Research Journal of Library and Information Science Volume 4, Issue 1, 2020, PP 33-38 ISSN 2637-5915

Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in ,

Nneka E. Okore1, Ifeyinwacalista Obi2*, Obioma-Anyaogu J.I3 1Information and Documentation Department, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyahomo Benin City, Nigeria 2Library and Information Science Department, Federal College of education (Technical) Umunze, Nigeria 3College Library, Fed. College of Education (IT) Umunze, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Ifeyinwacalista Obi, Library and Information Science Department, Federal College of education (Technical) Umunze, Nigeria, Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT This study was on security of information resources in academic libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria. The academic libraries in Anambra include both private and public institutions: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK); Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK) ; Federal Polytechnic Oko; , Awka; Mandonna University, Okija; , Oba; Nwafor Orizu College of Education; fedral College of Education, Umunze; Ananambra State Polytechnic, Mgbakwu. Four research questions and four corresponding objectives were framed for the study. A case study design was adopted for the research. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 35 respondents from a population of 297 staff in all the twelve academic libraries in Niger State. Semi structured interview guides were used to collect data from respondents, while field notes guide were used to record data in respect of participants‟ observation. The data collected using individual interview guides and the field notes guides, which were properly completed, were presented and subjected to qualitative analysis. The steps followed in doing the analysis were documentation, conceptualization, coding and categorization, examining relationships and displaying data; and authenticating conclusions. The findings revealed that the common methods of preservation of information resources in academic libraries in Anambra State included repairs, binding and environmental control, whereas digitization and migration were not adopted. It also showed that periodic random checks on users and staff, scheduled patrols, and checking of users IDs, were all in use. Keywords: Security, Information, Resources, Academic and Libraries

INTRODUCTION reliant members of the society. The collections in academic libraries should include all types of Information Resources are basically sources information resources in order to satisfy the through which information can be gotten so as information needs of faculty members. And for to meet the information needs of users. They are easy access to users, there is need for proper channels through which ideas, opinions, or organization and management of the feelings are stored or preserved. Information information resources. For instance, Ekwelem, resources found in libraries can be classified into Ukwoma and Okafor (2011) argued that the print, non-print, electronic and digital information university library as an example of academic resources. Print information resources include library is the principal instrument of any books, serials, encyclopedia, dictionaries, university in the conservation of recorded handbooks, almanacs, and directories. Non print knowledge. The library has to collect materials, information resources are items such as compact published and unpublished, print and non-print, disk, audiovisuals, tapes, slides, microfilms, and in some depth and in almost all fields of microfiche, etc. Thus, academic libraries knowledge, not necessarily in those offered in primarily build their collections to meet the the university. A lawyer for instance, spends information needs of the users. hours in a library studying cases to prepare for a The users, according to Edegbo (2011), are case in court and doctors use medical libraries to therefore equipped with intellectual and physical obtain information in order to treat illness. skills that they require to be innovative and self- Libraries have long stored information materials

