Human, conceptual and technical skills as determinants of preservation management in university libraries in Southern Nigeria
Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication
ISSN: 2514-9342
Article publication date: 7 February 2018
Issue publication date: 13 February 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Preservation is an essential component of library management that requires special skills and competencies. This critical area seems to have been neglected by management of university libraries in Nigeria. This paper aims to examine threats to library information resources and contributions of skills of library personnel to preservation management in university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. This facilitated the collection of data from large population of respondents. Questionnaire and focus group discussion were used as data collection instruments.
Findings
Preservation management is one of the core areas of library practice that requires special skills. The study revealed that university libraries in Nigeria are confronted with threats to their information resources. The study found that human, conceptual and technical skills of library personnel significantly determine preservation management in university libraries in Southern Nigeria.
Practical implications
The paper will allow the management of university libraries to appreciate the importance of personnel skills as the key factor for effective preservation management in libraries and accord it the necessary priority.
Originality/value
While literature is replete with different aspects of preservation management in university libraries in Africa, little has been written on personnel skills and preservation management in libraries. The paper presents one of the few empirical studies that focus on the relationship between personnel skills and preservation management in university libraries in Nigeria and Africa.
Keywords
Citation
Rasaki, E.O. and Abioye, A. (2018), "Human, conceptual and technical skills as determinants of preservation management in university libraries in Southern Nigeria", Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, Vol. 67 No. 1/2, pp. 34-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-08-2016-0067
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited