accessible and manageable to the researcher. Hence, will be no need for sampling.

Instruments for Data Collection

The researcher with the help of her supervisor developed an observation checklist and a set of

questionnaire titled “Preservation and conservation of library materials” (PCLM) which will be use to

collect data for this study.

The observation checklist contains 10 preservation and conservation practices available in the

federal University Libraries under study. It was used by the researcher to identify the available

preservation and conservation practices in the libraries under study and also to know their state of

functions.

The questionnaire are divided into two sections. Section A was designed to collect background

information of the respondents, while clusters B to F, will be used to elicit information on the research

questions of the study. However, sections B are subdivided into six sub sections.

Section A-contains six items on the background information of the respondent. Section B.

Cluster A-Contains eleven items on the list of practices applied in preserving and conserving the

library resources in federal university libraries in South-East zone of Nigeria. Cluster B-contains

thirteen items and sought information on the extent of preservation and conservation of library

lxxiv

resources. Cluster C- contains eleven items on the purposes of resources applied for preservation and

conservation of library resources in these universities. Cluster D-contains ten items and sought

information on the extent of preservation and conservation of library resources in these libraries.

Cluster E-Contains thirteen items on the problems encountered in preservation and conservation

practices in these libraries. Finally, Cluster F-Contain fourteen items on the strategies for enhancement

of preservation and conservation in these libraries. Each respondent will be required to answer the

questions by selecting the appropriate response(s) option from the range of pre-scheduled answers by

ranking their choices. Respondents were also asked to suggest answers by themselves in the column

provided for such.

In scoring the instruments, items on the demographic information of the respondents do not

need scoring as this aspect is not tangible to the work. Items on the six sections of the questionnaire

that is section B-F, are rated on the four points likert type rating scale and are assigned the numerical

values 1-4.

Cluster A = Available

Not available

Cluster B and D = Very Great Extent = VGE

Great Extent = GE

Less Extent = LE

Very Low Extent = VLE

Cluster C, E and F = Strongly Agree = SA

Agree = A

Disagree = D

Strongly Disagree = SD

Method of Data Collection

lxxv

The researcher and some research assistants personally administered and collect the completed

copies of the questionnaire. The researcher administered the questionnaire personally to the

respondents at Nnamdi Azikiwe Library (UNN), some of the copies were collected back on the same

day while others were at two of three days interval. For the staff members at NAU, FUAU, and FUTO,

the researcher used research assistants to administer and collect the completed copies of the

questionnaire.

On the other hand, the observation checking was directly carried out by the researcher on the

eleven items of preservation and conservation practices available in Federal University Libraries.

Validation of the Instrument

The instruments were validated by the three experts in the department of library and

information science in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. This is to ensure that the items in the instrument

relate to the purpose and objectives of the study. Face and validation was carried out by the experts

which is to ensure the clarity of the questionnaire. The experts looked at the format of the

questionnaire, whether it is in line with the research questions, and statement of problem. They looked

at the format of the questionnaire, the appropriateness of the questionnaire, the items contained

therein, as well as correcting grammatical errors in the questionnaire. However, they examined

critically the extent to which the instrument actualizes the objectives, the appropriateness of the

language and the clarity of expression.

Method of Data Analysis

Data was collected and organized in simple table forms to show relative frequency distribution

of response to items contained in the copies of the questionnaire.

Frequency Distribution, Percentage, Mean(x), Scores, Ranking and Real Limits of Numbers such as:

0.00 – 0.99 = NE/SD

1.00 – 1.99 = LE/D

lxxvi

2.00 – 2.99 = GE/A

3.00 – 4.00 = VGE/SA was used to present and analyze the answers to the

research questions.

Tables also helped to clarify and compare certain issues and facts obtained in the course of the study.

However, the researcher will use both descriptive and inferential statistical methods to analyses

the data. Specifically, frequencies, percentage (%), mean Score ( x ) as well as deductive reasoning will

be used to analyses each item in the questionnaire for the purpose of answering the research questions.

Each of the item will be presented in the table for clarity purpose.

lxxvii

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION OF DATA

In this chapter, the data collected through questionnaire and oral interview are presented and

analyzed. The ninety three (93) copies of the questionnaires that were distributed to the respondents

representing 100% were filled and returned. The questionnaires were designed for the academic

librarian in the four federal academic libraries in the South-East zone of Nigeria. The questionnaires

are organized, computed and analyzed by the means of mean score and simple percentage (%) and

presented in tables differently. The total presented in tables differently. The total frequency of the

respondents are ninety three (93) with a criterion mean of 2.5 while the percentage value is 100% with

a cut-of point of 50%.

Research Question 1

What are the library preservation and conservation practices Available in federal university

libraries?

Table 1: Observation Checklist of Library Preservation and Conservation Practices Available in

Federal University Libraries

In answering this question, frequency counts, on observation checklist were analyzed after

computation. The availability and the state of function were also analyzed from the checklist. The

summary of the observation checklist is presented in tables 1 and 2 respectively.

lxxviii

Observation Checklist Data for Each of the University

Table 1: Mean ( x ) Responses Library Preservation and Conservation practices available in federal university

libraries in South-East, Nigeria. S/N ITEMS AVAILABILITY

UNN NAU FUTO FUAU

1. Clearing and dusting of library

resources

√ √ √ √ 4/4

2. Binding √ X X X 1/4

3. Digitization √ √ √ √ 4/4

4. Regular fumigation X X X X 0/4

5. Photocopying √ X X X 1/4

6. Lamination X X √ X 1/4

7. Reformatting √ X X X 1/4

8. Proper shelving of books to

allow free flow of air

√ √ √ X 3/4

9. Provision of enough security

personnel to prevent theft and

mutilation of library resources

√ X X √ 2/4

10. Installation of air conditions in

the library

√ √ √ X 3/4

11. Electronic security system √ X X X 1/4

Total %82

1

100

11

9=x

%361

100

11

4=x

%451

100

11

5=x

%271

100

11

3x

The result presented in table 1 and 2 indicated that out of Eleven preservation and conservation

practices which is believed to be important to library resources in Federal University Libraries in

South-East zone, Nigeria, the researcher observed that nine preservation and conservation practices are

available in University of Nigeria, Nsukka while two are not available. The practices available are:

clearing and dusting of library resources, Binding, Digitization, photocopying, Reformatting, proper

shelving of books to allow free flow of air, provision of enough security personnel to prevent theft and

lxxix

mutilation of library resources, installation of air conditioner in the library and Electronic security

system while Regular fumigation and lamination are not available in the university.

On the other hand, the researcher also observed that at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, that four

preservation and conservation practices out of the eleven practices are available in the university. The

practices available are: clearing and dusting of library resources, Digitization, proper shelving of

books to allow free flow of air, and installation of air conditioner in the library while Binding, Regular

fumigation, photocopying Lamination, Reformatting and Provision of enough security personnel to

prevent theft and mutilation of library resources are not available.

Besides, the library practices available in Federal University of Technology Owerre are five in

number. These include clearing and dusting of library resources, Digitization, Lamination, proper

shelving of books to allow free flow of air and installation of air conditioner in the library while

Binding, Regular fumigation photocopying, Reformatting, provision of enough security personnel to

prevent theft and mutilation of library resources and electronic security system are not available in this

university.

However, in Federal University of Agriculture Umudike, Preservation and conservation

practices available in the University are three practices out of the eleven library preservation and

conservation practices. The researcher observed that clearing and dusting of library resources.

Digitization, and provision of enough security personnel to prevent theft and mutilation of library

resources are available while the practices that are not available are: Binding, Regular fumigation,

photocopying, Lamination, Reformatting, proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air, provision

of enough security personnel to prevent theft and multilation of library resources, installation of air

conditioner in the library and Electronic security system.

Research Question 2

To what extent are these practice used in these libraries?

lxxx

In ascertaining the extent of preservation and conservation practice used in these libraries, the

frequency counts and mean score were computed and analyzed. In deciding the extent of these practice

used, 2.5 remains the cut-off point. The summary of the analysis is presented in table 2. The responses

were VGE, GE, LE and NA.

Table 2: Mean ( x ) Responses of Academic Library Staff on the extent are these practice used in these libraries.

