Security Practices in Nigerian University Libraries:- Caroline A. Okoro

Abstract

Security refers to a process; designed to protect something or somebody against danger. It is an act of preventing crime, where in the case of library resources, it prevents un-authorized removal or loss of materials, usually as a result of intruders' or thieves interference (Ajegbomogun, 2004). Conceptually, it means the overall manner in which policies, programmes, procedures, or measures are deployed to mitigate risk and ensure access to a ^£'rCpU'^^°Unrfce!heared t0 disappear. Relatively, a security practice simply refers to the different types of actions, measures or practices adopted to stop a crime. jnch2?er'fKa[e Performin9 a great portion of their activities traditionally. A recent study has shown that crime against library collections, otherwise known as information resources, is on the increase in a number of Nigerian university libraries. It was observed that there was no significant relationship found between the security measures adopted and the ra e o cnrne “ ’■deft and mutilation of information resources - in some Nigerian university libraries (Uzuegbu, 2011). In avoidance of a situation where new or existing libraries would move to employ or depend on the security measures investigated and found unsuitable to check theft and mutilation crimes in university libraries, this paper is poised at publishing the security practices employed in some Nigerian university libraries. The Nigerian university libraries under study are: Abia State University Library, Uturu (ABSU); Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Library, Umudike (MOUAU); Evan Enwerem University Library, Owerri (EEU); and Federal University of Technology Library, Owerri (FUTO)