ABSTRACT

The study was designed to look at the preservation and conservation of library information materials in Abia State Library Board. The objectives were: to Identify library materials available for conservation and preservation in Abia State Library Board, identify the conservation practices available in public library board Library Board, identify the preservation practices available in public library board Library Board, ascertain the challenges that militates against the preservation and conservation of library information materials in Abia State Library Board, proffer strategies to militate the problems of preservation and conservation in Abia State Library Board. A descriptive survey research design was used for the study, the population of the study consist of 113 staff of Abia State Library Board and using complete census technique the entire population was adopted as the sample size. Questionnaire were used for data collection, 113 copies of questionnaire was distributed and collected, representing the 100% in analyzing the data obtained, frequency counts, simple percentages and mean (X) were used as statistical methods. The results obtained from the findings revealed that various; that the library under study has quite a number of information materials that undergo preservation and conservation, Inadequate power supply are challenges that affect preservation and conservation of library materials in the library. Based on the findings, it was recommended that; there is need for better funding of public libraries especially in the face of these emerging trends and there should be formulation of preservation and conservation policy to ensure the library carriers out this preservation and conservation practices effectively and efficiently.