Conservation and Preservation of Information Resources: An Assesment of Two Federal University Libraries in North East Nigeria

Abstract

This study is a survey conducted on selected federal university libraries in north east zone Nigeria. The survey covered the extent of deterioration of information resources, conservation and preservation of information resources, constraints to restoration preservation and conservation efforts on information resources in the libraries under study. Questionnaire and personnel observation methods were used as the data collection instruments for the study. Twenty seven (27) professionals and para professional staff of the libraries under study was observed during the study. Descriptive statistic of frequency count was used to analyze the data generated. Four research questions guided the study. The results of the analysis revealed that the extent of deterioration of information resources in these libraries was high. Four different methods of preservation and conservation of information resources were found to in use in these libraries. The study also identified four major constraints to preservation and conservation in each of the libraries, which included; poor nature of library building, lack of defined policy on preservation and conservation of information resources.