Security challenges and coping strategies of University libraries for effective service delivery in Enugu state

Security challenges and coping strategies of University libraries for effective service delivery in Enugu state

Abstract

The University of Nsukka was used as a case study in this study on security issues and coping mechanisms of university libraries for effective service delivery in Enugu State. Seven important research objectives were developed in order to accomplish this. This study adopted a survey methodology and used straightforward random sample procedures. The University of Nsukka library personnel make up the population in Enugu State. The researcher readily chose 41 respondents for the sample size calculation, while 38 responses were received and 35 were validated. Data collection involved the use of a self-made and validated questionnaire. Frequency tables and mean scores were used to examine the collected and validated surveys. According to the findings, book theft, book mutilation, storing overdue books, using a fake ID to borrow books, and incorrect book shelving are among the security issues preventing effective service delivery in university libraries in Enugu. The research findings also showed that the university libraries in Enugu have adopted a variety of security tools to support service delivery, including CCTV, AV security, surveillance cameras, radio frequency identification (RFID) systems, panic alarms, perimeter alarm systems, door intrusion alarms, and EM security tags. According to the findings, the study advises that qualified security staff be made available to guard the library’s entrances and exits. This will aid in preventing thieves and vandals from robbing and damaging the priceless library heritage.

Chapiter 1

Introduction

1.1 The Study’s Background

The proper execution of library services depends critically on the security of the collection’s materials. Resources are at risk of theft, mutilation, and vandalism when library collections are not secure, among other risks. These might negatively affect how well libraries deliver their services. According to Ani (2010), “security” refers to the state of being shielded from harm—physical, mental, and psychological—as well as from attacks and terror that can be viewed as undesirable. Security is defined by Edem (2010) as the guarantee of future well-being and independence from danger. Therefore, security refers to a procedure created to shield something or someone from harm. It is an action that deters crime. When it comes to library materials, it prevents unauthorized removal or loss of items, which is typically caused by trespassers or thieves interfering (Ajegbomogun, 2004). In fact, it is impossible for research, teaching, and learning to occur in a university when the library’s collections and resources are not only insufficient but also frequently misused by students, staff, and other users.

According to studies, libraries are at risk from environmental catastrophes, negligent collection handling, a lack of security policies and programs for management and administration, theft of library materials, and other criminal behavior. According to Ajegbomogun (2004) and Akinfolarin (1992), a certain library collection had to be maintained in Egypt under lock and key in order to prevent theft. Similar incidents of Middle Eastern and European nations chain-locking their collections of works to deter theft and vandalism were noted by Terfarra (1996). However, the majority of Nigerian school administrators don’t appear to be aware of the threat that security issues pose to the longevity of library collections. However, due to the installation of various security measures, such as detective barcode scanners, close circuit television (CCTV), 3M electronic security systems, and a workable security policy for university libraries, this is no longer available in some libraries in Nigeria. This is especially true because locking the materials away or chaining them up could make it difficult for users to access them. Modern communities have a significant and complex challenge when it comes to security. University libraries, in particular, work to provide information resources in print and non-print formats to meet the educational needs of the university community and humankind at large. People need protection and safety for their lives and possessions. According to established facts, reports of theft, loss, fraud, and vandalism of library materials by patrons occur every day. As a result, university libraries must ensure that their collections are available, accessible, and secure in order to meet their users’ needs. In order to provide effective service in Enugu, State, this study explores the security problems and coping mechanisms faced by university libraries.

1.2 Description Of The Issue

Users rely on library resources for knowledge and fresh ideas to advance intellectual development, hence the value of information resources cannot be overstated (Ajegbomogun, 2004). As a result, different levels of resource misuse are a problem for university libraries. The severity of this security issue differs from university library to university library. When handled carelessly or drops to the ground, materials like CD ROM, DVD, and magnetic tape are susceptible to abuse and vandalism. The information on the CD ROM or DVD may become lost if it is damaged. Information services cannot be accessed due to data loss caused by improper treatment of CD ROM, DVD, magnetic tape, among other storage media. Materials in the library are reduced through theft of books, periodicals, CD ROMs, microfilm, computers, and other library holdings. Due to the theft of numerous priceless items from university libraries, these crimes, which are committed by some users, have prevented many users from properly satisfying their information needs (Ani, 2010). Therefore, steps must be done to safeguard and maintain them in order to prevent the total loss of the contents in university libraries. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to look into the security issues that university libraries in Enugu face and how they deal with them.

1.3 The Study’s Goals

The study’s goal is to examine university libraries’ security issues and coping mechanisms in order to provide effective service in Enugu. The research specifically aims to:

1. Identify the security issues that prevent university libraries in Enugu from providing effective service.

2. Identify the security measures used by Enugu’s university libraries to enable service delivery.

3. Discover the difficulties in implementing library security for efficient service delivery in Enugu’s university libraries.

4. Identify the methods to improve library security implementation for efficient service delivery in university libraries in Enugu.

1.4 Research Problem

The following inquiries will serve as a guide for the study:

1. What security issues prevent university libraries in Enugu from providing good service?

2. What security measures have university libraries in Enugu adopted to facilitate service delivery?

3. What obstacles must be overcome in order to successfully implement library security at Enugu’s university libraries?

4. What are the best ways to improve library security implementation for efficient service delivery in Enugu’s university libraries?

1.5 Importance of the Study

The importance of this study is based on the requirement to enhance library security management to avoid book theft, particularly as it relates to research, and to re-examine the functions of the university library in order to meet the stated goals. University libraries are not always safe and secure locations and they are dealing with a wide variety of security concerns, including the theft and mutilation of library materials. As a result, the study becomes valuable because its findings, if used, will help to rendering solutions to the problems of security and crime management for prevention of ongoing book thefts. According to the findings of several library studies, the majority of libraries in Enugu State struggle with security management to prevent the loss of library information resources.

1.6 Study’s Purpose

The study’s goal is to examine university libraries’ security issues and coping mechanisms in order to provide effective service in Enugu. The study will also determine the security issues preventing the delivery of effective services to university libraries in Enugu, the types of security equipment the Federal University, Enugu Library has adopted to support service delivery, the issues with implementing library security for efficient service delivery in university libraries in Enugu, and the strategies to improve implementing library security for efficient service delivery. University of Nsukka, Enugu State, librarians will provide the respondents for this study.

1.7 Study Restrictions

While doing the study, the researcher ran into some minor obstacles, just as in every human endeavor. Due to a lack of resources, the researcher was only able to choose from a small number of sample sizes while looking for pertinent materials, literature, or information, as well as when collecting data. Even more so, the researcher worked on this study and other scholarly projects at the same time. The time needed for study will be cut down as a result.

1.8 Term Definitions

Comparative: The study of how two or more scientific disciplines or academic fields differ or are similar.

Security is the defense of a person, a structure, a business, or a nation against external or internal threats like crime or terrorist strikes.

Crime: A crime is an act that is performed to omit, in defiance of a public law, either forbidding or requiring it, or a breach of some public right or responsibility owed to the entire community, taken as a whole.

Preventing something from happening or someone from doing something is the act of prevention.

Challenges: (The situation of being presented with) something that requires a lot of physical or mental effort to do and hence puts one’s abilities to the test.

Academic library: An academic library is a library that is a part of a higher education institution and serves the curriculum of the institution as well as the research of the faculty and students at the university.