S/N VGE GE LE VLE X Decision

1. Clearing and dusting of library resources 28 58 5 2 3.20 Accepted

2. Binding 28 52 12 1 3.12 Accepted

3. Digitalization 12 30 41 10 2.50 Accepted

4. Regular fumigation 5 27 39 22 2.20 Rejected

5. Photocopying 14 29 34 16 2.40 Rejected

6. Lamination 5 19 48 21 2.10 Rejected

7. Reformation 16 23 36 18 2.40 Rejected

8. Proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air 21 54 14 4 2.91 Accepted

9. Provision of enough security to prevent theft and

multuion of library resources

36 36 16 5 3.20 Accepted

10. Installing of air conditioner in the library 13 15 14 51 1.80 Rejected

11. Electronic security system 8 10 24 51 1.10 Rejected

Grand Mean (≠) = 2.44 Low Extent

Table 2 shows the mean responses of the academic library staff on the extent of utilizing these

practices in federal university libraries under study. The highest mean response is 3.20 (cleaning and

dusting of library resources and provision of enough security to prevent theft and multilation of library

resources. In this respect the items mean are greater than the criterion mean. Therefore, the statement

is positively rated. Binding is ranked second with item mean of 3.12 which is greater than criterion

mean of 2.5. Next is proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air with item mean of 2.91 which

is also greater than the criterion mean. It is therefore positively rated. The fourth in the rank is

digitalization 2.50 positively rated all these ones are greater than items criterion mean. However,

others were negatively rated, they are: photocopying (2.40), Reformation (2.40), Regular fumigation

(2.20), lamination (2.10) installing of air conditioner in the library (1.80), Electronic security system

(1.10). Therefore, there is under utilization of preservation and conservation practices in these

libraries.

lxxxi

Research Question 3

To what extent are the prevailing factors necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation

and conservation practices in these libraries?

To ascertain the prevailing factors necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation

conservation practices in these libraries, the frequency counts means scores were computed and

analyzed in table 3. SA, A, D, and SA were used by the respondents to indicate the prevailing factors

necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation and conservation practices.

Table 3: Mean ( x ) Responses of Library staff on the prevailing factors necessitating these libraries in adopting

preservation and conservation practices in these libraries.

S/N SA A D SD X Decision

1. To provide equipment to promote the original materials while in

use

56 31 6 - 3.60 Accepted

2. To make library resources accessible 37 54 2 - 3.40 Accepted

3. To enhance long term survival library resources 66 25 2 - 370 Accepted

4. To provide security and safety library resources 40 47 6 - 3.40 Accepted

5. To provide an extremely attractive environment for the use of

books

20 63 10 - 3.20 Accepted

6. To provide means for adequate electricity supply, fan and air

conditioner in the library

18 54 15 - 2.90 Accepted

7. To promote and encourage rest practices in records

management

23 63 15 - 3.30 Accepted

8. To promote an end to wasteful use of non renewable

information resources

43 46 4 - 3.42 Accepted

9. To enhance education of library users as well as members of

library staff on the best way of handling library resources

37 61 4 - 3.70 Accepted

10. To train and develop staff appropriately in preservation and

conservation techniques and conservation techniques

30 69 4 - 3.60 Accepted

Grand mean ( x ) 3.43 Great

Extent

Table 3 above shows that the mean responses of the library staff on the prevailing factors

necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation and conservation practices in these libraries. It

shows that out of the (10) Ten resources listed, the academic librarians were agreed satisfied with the

ten resources with respect to the criterion mean (2.5), and they are presented in a ranking order: (3.70)

appeared twice with; To enhance long term survival of library resources and to enhance education of

library users as well as members of library staff on the best way of handling library resources. (3.60)

lxxxii

To provide equipment to promote the original materials while in use and To train and develop staff

appropriately in preservation and conservation technique takes second position while (3.42) To

promote an end to wasteful use of non renewable information resources, comes next. To make library

resources accessible and To provide security and safety library resources (3.40). To promote and

encourage vest practices in records management (3.30). To provide an extremely attractive

environment for the use of books (3.20), and To provide means for adequate electricity supply, fan and

air conditioner in the library (2.90). This shows that all the prevailing factors necessitating these

libraries in adopting preservation and conservation practices in these libraries were all accepted by the

academic libraries.

Research Question 4

To what extent are the preservation and conservation practices applied to library materials in these

libraries?

In answering this question, the frequency counts and mean score were computed and analyzed.

In deciding the extent that preservation and conservation practices are applied to library materials in

these libraries, 2.5 remains the cut-off point, The summary of the analysis is presented in table 4. The

responses were VGE, GE, LE and NA.

