Information Resources Preservation: Bottlenecks and their Effect on Library Information Services
-
Christian Mubofu
,
Henry Mambo
Abstract
This study investigated the factors hindering information resources preservation and the extent to which information services are affected in academic libraries. The population consisted of 170 library staff who were conveniently selected from the seven academic libraries under study. The researchers prepared a well-structured questionnaire for data collection and the responses were subjected into SPSS version 20 and content analysis. Findings revealed that lack of awareness, inappropriate building, and lack of preservation plan and being unsure on how to get started, being unsure on how to protect digital information resources and inadequate funding are the factors hindering effective preservation in academic libraries in Tanzania. The study also revealed that lack of information resources preservation affects library services to a great extent. The study concludes that damage of information resources affected information services. The study recommends that academic libraries management in collaboration with other stakeholders should establish a preservation consortium that will oversee the preservation issues in academic libraries country wide that may reduce the extent to which the barriers of information resources preservation affects the information services in the country. Through this consortium experts in the field of preservation will share skills on how they could tackle the preservation challenges together.
Zusammenfassung
Diese Studie untersuchte die Faktoren, die den Erhalt von Informationsressourcen behindern und das Ausmaß, in dem Informationsdienste in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken betroffen sind. Die Grundgesamtheit bestand aus 170 Bibliotheksmitarbeitern, die nach dem Zufallsprinzip aus den sieben untersuchten wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken ausgewählt wurden. Die Forscher erstellten einen strukturierten Fragebogen für die Datenerhebung, und die Antworten wurden in SPSS Version 20 ausgewertet und einer Inhaltsanalyse unterzogen. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass ein Mangel an Bewusstsein, unangemessener Gebäude, das Fehlen einer Erhaltungsstrategie und die Ungewissheit, wie man anfängt und wie man digitale Informationsressourcen schützt und unzureichende Finanzierung die Faktoren sind, die eine effektive Bestandserhaltung in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken in Tansania behindern. Die Studie kommt zu dem Schluss, dass die Beschädigung von Informationsressourcen die Informationsdienste beeinträchtigt. Die Studie empfiehlt, dass die Leitung wissenschaftlicher Bibliotheken in Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Interessengruppen ein Konsortium zu gründen, das sich um die Bewahrung von Informationsressourcen kümmert und das Fragen zur Bestandserhaltung in wissenschaftlichen Bibliotheken landesweit koordiniert, um das Ausmaß zu verringern, in dem die Barrieren der Erhaltung von Informationsressourcen die Informationsdienste im Land beeinträchtigen. Durch das Konsortium werden Experten auf dem Gebiet der Bestandserhaltung ihr Wissen darüber austauschen, wie sie die Herausforderungen der Bestandserhaltung gemeinsam angehen können.
Annex 1
Questionnaire for Library Staff in Seven Selected Academic Libraries
Dear participant:
I am a researcher from the Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy Library. The purpose of this short survey is to assess the Information Resources Preservation: Bottlenecks and its effect on Library Information Services in Selected Academic Libraries in Tanzania. While I assure your confidentiality with regard to your responses, be informed also that results of this short survey will only be used for knowledge sharing and article publication purposes. Your cooperation is highly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
| Questionnaire identifications/No. | Item | Response |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Date of interview | |
| 2 | Questionnaire number | |
| 3 | Name of university library |
What is your education level?
Certificate
Diploma
Bachelor
Masters
PhD
How long have you been working in this library?
Less than one year
More than one year
Do you have preservation knowledge?
Yes
No
What kinds of deteriorations are highly experienced in your library? Please tick all that apply
Physical deterioration [ ]
Chemical deterioration [ ]
Biological deterioration [ ]
Mechanical deterioration [ ]
All of the above [ ]
To what extent your library information resources are damaged? Circle what is applicable.
Great extent
Little extent
Do not know
To what extent the challenges of information resource preservation affects your library in the delivery of good library information services? Please circle your choice.
A very great extent
A great extent
A low extent
A very low extent
Which of the following Information resources preservation barriers exist in your library and how do they affect information services at your library?
Information resources preservation barriers Responses Extremely Moderately Not at all Insufficient fund Absence of effective preservation policies Insufficient organizational commitment Inadequate number of skilled preservation administrators Absence of good preservation infrastructure Harsh environmental condition Poor housekeeping practices Lack of security Shortage of preservation equipment Inadequate skills for properly handling information resources Complexity of the preservation process What are the greatest preservation challenges facing your library? Please tick the correct answer in the appropriate column
| Preservation challenges | Responses | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |
| Lack of awareness | ||
| Inappropriate building | ||
| Lack of preservation plan and unsure how to get started | ||
| Unsure on how to protect digital/electronic information resources | ||
| Lack of cooperation among libraries on preservation issues | ||
| Absence of preservation consortium in Tanzania | ||
| Poor management support | ||
| Preservation is not a priority | ||
| Inadequate funding | ||
Thank for your Time
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Original Works
- Investigation on the Organic Acid Content inside the Storage of a Woodblock Print Collection and Evaluation on the FFU System as a Mitigation Strategy
- Information Resources Preservation: Bottlenecks and their Effect on Library Information Services
- Gellan Gum Hydrogel as an Aqueous Treatment Method for Xuan Paper
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Original Works
- Investigation on the Organic Acid Content inside the Storage of a Woodblock Print Collection and Evaluation on the FFU System as a Mitigation Strategy
- Information Resources Preservation: Bottlenecks and their Effect on Library Information Services
- Gellan Gum Hydrogel as an Aqueous Treatment Method for Xuan Paper
