ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at examiningpreservation oflibrary materials in public libraries using Abia State Library Board, Umuahia, as a case study. Five research objectives wereframed to guide the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design with a population of37 staff, and adopted the complete census sampling technique. Data were generatedfor the study using a self-structured questionnaire designed with the modified 4-point scale. The data generated was analyzed using the descriptive statistics to determine the mean scores and frequency counts in line with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The finding revealed the available library materials for preservation in the public library to include: textbooks; serials/periodicals (e.g. journals, newspapers, magazines, etc.); research monographs; abstracts, indexes and bibliographies; official gazettes; reference materials (e.g. dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, biographies, autobiographies, etc.); audio-visual materials, and laws ofthe federation (e.g. the Nigerian constitution). It also revealed the methodsfor preserving library materials to include: proper handling of library materials, proper shelving of library materials, lamination and photocopying, cleaning and dusting oflibrary materials, repairs and binding oflibrary materials, proper storage oflibrary materials, training ofstaffand users on preservation ofmaterials, etc. It shows that the extent of use of the preserved materials was high, especially, textbooks; serials/periodicals (e.g. journals, newspapers, magazines, etc.); official gazettes; reference materials, etc. The study also revealed the factors affecting the preservation oflibrary materials to include: lack ofpreservation policies in the public libraries, inadequate funding/financial resourcesforpreservation oflibrary materials, lack ofpublic enlightenment campaign on the need to imbibe preservation strategy in libraries, inadequate trained and competent manpower to handle preservation oflibrary materials, lack ofor inadequate supply ofelectricity, etc. Based on the problemsfacingpreservation oflibrary materials in public libraries, some profound measures were recommended, including: regular cleaning and dusting oflibrary materials;formulation and effective implementation ofpreservation policy in the public libraries; provision of adequate financial resources to caterfor the preservation needs andfunctions ofthe libraries; provision of continuous and regular trainingfor library staffon preservation oflibrary materials; provision of adequate and trained security personnel in the library; provision ofdigital preservation such as migration, emulation, replication, refreshing and encapsulation; provision of public enlightenment campaigns and awareness on the importance ofpreservation oflibrary materials, etc.