Table 4: Mean ( x ) Responses of preservation and conservation practices applied to library

materials in these libraries?

S/N VGE GE LE VLF X Decision

1. Regular cleaning and dusting of library resources 44 38 7 4 3.4 Accepted

2. Lamination 17 34 34 19 2.8 Accepted

3. Installing of air conditioner or fans in the library 11 14 19 49 1.9 Rejected

4. Regular fumigation 10 25 36 20 2.2 Rejected

5. Application of fungicides 24 28 42 13 3.1 Accepted

6. Use of insecticides 3 39 36 15 2.4 Rejected

7. Photocopying 17 38 35 3 2.8 Accepted

8. Reformatting 6 24 43 5 2.4 Rejected

9. Provision of enough security to prevent theft and

multilation of library resources

23 53 16 4 3.1 Accepted

Grand Mean ( x ) 2.7 Great Extent

lxxxiii

Table 4 shows the mean responses of the academic librarians on the extent that preservation

and conservation practices are applied to materials these libraries. The highest mean response is 3.4

(Regular clearing and dusting of library resources). In this respect, the item mean is greater than the

criterion mean. However, the statement is positively rated. Application of fungicides and provision of

enough security to prevent theft and multilation of library resources danced second with item means

3.1 which is also greater than the criterion mean. It is therefore positively rated. Next are lamination

and photocopying with item mean 2.8 which is greater than criterion mean of 2.5. It is also positively

rated. However, others were negatively rated, they are; Reformatting (2.4), use of insecticides (2.4),

Regular fumigation (2(2), and installing of air conditioner (1.9). Therefore, those practices are applied

to few of library materials in these libraries.

Research Question 5

What are the problems encountered with preservation and conservation practices in these

libraries?

To identify any of the problem encountered in these libraries under study from the academic

librarians, the mean scores were computed and analyzed. SA, A, D and SD were used by the

respondents to indicate the level of agreement or disagreements with each problem listed in table 5.

Any mean score that is greater than criterion mean (2.5) is positively rated and accepted as a problem

encountered with preservation and conservation practices with the academic librarians. The summary

is presented in table 5.

lxxxiv

Table 5: Mean ( x ) Responses of Library staff on problems encountered in preservation and conservation

practices in these libraries.

S/N SA A D SD X Decision

1. Lack of trained personnel 34 51 8 - 3.3 Accepted

2. Lack of preservation and conservation policy in libraries 27 41 15 10 3.00 Accepted

3. Harsh environmental condition in the tropical zone 46 42 5 - 3.5 Accepted

4. Little awareness of the importance of preservation and

conservation among information professionals

12 42 37 2 2.7 Accepted

5. Inadequate infrastructure 38 49 6 - 3.4 Accepted

6. Lack of equipment needed for preservation and conservation of

library materials

34 50 9 - 3.3 Accepted

7. Frequent power failure 38 43 14 3 3.4 Accepted

8. Lack of effective sanctions among librarians 48 41 4 - 3.5 Accepted

9. Administrative bureaucracy 34 56 - 3 3.4 Accepted

10. Inadequate infrastructure 46 43 4 - 3.5 Accepted

11. Inadequate funding of the library 40 47 4 - 3.4 Accepted

Grand Mean ( x ) 3.4 Great Extent

The above table shows the mean responses of the academic librarians on the problems

encountered with preservation and conservation practices in these libraries. All items mentioned

eleven (11) were positively rated as their mean scores are greater than their mean (2.5). mean while,

the problems are as follows in their ranking order; Harsh environmental condition in the tropical zone,

lack of effective sanctions among librarians, and inadequate infrastructure, frequent power failure,

Administrative bureaucracy and inadequate funding of the library also scored (3.4) while lack of

trained personnel, and lack of equipment needed for preservation and conservation of library materials

scored (3.3). Lack of preservation and conservation policy in libraries (3.0). Lastly, little awareness of

the importance of preservation and conservation among information professionals scored (2.7). The

overall indication is that much problems are associated with preservation and conservation practices in

these libraries. However, no new problems were identified.

Research Question 6

What strategies could be used to enhance the preservation and conservation practices in these

libraries?

lxxxv

To answer this question, the frequency counts and the means scores of the respondents the

strategies for the enhancement of preservation and conservation of library materials were computed

and analyzed. SA, A, D, and SD were used to indicate the level of agreement or disagreement with

each strategy listed in table 6.

