ABSTRACT

This study examined the Preservation and Conservation ofLibrary Materials in Imo State Library Board, Owerri. The study was guided by four research objectives and questions covering the needsforpreservation and conservation oflibrary materials, Mean responses on Equipment for preserving and conserving Library Materials, Mean responses on the Techniques and Method for preservation and Conservation of Library Materials, Mean responses on challenges confronting the preservation and conservation ofLibrary Materials. The research design adoptedfor this study was a descriptive survey with a population of199 comprising of 110 users and 89 staffofthe library. A census sampling technique was used since the population is considerate. The instrumentfor data collection was Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials in Imo State Library Board, Owerri Questionnaire (PCLMISLBOQ). The questionnaire was designed in line with four point likert rating scale. One hundred and ninety nine copies (199) copies ofthe questionnaire were administered of which one hundred and sixty nine (169) were correctlyfdled and returned indicating 84.9% response rate. Data was analyzed using mean andstandard deviation thefindings ofthisstudy revealed that there is high needfor preservation and conservation oflibrary materials in Imo State Library Board, Owerri, the equipments that usedfor the preservation and conservation of library materials are computer, air conditioner, bucket ofsand, scanning Machine, fire extinguisher andfumigators. It also revealed that binding oflibrary information materials, proper shelving of books to allow free flow of air, environmental monitoring, adequate ventilation, paper lamination, regular fumigation of library information materials, pest inspection and microfilming are the various techniques with which library materials could be preserved and conserved. Further findings from research work elucidated the challenges militating the preservation and conservation oflibrary materials in Imo State Library Board involving inadequate financial support, inadequate power supply, lack ofpreservation and conservation policy in the library, inadequate equipment and materialsfor preserving and conserving oflibrary resources, lack oftrainedpersonnel staff, low level ofawareness ofthe importance ofpreservation and conservation among theprofessionals, poorsecurity measure, low level of awareness of the importance of preservation and conservation among the professionals. Recommendations were also given which include regular power supply., Regular Fumigation ofthe library, proper shelving of books to allowfree flow ofair., and adequate funding ofthe library should be ensured so as to sustain preservation oflibrary materials.