Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Document Type
Article
Abstract
The objective of the study is to determine the types of disaster control practices by librarians in academic libraries in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The study covers academic libraries in Bauchi state, Nigeria. Questionnaires were used to elicit data from the respondents. The population of the study comprises 70 librarians in the academic libraries covered in the area of study. The researchers employed the total enumeration sampling technique which involves studying the entire respondents. 70 copies of the questionnaires were distributed to the respondents; 65 copies of the Questionnaire were retrieved representing 93% response rate. The data collected from the respondents were analysed using simple percentage and frequency count. The study revealed that the types of disasters prevalent in academic libraries in Bauchi state, Nigeria are; fire outbreak, wind storm, book mutilation, theft of library materials, negligence of library staff, kidnapping, terrorism, biological agents and leaking roofs. The study also revealed that most libraries under study, indicated that there is no any established disaster control practices. The only available facilities for disaster control are fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, sand filled buckets, CCTV cameras, emergency exit door and fire alarms. The study recommended that university libraries should have a proper surveillance and adequate security personnel in place to reduce theft and book mutilation of library information resources. Academic libraries in Bauchi state, should establish a disaster control plan in their libraries to safeguard any occurrences that may damage library resources and loss of lives and properties.