Table 6: Mean ( x ) Responses of Library staff of strategies to enhance the preservation and conservation

practices in these libraries

S/N SA A D SD X Decision

1. Regular power supply 65 24 4 - 3.7 Accepted

2. Sanctions among the librarians 40 43 9 1 2.5 Accepted

3. Training of personnel of the library 46 47 - - 3.5 Accepted

4. Regular fumigation of the library 38 54 1 - 3.4 Accepted

5. Proper cleaning and dusting of the library materials 61 32 - - 3.7 Accepted

6. Proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air 64 29 - - 3.7 Accepted

7. Handling library materials carefully 65 28 - - 3.7 Accepted

8. Avoid eating in the library 63 30 - - 3.7 Accepted

9. Formulating a library policy 49 44 - - 3.6 Accepted

10. Provision of security gadgets as well as enough security

personnel

53 40 - - 3.6 Accepted

11. Adequate funding of the library 57 36 - - 3.7 Accepted

12. Adequate infrastructure 50 43 - - 3.6 Accepted

13. Regular education of library users 55 38 - - 3.6 Accepted Grand Mean ( x ) 3.55 Great Extent

The above table shows that all the strategies identified were positively rated and accepted since

none of the strategies means score is below (2.5), the criterion mean. Mean while, all the strategies can

be adopted for the enhancement of preservation and conservation of library materials in federal

university libraries in South-East zone in Nigeria. No new strategies were suggested. In ranking order,

the best strategy are: Regular power supply, proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air, proper

clearing and dusting of the library materials, Handling library materials carefully, Avoid eating in the

library and Adequate funding of the library. The second rated are: formulating a library policy,

provision of security gadgets as well as enough security personnel, Adequate infrastructure and

Regular education of library uses (3.6). Next is training of personnel of the library (3.5). followed by

Regular fumigation of the library (3.4) lastly, sanctions among the librarians (2.5).

lxxxvi

Summary of the Major Findings

The following are the major findings that emanated from the data analyzed:

1. It is obvious that most of the preservation and conservation practices are available in federal

university libraries in South East, Nigeria.

2. It has been established that the extent these practices are used in these libraries are at a very

low extent.

3. It has also been established that that the prevailing factors necessitating these libraries in

adopting preservation and conservation practices in federal university libraries in South-East

are at a very great extent.

4. The extent preservation and conservation practices are applied to library materials in these

libraries are at great extent.

5. The problems encountered in preservation and conservation practice in these libraries are at a

very great extent.

6. The strategies suggested to enhance the preservation and conservation practices in these

libraries are at a very great extent.

lxxxvii

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This chapter discusses the results of the findings presented in the previous chapter, the

discussion, the implications of the findings, recommendations and limitations of the study, suggestions

for further study and conclusion of the study.

Discussion of Findings

The discussion of the findings of this study is organized based on the objectives of the study

and the six research questions under the following headings:

Types of preservation and conservation practices existing in Federal Universities in South-East

zone in Nigeria.

The data analyzed in the proceeding chapter showed that different types of preservation and

conservation practices exist in federal university libraries in South-East zone, Nigeria. Existing

practices includes clearing and dusting of library resource, Binding, Digitization, Photocopying,

Lamination, Reformation, proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air, provision of enough

security personnel to prevent theft and multilation of library resources, and installation of air

conditioner in the library. The findings agreed with Agresto (1986) and Harvey (1993) that we have a

duty to preserve and conserve what went before us and that we have a human obligation not to forget.

They also explained that if preservation and conservation are practiced in university libraries, that it

will be essential to scholars and educators who must rely on the availability of primary source

materials as the basis for good teaching.

The researcher observed that preservation and conservation practices are well known to these

universities under study, yet, the practices are implemented to resources in these libraries under study

at a very low extent.

lxxxviii

Extent these practices are used in these libraries.

