Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate preservation and conservation of library collections in federal universities in South-East Nigeria. The study answered four research questions using survey research design. The population of the study was 307 librarians in the five federal universities in south-east, Nigeria. Due to the manageable size of the population of the respondents, the entire 307 librarians were used for the study; hence, it was a case of total enumeration. The instrument for this research was a 51-item structured questionnaire titled: Preservation and Conservation of Library Collections Questionnaire (PCLCQ). The instrument was first face-validated by three experts and Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used which yielded a coefficient of 0.81. Out of the total of 307 copies of the questionnaire administered, 299 copies were retrieved and completely filled representing 97.3% rate of return. The data collected were analysed using mean for answering the research questions. From the data collected and analysed, the study identified 10 preservation and conservation practices which were utilised for managing library collections in the South-East area such as having established bindery services close monitoring of users; provision of fire extinguishers in the Libraries; installation of dehumidifiers among others. In addition, the study identified 13 material resources for preservation and conservation of library collections in the university libraries. Major challenges inhibiting effective preservation and conservation of library resources were identified which are inadequate funding of Libraries in the South East zone, lack of prompt attention to deteriorating materials, lack of user orientation on the use of Library resources among so many others. Strategies for ameliorating these problems were also proffered which include retraining of professional Librarians on emerging issues in conservation and preservation practices; proper orientation of users on the use of Library resources; provision of cooling systems such as air conditioners in Libraries; encouraging the archiving of library priced resources among others. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that the management of university libraries in southeast Nigeria should intensify effort towards funding of these university libraries for improved utilization of preservation and conservation practices in Federal University libraries in southeast Nigeria. University libraries in the South East should come up with a preservation and conservation policy document which hitherto was not available in these institutions at the time of this survey. User training of students on handling of library materials will go a long way in reducing the wear and tear of library materials thereby their deterioration; training and retraining of library staff working in these libraries on current and emerging issues of preservation of library materials is very key for durability and increased shelf life of library resources.