Research Journal of Library and Information Science V4 ● I1 ● 2020 33 Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria that enable ideas, knowledge and experiences to Oxford and Cambridge adopted the process of be passed on from generation to generation. chaining their books alongside the cataloguing of books; whist copying had declined as a result Electronic information resources are those of the invention of the printing press. Other information resources and services that users methods included preserving the physical access electronically via a computing network existence of the documents by treating papyrus from inside the library or remotely to the library rolls with cedar oils or naturally made Hargreaves (2011). Tammaro (2006) notes that insecticides, after which the rolls were electronic resources include websites, online subsequently stored in earthen vessels or chests databases, e-journals, e-books, CD-ROMs, of cypress wood. audio visuals, multimedia, etc. As revealed by Gohain and Saikia (2013), electronic services Anunobi and Okoye (2008) have also indicated are email based services, the libraries‟ online that Nigerian academic libraries arefaced with public access catalogue, web portals, gateways, hybrid challenges of managing resources, one of and the internet. which is the issue of security of library collection. They are of the opinion that book The preservation and security goes together in theft is a major security issue in the libraries; librarianship practice. What you preserve with special collections being the most targeted without proper security it will be useless. materials and that some library staff take Walker (2013) defined preservation as „all materials from the library without checking managerial, technical and financial considerations them out. Therefore, based this challenges the applied to retard deterioration and extend the researchers want to know security of useful life of materials to ensure their continued information resources in academic libraries in availability. Bessy, Abalaka, Dauda and Okikiri Anambra State, Nigeria. (2014) on the other hand defined preservation as activities which include all the managerial and OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY financial considerations, including storage and  To determine the preservation and security accommodation provisions, staffing levels, policies in academic libraries in Anambra policies, techniques, and methods involved in State. preserving library and archival materials and the information contained in them.  To examine the methods adopted by academic libraries in Anambra State to Methods of preservation and security of library preserve their information resources information resources are age long strategies  To examine the methods adopted for security that can be traced as far back as 539BC in Egypt of information resources in academic when the library books were chain-locked to libraries in Anambra State. prevent them from theft (Maidabino, 2010). Similarly, Walker (2013) revealed that in the  To identify the security threats to information Assyro Babilonian civilisation, Assurbenipal‟s resources in academic libraries in Anambra library at Nineyah had used catalogues as part of State. an internal method of bibliographic control and ITERATURE EVIEW a form of security while during the Greek L R civilisation papyrus rolls at Alexandria were The effectiveness has to do with the process of stamped with the library’s ownership stamp as planning something or carrying out a plan with a well as copying documents – to enable the view to achieving success in a particular libraries retain the originals while they lent out endeavour. Hence, Ugwuanyi (2004) sees the copies to library patrons. This practice was effective strategies for preservation also adopted by Roman libraries during their improvement as plans, methods, and ways and own period of civilization, and during the means of successfully preserving library middle ages until between the 9th and 12th information resources for as long as they are centuries (i.e. the Post- Carolingian Age), when needed. The first step to take care of any library monastic libraries demanded real security information resource is to have a written policy commitments in the form of deposits from their that will guide the library to assess what it has. patrons before books could be lent out. The What kinds of formats encompass the library author also reported that during the medieval information resources? Is it books, papers, audio period, some cathedral libraries such as visuals, audio cassettes, CDROM, etc. A written Hereford Cathedral and Wimborne Minster in policy will help you not only to access how Dorset, England; and university libraries such as many items a library has, but it will also help in

34 Research Journal of Library and Information Science V4 ● I1 ● 2020 Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria the next step: to identify what problems your Polytechnic, Mgbakwu. All the academic libraries information resources may have and what you in Anambra State were studied, and 35 library need to prioritize. Whichever format taken by staff out of 297 were purposively selected for the library to improve preservation issue has its interview in a systematic and rational way. This problems that may need different solutions. The means participants were selected from units or statement is in agreement with Alonzo, D. et al. sections of the libraries which were responsible (2003) and Cunha and Cunha (2004) who noted for preservation and security of information that such conditions include: temperature and resources, and because they were likely to humidity control, good housekeeping, control of generate useful data for the research work. sun light, scientific light, improved storage, first According to Green and Thorogood (2009), class building maintenance and excellent care of samples in qualitative research are usually books. purposive. Green and Thorogood (2009) indicated further that sample sizes are typically As it has been observed, after the library small in qualitative work, and one way of information resource has been assessed, next is identifying how many people you need is to the implementation of the preservation policy as keep interviewing until, in analysis, nothing new far as practice is concerned. Having it is comes from the data – a point called saturation. evidence that a library has started to involve itself meaningfully in fighting deterioration of The researchers visited the various libraries to information resources in the library. It is interview selected professional and para- therefore, right to state that one of the strategies professionals that were directly responsible for for enhancing preservation efficiency is the preservation activities in the technical services, drawing up of the policy guidelines to direct its reader services, and system units. The operations. It sets out the framework within interviews and participants‟ observation were which a collection is preserved and ensuring the carried out in two weeks. Data collected were preservation of information of future information analyzed qualitatively using narrative words and resources through preventive and restorative descriptions, rather than by using statistical conservation. For a successful preservation, it is tools. The steps used in data analysis were those imperative that every library should endeavour to the outlined by Russel (2014), which included draw up a clearly articulated policy programme documentation, conceptualization, coding and suited to its standard. Sound preservation and categorization, examining relationships and conservation programmes are multi faceted. As displaying data and authenticating conclusions Ovowoh, and I whiwhu (2010) has outlined, the in such a way as to bring out the prevailing starting point of conservation programme is the situation in each of the libraries. creation of a policy document specifying, among DISCUSSION other things. Maintaining an optimum resource storage facility is a core function of preservation. This study was carried out to investigate the This practice, in particular, should be methods adopted for preservation and security recognized as the primary means of of information resources in academic libraries in guaranteeing the physical security and long term Anambra State. To do this, five research survival of library information resources. At the questions were framed to enable effective data outset, therefore, the academic libraries must collection in the libraries in order to achieve the study objectives. Among the research questions comply with the following basic directives in raised were: what are the methods adopted by regard to the storage and retention of academic libraries in Anambra State for information resources in their various libraries. preservation of their information resources? METHODOLOGY What are the methods adopted for security of information resources in academic libraries in The qualitative research method using a case Niger State? and what are the security threats to study design was adopted for this study. The information resources in academic libraries in academic libraries in Anambra include both Anambra State. private and public institutions: Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK); Nnamdi Azikiwe The related literatures reviewed provided University, Awka (UNIZIK) ; Federal Polytechnic divergent insights into the objectives, scopes Oko; Paul University, Awka; Mandonna and methodologies of similar studies; and of University, Okija; Tansian University, Oba; course the outcomes of such studies. Among the NwaforOrizu College of Education; fedral College related literatures reviewed are the studies by of EDducation, Umunze; Ananambra State Akor (2013), Olatokun (2008), and Abioye et al