Based on the analysis done on the extent these practices are used in these libraries, it was

observed from table 3 that only very few of the preservation and conservation practices are used in

these libraries. It was observed from table 2 that only very few of the preservation and conservation

practices are used in these libraries. Clearing and dusting of library resources, Binding and provision

of enough security to prevent theft and multilation of library resources are used to a great extent which

means that they are accepted while Digitalization, Regular fumigation, photocopying lamination,

Reformation, proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air, installing of air conditioner in the

library and Electronic security system were rejected, which means that they are not accepted. This

finding is supported by Alhassan (2002) that preservation and conservation in Nigerian library is of

primary importance that book votes are drastically reduced by authorities.

However, the researcher is of the opinion that if preservation and conservation continues to be

in use in these libraries under study, that these libraries will soon lose all intellectual content contained

with them.

Factors Necessitating these Libraries in Adopting Preservation and Conservation in these

Libraries

From the result of research question three, the researcher observed that the respondents

strongly agreed with the factors necessitating these libraries in adopting preservation and conservation

practices. These factors includes: To provide equipment to promote the original materials while in use,

To make library resources accessible, To enhance long term survival of library resources, To provide

an extremely attractive environment for the use of books, To provide means for adequate air

conditioner in the library, To promote and encourage vast practices in records management, To

promote and end to wasteful use of non renewable information resources, To enhance education of

lxxxix

library users as well as members of library staff on the best way of handling library resources, and to

train and develop staff appropriately in preservation and conservation techniques.

Extent of Preservation and Conservation Practices Applied to Library Materials in these

Libraries.

Research question four intended to ascertain how these preservation and conservation practices

are applied to library materials in these libraries. The researcher observed that librarians have positive

attitude towards preservation and conservation practices although few of the practices still have

negative attitude towards the preservation and conservation practices in these libraries under study.

The finding is supported by Popoola (2003) that until 1980s, that preservation and conservation of

library resources was though to be relevant to race book resources by librarians and curators of

collection of special resources. He also asserts that library resources has broken down through the

aging process and as a result of this, that modern libraries and information centres are faced with the

problem of deterioration of resource in their holdings.

The researcher is of the opinion that library resource should be well equipped with good and

well planned preservation and conservation practices in order to enable these resources last for a very

long time.

Problems associated with preservation and conservation practices in South-East zone, Nigeria.

According to the analysis done on the problem associated with preservation and conservation

of library resources in libraries, table six identified numerous problems associated with preservation

and conservation of library resources in Federal University libraries in South-East zone, Nigeria.

The findings are in line with Wamukoya and Mutual (1993), Harvey (1996) Kemoni (2001),

Moyo and Ngulube (2003) and Popoola (2003) that one of the greatest problem associated with

xc

preservation and conservation policy gives the organization a focus as to what to preserve and

conserve, for how long and in what format. He went ahead to explain that policy provides a framework

to the organization or institution and that the absence of preservation and conservation policy is

therefore a short coming too important to be ignored. Ugwuanyi (2000) agreed with Akor (2007) that

it is only when a library has a policy that it will be able to think of what and how to preserve and

conserve the resources.

The problem of lack of equipment needed for preservation and conservation of library

resources is rated as a great problem which is in line with Popoola (2003). The findings shows that

inadequate equipment and materials required for setting up functional preservation and conservation

laboratories in African libraries and achieves are not available locally. The findings revealed that

inadequate fund is affecting preservation and conservation in university libraries. In line with this,

Ifidon (1991) and Ifidon (2006) stresses that insufficient funding as well as inadequacy of financial

support confronts the libraries as well as libraries. In support of this Edoka (1992), Ugboma (1994),

Ifidon (1999) and Book Aid international (2005) have shown great concern over this problem as they

explains that collections are the raw materials for informed citizenry, good primary schools, effective

secondary school, efficient universities, voracious readers or a noticeable reading culture.

Strategies for the enhancement of preservation and conservation in libraries in university

libraries in South-East zone, Nigeria.

Following the results and analyses on the strategies for the enhancement of preservation and

conservation in libraries, it was observed that table 7 revealed a good number of the strategies.

The identified strategies are in line with Harvey (1993) that Education and training of

personnel at all levels, from the lowliest library assistant to national decision-makers as this will

introduce preservation and conservation awareness into all aspects of library management.

xci

The finding is in line with Agada and Ehoniyotan (2006) that regular fumigation of the library

department and discouraging of staff and library users from eating in the library are also a good

measure. They also explain that environmental control and installation of electric fans and air

conditioners are another important preservation and conservation strategies.

