Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Date of this Version
Winter 9-1-2023
Abstract
The study examined information resources and security challenges at Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Four research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey design was used by the researcher. The population of the study comprised 53 library staff, and the purposive sampling techniques were used to determine the sample size which is 30. The questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection and was validated by the supervisor. Cronbach Alpha was used to establish the reliability of the instrument which yielded 0.85. Data were analysed with frequency count, and simple percentages, and Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23 was used to generate the mean, and standard deviation. The findings revealed that textbooks, serials, and reference materials were the most vulnerable information resources to security challenges and that book theft, non-return of library materials, tearing of book pages, book pages stained, torn, and stolen among others were some of the common security violations. The findings also established that lack of photocopying machines, financial constraints of libraries, and lack of adequate punishment to serve as deterrent among others were the causes of security challenges and that CCTV, library written security policy to guide staff and users, monitoring of users by library staff while using library resources, introduction of photocopying services in the library, staff security within and outside the library and security guards deployment to patrol the library reading room were some of strategies put in place to curb security challenges in the NDU library. Based on the findings, the researchers recommended that the library management should continue to ensure that the library information resources are properly secured and that the library should enlighten library users on the need to observe the library rules and regulations and on the preservation and conservation of library resources.