Human factors affecting the preservation of serial materials: A case study of federal university libraries in north central Nigeria

Abstract

Rationale of Study – This study examined the human factors that affected the preservation of serial materials in federal university libraries in north-central Nigeria. The objective was to analyse human factors influencing the preservation of serial collections in federal university libraries.

Methodology – The study used a descriptive research design. The population was 250 librarians, while 196 was used as the sample. A self-created open-ended questionnaire collected responses from librarians and library officers at federal university libraries in north-central Nigeria.

Findings – The study revealed that human factors, such as theft and vandalism, natural disasters, and rough treatment of serial items, impact the preservation of these resources. The libraries use various preservation techniques, including dust removal, laminating, shelf care, repairing faded inks, binding, and photocopying. The statistically significant influence of human variables on preserving serial materials in federal university libraries in central Nigeria was also made clear. Librarians in these libraries had implemented some preservation strategies due to the deteriorating nature of serial material and the associated effects of human factors.

Implications – It was suggested, among other things, that university library management regularly teach library employees to incorporate more preservation techniques for serial items, like bleaching and pesticide use, microfilming, de-acidification, and digitisation.

Originality – This paper publishes the results of an original study on the human factors which affect the preservation of serials in federal libraries in Nigeria.