The finding agreed with Harvey (1993), Moyo and Ngulube (2001) that it is first necessary to

develop polices in libraries which will cover the nature and scope of methods to be used rather than

prescribe the precise methods themselves. They also explain that it is when a library especially

academic library has preservation and conservation policy that it can start to think of the needs and

ways of controlling deterioration. In agreement with this Sylvestre (1981) and Kemoni (1996) said that

every library should endeavour to draw up a clear policy programme suited to its standard.

The researcher agreed that if all these strategies will be implemented, that it will increase the

maximum preservation and conservation of library resources in South-East zone, Nigeria.

Limitations of the Study

The study was constrained by a number of problems among them are:

1. The study was limited to only four federal university libraries in South-East zone, Nigeria. It

should have been so nice that a study of this type should include all the federal university

libraries in Nigeria as this would have given room for a wider and better analysis and

conclusion.

2. However, the study was also affected by dishonesty and nonchalant attitude of some academic

librarians as they were ticking the questionnaire any how because of time.

Suggestions for Further Research

The study is on preservation and conservation of library resources in Federal University

libraries in South-East zone, Nigeria. The restriction of this study is to only Federal University

xcii

libraries in South-East, however, the work has call for more investigation into this new area of

librarianship in Nigeria context.

The following areas for further studies are therefore suggested.

1. Preservation and conservation of library resources in federal university libraries in Nigeria

2. Preservation and conservation of library resources in federal university libraries in state

university libraries in Nigeria.

3. Preservation and conservation of library resources in federal colleges of Education libraries in

South-East, Nigeria

4. Preservation and conservation of library resources in unity schools libraries in South-East,

Nigeria.

Conclusion

Preservation and conservation of library resources have become a driving force in new service

platform of the libraries. Preservation and conservation have been proved to be an important tool for

improving services in university libraries. It is important for teaching, learning, research and

development of human beings. From the analysis and discussion of the findings, the researcher

discovered that different types of preservation and conservation practices were available, functions,

although not well implemented in the library under study especially in federal university of

Agriculture, Umudike and Federal University of Technology, Owerre. The study also identify that

some of the preservation and conservation practices are practiced to a greater extent while some are at

very low extent and others are not practiced at all. This study has also been able to identify the

problems associated with preservation and conservation of library resources in libraries under study,

ranging from: inadequate infrastructure, frequent power failure, inadequate funding of the library, lack

of trained personnel, Harsh environmental condition in the tropical zone and little awareness of the

importance of preservation and conservation among information professionals. The researcher,

xciii

observed that for the enhancement of preservation and conservation of library resources among

libraries under study, there is need for adoption and implementation of strategies which include:

Regular power supply, proper clearing and dusting of library materials, proper shelving of books to

allow free flow of air, Handling library materials carefully, avoid eating in the library, formulating a

library policy, adequate fund of the library, Regular education of library users, adequate infrastructure,

and Regular fumigation of the library.

xciv

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c

Department of Library and

Information Science,

University of Nigeria,

Nsukka.

Dear Respondent,

Preservation and Conservation of Library Resources in Federal Universities in the South-East Zone of

Nigeria.

I am a postgraduate student of the above named department and university currently carrying out a

research on the preservation and conservation of library resources in federal universities in the South-East Zone

of Nigeria.

This research is in connection with my Master’s degree theses. The study is purely an academic

exercise and not an assessment of any sort. You are therefore assured that all the information provided by you

will be treated in strict confidence. Therefore, do not write your name on any part of the questionnaire.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Yours sincerely,

Ozioko, Angela Chinedum

PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF LIBRARY RESOURCES IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN THE

SOUTH-EAST ZONE OF NIGERIA QUESTIONNAIRE

Section A

Demographic Information

Please mark (√) as appropriate in the spaces provided in all the sections.

1. Sex: Male Female

2. Age: 20-30 31-40 41-50 51-60

61 and above

3. Highest academic/professional qualification BLS Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree MLS Ph.D (Lib.Sc.)

Additional qualifications to ones listed above. Kindly specify if there is any variation from the ranks mentioned here

…........

