ABSTRACT

 The study was a descriptive survey which investigated the security challenges in academic libraries in Nigeria, a case study of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Library. The main purpose of the study was to examine the extent of security challenges in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Library. Eight (8) research questions were used to collect data. The population was twelve thousand, five hundred and eighty two (12, 582) registered users and seventy (70) staff of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Library. Simple random sampling was used to derive the sample size of four hundred and forty eight (448). The instrument for data collection was the researcher's structured questionnaire. A total of hundred and forty eight questionnaires were administered and four hundred and sixteen were returned representing 92.9% return rate. Descriptive statistics consisting of frequencies percentages and mean score were used to analyse data collected from the study using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The study obtained from the findings revealed that mutilation, theft, insect infestation, refusal to return charged materials, lost of materials, unauthorized obtaining of materials, hiding of materials, bringing in combustibles, smuggling in of edibles are the causes of security challenges in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Library. The effects of these challenging acts in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Library are; disruption of service, denying others access to service, extra cost and poor image of the library. The study recommended provision of photocopiers and multiple copies of books, review of loan period and installation of CCTV as measures to curb the acts that challenge library security in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Library.