Research Journal of Library and Information Science V4 ● I1 ● 2020 35 Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria

(2013), who adopted the survey research method preservation, security/theft, food/drinks, and in which the data collected were analysed library loans, but they do not have insurance quantitatively. On other hand, Ekoja etal (2012) covers, even when insurance issues were and Alhassan et al (2013) adopted the contained in available policies. Although the qualitative research method, using the case libraries claimed to have policies, written study approach, which allowed the researchers policy was sighted in only the Federal to explore in-depth preservation policies and College of Education Umunze, library. strategies of implementation in the target  The common methods for preservation of population. The review of these previous works information resources in academic libraries helped in the choice of an appropriate in Anambra State included repairs, binding methodology in-order to achieve the objectives and environmental control, whereas of this study. It also gave the researcher insight digitizing and migration were not adopted for into the format of presentation of the results. preservation. Case study method was employed in the conduct of this research. The population of the study  The study revealed that the manual methods comprised of 297 library staff in the 12 of securing libraries‟ information resources academic libraries in Anambra State, out of such as periodic random checks on users and which 35 library staff were purposively selected staff, scheduled patrols, and checking of for individual interview using an interview users IDs, were all in use by Academic guide, wherein 30(85.71%) of them were libraries in Anambra State. However, the actually interviewed. Unstructured observations electronic systems were limited to were also carried out during the interview installation of antivirus software and sessions using field notes guide for recording configuration of passwords on computers of such observations. The interviewees were some of the libraries, while surveillance spread among the reader services and technical cameras were functional in only one library. services units, which have responsibility for preservation and security activities in the  Book theft, mutilation of information libraries. Data collected was analyzed resources, non return of borrowed library qualitatively using narrative words and materials, impersonation, and computer virus descriptions, rather than statistical data analysis. attacks were the prevalent threats in the academic libraries in Anamabra State, while The findings show that, the academic libraries in database hacking was not an issue in any of the Anambra State have adopted good methods for libraries, even where the libraries provided preserving and securing their information various degrees of e-library services. resources for research and learning, which include repairs of damaged printed materials, CONCLUSION binding, appropriate environmental control, Based on the findings of this case study, it can scheduled patrols, periodic checks on users and be concluded that academic libraries in staff, crosscheck / verification of identity cards, Anambra State have good methods for and configuration of computers with usernames preserving and securing information resources and passwords. While written preservation for research and learning. However, they paid policies in most academic libraries in Anambra more emphasis on printed materials, with less State are still non-existent. However, the study use of digital preservation methods and found shortcomings in respect of availability or electronic security systems. It was therefore adequacy of some critical facility/equipment for obvious that the libraries were yet to embrace modern day preservation and security of the opportunities offered by technological libraries information resources, documentation advancement for preservation and security of of library policies, and the complete absence of their information resources. Suffice to say that insurance policies in the academic libraries of the need to mitigate various threats using current Anambra State. technological innovations such as digitization, FINDINGS migration, and electronic security systems in order to stop any possible loss of materials can Based on analysis of data collected, the never be overemphasized. This will obviously following are the major findings of the study: enhance access by users to quality information  There were policies guiding the operations of resources for research and learning in the the academic libraries in Anambra State, and tertiary institutions of Anambra State. In the the contents of such policies included light of the findings of this study, the following