4. How long have you been in the library? 1-5 6-10 11-20

above 20years

5. Rank:

Graduate Library Assistant Assistant Librarian

6. Librarian 11 Librarian 1 Senior Librarian Principle Librarian

Deputy Librarian University Librarian

7. Name of University …………………………………………………..

ci

APPENDIX 1

S/No Name of university libraries Number of librarian

1 Nnamdi Azikiwe library, University of Nigeria,

Nsukka

48

2 Nnamdi Azikiwe University library, Awka 8

3 Federal university of agriculture Umudike, library 7

4 Federal university of technology Owerri, library 30

Total 93

Source: Library Statistics (2011)

SECTION B

Cluster A: Library Preservation and Conservation Practices Available in Federal University Libraries.

Key: A = Available; NA = Not Available

S/No A NA

a Cleaning and dusting of library resources

b Binding

c Digitization

d Regular fumigation

e Photocopying

f Lamination

g Reformation

h Proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air

i Provision of enough security personnel to prevent theft and

mutilation of library resources

j Installation of air conditioner in the library

Cluster B: Extent of Utilizing these Practices in Federal University Libraries

Key: VGE = Very Great Extent; GE = Great Extent; LE = Large Extent; VLE = Very Low Extent

S/No VGE GE LE VLE

a Cleaning and dusting of library resources

b Binding

c Digitalization

d Regular fumigation

e Photocopying

f Lamination

g Reformation

h Proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air

i Provision of enough security to prevent theft and mutilation of

library resources.

j Installing of air conditioner in the library.

k Electronic security system

l Fumigation

m Others: Specify

cii

Cluster C: Purposes for adopting Preservation and Conservation Practices in Federal University Libraries.

Key: SA = Strongly Agreed; A = Agreed; D = Disagreed; SD =Strongly Disagreed

S/No SA A D SD

a To provide equipment to protect the original materials while in use

b To make library resources accessible

c To ensure long term survival of library resources

d To provide security and safety of library resources

e To provide an extremely attractive environment for the use of books

f To provide means for adequate electricity supply, fan and air conditioner in the library

g To promote and encourage vest practices in records management

h To promote an end to wasteful use of non renewable information resources.

i To enhance education of library users as well as members of library staff on the best

way of handling library resources.

j To train and develop staff appropriately in preservation and conservation techniques

k Others specify:

Cluster D: Type of preservation and conservation practices applied to library materials in these libraries

Key: VGE = Very Great Extent; GE = Great Extent; LE = Large Extent; VLE = Very Low Extent

S/N VGE GE LE VLE

1 Regular cleaning and dusting of library resources

2 Lamination

3 Installing of air conditioner or fans in the library

4 Regular fumigation

5 Application of fungicides

6 Use of insecticides

7 Photocopying

8 Reformatting

9 Provision of enough security to prevent theft and mutilation of

library resources

10 Others: specify

Cluster E: Problems encountered in preservation and conservation practices in these libraries Key: SA = Strongly Agreed; A = Agreed; D = Disagreed; SD =Strongly Disagreed

S/N SA A D SD

a Lack of trained personnel

b Lack of preservation and conservation policy in libraries

c Harsh environmental condition in the tropical zone

d Little awareness of the importance of preservation and

conservation among information professionals

e Inadequate infrastructure

f Lack of equipment needed for preservation and conservation of

library materials.

g Lack of competent manpower in preservation and conservation of

library materials.

h Frequent power failure

i Lack of effective sanctions among librarians

j Administrative bureaucracy

k Inadequate infrastructure

l Inadequate funding of the library

m Others: specify:

Cluster F: Strategies for enhancement of preservation and conservation in federal university libraries Key: SA = Strongly Agreed; A= Agreed; D= Disagreed; SD=Strongly Disagreed

ciii

S/N SA A D SD

a Regular power supply

b Sanctions among the librarians

c Training of personnel of the library

d Regular fumigation of the library

e Proper cleaning and dusting of the library materials

f Proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air

g Handling library materials carefully

h Avoid eating in the library

i Formulating a library policy

j Provision of security gadgets as well as enough security personnel

k Adequate infrastructure

l Adequate funding of the library

m Regular education of library users

n Others: specify

civ

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE

1. What are the ways by which preservation and conservation practices are carried out in your

library?

2. What extent are these practices used in your library?

3. What do you think are the major factors prevailing your library in adopting preservation and

conservation?

4. What extent do preservation and conservation practices applied in your library?

5. What are the problems associated with the preservation and conservation practices in your

library?

6. What are the things you think that can be done to enhance preservation and conservation in your

library?