36 Research Journal of Library and Information Science V4 ● I1 ● 2020 Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria recommendations are therefore made for Philosophy and Practice. http://www.vidaho. improvement: edu/mbolin.htm on 21st January, 2014 (pdf.). [7] Akor, P. U. (2013) Security Management for  The libraries should have written policies Prevention of Book Thefts In University Libraries. covering all aspects of information resources A Case Study of Benue State University Library, preservation and security which should be Nigeria". Library Philosophy and Practice (e- brought to the notice of all stakeholders in journal). Paper 995. http://digitalcommons order to make them fully aware of the .unl.edu/libphilprac/995. policies. Furthermore, the libraries should [8] Akussah, H. (2008). The Preservation of have comprehensive insurance policies Traditional Library Materials in the Harsh which would serve to mitigate losses that Ghanaian Environment. African Journal of could arise from disasters. Archives, Library and Information Science, 1 (1), 19-28.  There is need to upgrade and maintain [9] Alegbeleye, B. (2008). Past Imperfect, Present facilities such as binderies, air conditioning Continuous, Future Perfect: The Challenges Of systems, fire prevention equipment etc, as Preserving Recorded Information In Nigeria. well as the introduction of digital platforms An Inaugural Lecture Delivered at The and electronic equipment for vital on Thursday, 24th January preservation and security activities. 2008. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.  Efforts should be made to enhance the [10] Alhassan, J. A. and Abdulsalam, R. M. (2013). Acquisition And Management of Government manual methods of safeguarding libraries‟ Documents in the National Library of Nigeria materials, especially the periodic random African Educational Research Journal Vol. 1(3), checks on users and staff, while emphasis pp. 191-197, November 2013, ISSN: 2354-2160 should gradually shift to the electronic [11] Alonzo, D. and et al., (2003) Mallet Chemistry methods which are gaining very fast Library: An Environment of Respect. Available recognition in the present technological age. at: https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~hollyr/port REFERENCES folio/.../aa-compiled.doc [12] Anunobi, C.B., and Okoye, I.B. (2008). The [1] Abioye, A. (2008). Education and Training in Role of Academic Libraries in Universal Preservation and Conservation. Paper Presented Access to Print and Electronic Resources in at the 1st National Heritage Preservation Developing Countries. Library Philosophy and Conference Held in Abuja, Nigeria from 19th- Practice. Retrieved from http://unllib.unl. 22 February, 2008. edu/LPP/anunobi-okoye.htm [2] Adebowale, T. O., Okiki, O. C. and Yakubu, E. [13] Astle and Muir,A. (2002). Digitisation and D. (2013) Circulation Activities in Tertiary Preservation in Public Libraries and Archives. Institutions in Nigeria: A Discourse On Journal of Librarianship and Information Circulation Transactions Of Yaba College Of Science 34.2: 67 – 79. Technology Library Information and Knowledge Management Vol.3, No.4, 2013 www.iiste.org [14] Atkins, S.S. and Weible, C.L. 2003. Needles in A Haystack: Using Interlibrary Loan Data to [3] AES-11id-(2006): AES Information Document Identify Materials Missing from a Library‟s for Preservation of Audio Recordings – Extended Collection. Library Collections, Acquisitions, Term Storage Environment for Multiple Media and Technical Services, Vol.27: 187-202. Archives [15] Azerikatoa D. A., Christopher, S. B. and Sadat, [4] Aina, A. J. (2013) E-Library Approach for Resource Sharing in an Information B. (2014) How Secure are Library Collections? Communication Technology Era: Issues, An Evaluation of Polytechnic Libraries in Ghana Prospects and Challenges International Journal of Information and Knowledge Management. Vol.4, Library and Information Science Vol. 5(4), pp. No.3, Retrieved from www.iiste.org/Journals/ 77- 84, Available DOI: 10.5897/ IJLIS11.029 index.php/IKM/article/ download/11515/11859 http://www.academicjournals.org/ IJLIS [16] Bankole, O. M. and Abioye, A. (2005). [5] Ajegbomogun, F.O. (2007). Users‟ Assessment Evaluation of Deterioration of Library Materials of Library Security: A Nigerian University at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Case Study. Library Management, Vol.25, Nigeria. African Journal of Library, Archives and no.8/9: 386-390. Information Science, 15.2: 99 – 108. [6] Akande, S. O. (2009). Knowledge, Perception [17] Beagrie, C. (2008) Digital Preservation Policies and Attitudes of Library Personnel Towards Study Part 1: Final Report October 2008. Preservation of Information Resources In http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/progra Nigerian Federal University Libraries. Library mmes/preservation/

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Citation: Nneka E. Okore, Ifeyinwacalista Obi, Obioma-Anyaogu J.I, “Security of Information Resources in Academic Libraries in Anambra State, Nigeria”, Research Journal of Library and Information Science, 4(1), 2020, pp. 33-38. Copyright: © 2020 Ifeyinwacalista Obi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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