TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
TITLE PAGE I
APPROVAL PAGE II
CERTIFICATION III
DEDICATION IV
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS V
TABLE OF CONTENTS VI
LIST OF TABLES X
LIST OF FIGURES XI
ABSTRACT XII
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
Background to the Study 1
Statement of the Problem 13
Purpose of the Study 15
Research Questions 16
Hypotheses 17
Significance of the Study 17
Scope of the Study 19
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 20
Conceptual Framework 21
Concept of University Libraries 21
Concept of Service Delivery in Libraries 26
Concept of Library Security 30
Concept of Library Security Systems 35
Schematic Representation of the Conceptual Framework 42
Theoretical Framework 43
Relative Deprivation Theory by Dollard et al (1939) 43
Collection Security Management Model (CSMM) by Da Veiga and Elof (2007) 45
Model of Information Services (MIS) by Michael Porter and Victor Millar (1988) 48
Review of Related Empirical Studies 50
Security System Adopted by Libraries for Supporting Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries 5
Library Security on Technical Services in University Libraries. 53
Library Security on Reader Services in University Libraries. 55
Library Security on Library Administrative Services on Federal University Libraries 57
Problems Associated to ineffective Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries 58
Strategies Needed for the Enhancement of Library Security in Federal University Libraries 60
Summary of Literature Review 61
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHOD 62
Design of the Study 62
Area of the Study 62
Population of the Study 63
Sample and Sampling Techniques 64
Instrument for Data Collection 64
Validation of the Instrument 66
Reliability of the Instrument 67
Method of Data Collection 69
Method of Data Analysis 69
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 71
Research Question One 72
Research Question Two 73
Research Question Three 75
Research Question Four 76
Research Question Five 77
Research Question Six 78
Research Question Seven 80
Research Question Eight 81
Hypothesis One 83
Summary of Findings 84
CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 86
Discussion of Findings 86
Educational Implications of the Study 94
Limitations of the Study 98
Suggestions for Further Study 98
Conclusion 99
Recommendations 101
REFERENCES 103
APPENDICES
| I: | Questionnaire for University Library Staff on the Influence of library Security on Services Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North Central Nigeria (QULSILSSD) | 113 |
| II: | Questionnaire for Registered Library Users (Students) Introductory Letter | 118 |
| III: | Observation Checklist | 120 |
| IV: | Distribution of the Population of the Study According to University Libraries | 121 |
| V: | Using the Taro Yemenis Sample Size Determination Formula (1964) to Obtain the Sample Size. | 122 |
| VI: | Using Uzoagulu’s (1998) Statistical Formula in the Distribution of the Sampled Population to each of the Universities | 123 |
| VII: | Using the Taro Yamane Sample Size Determination Formula (1964) to Obtain the Sample Size | 124 |
| VIII: | Using Uzoagulu’s (1998) Statistical Formula in the Distribution of the Sampled Population to Each of the Universities | 125 |
| IX : | Returned Students’ Questionnaire | 126 |
| X: | Returned Staff Questionnaire | 127 |
| XI: | Data Analysis for Staff and users (Students) on the Influence of Library Security on Services Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North Central Nigeria | 128 |
| XII: | Validated Comments and Modification made on the Instrument (staff questionnaire) | 142 |
| XIII: | Questionnaires for University Library Staff and Users (Students) on the Influence of Library Security on Services Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North Central Nigeria (QULSILSSD) | 144 |
LIST OF TABLES
Table Pages
1: Observation Check List 71
2: Type of Security Apparatus 72
3: Extent of Implementation of Security Effective Service Delivery 74
4: Influence of Library Security on Technical Service in University Libraries 75
5: Influence of Library Security on Reader Service in University Libraries 76
6: Influence of Library Security on Library Administrative Service in Federal University Libraries 77
7: Perception of Library Users (Students) on Library Security 79
8: Challenges Associated with the Implementation of Library Security or Effective Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North Central, Nigeria 80
9: Strategies for Enhancing the Implementation of Library Security for Effective Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North Central, Nigeria 82
10: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Test of Hypothesis 83
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure page
I: Problems Schematic Representation of Security Problems in University
libraries. Adapted from Hagen, Albrechtsen and Hovden (2008). 42
2: House Model for Collection Security Management for Libraries (CSML)(Adapted from Da Veiga and Elof, 2007) 46
3: Model of Information Services (MIS) (Adapted from Michael and Victor Millar, 1988) 48
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the Library Security
and Service Delivery in Federal University Libraries in North Central Nigeria.
It sought to find out the types of security systems adopted by the federal university
libraries, extent of implementation of security in university libraries for
effective service delivery, perception of library users (students) on library
security. The study determined the challenges and strategies to enhance the
implementation of library security for effective service delivery. There are
eight research questions and one hypothesis formulated, that guided the study.
A descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study
comprised of 25,590. Using the Taro Yamane (1964) formula, the total sample
size for the study was 572. The instruments for data collection were
questionnaires and observation check list. In analyzing the data, mean and
standard deviation and ANOVA were used. The instrument was validated by three
experts at University
of Nigeria, Nsukka. The
instrument was trial-tested on 20 selected library staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe
Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and 15 registered students at Nnamdi
Azikiwe Library, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. 572 Questionnaires were
administered to the respondents in the selected institutions of the study and
516 (90%) were returned and 56 (10%) questionnaires were missing. The data
collected were presented in tables. Descriptive statistics was used based on
SPSS statistical analyses version 22.00 for primary data. The findings revealed
that, close circuit television (CCTV) and surveillance cameras, are slightly
adopted, that the security systems are not sufficiently adopted by most of the
Federal University libraries. The
findings further, revealed that there is insecurity in the collections of
Technical services, reader services, through, theft, mutilation, defacing of
library materials, and vandalism of the university library collections. Findings
also indicate serious dysfunctional security implementation by library staff.
Also, findings showed that the responses indicated that there is serious security
threat on all units or sections of the university libraries. However, some
challenges such as poor budgeting/inadequate funding of the library, in
adequate staff/personnel, sabotage of library security by members of staff,
poor lightning in important areas of the library, epileptic/erratic power
supply to implement electronic security, lack of institutional security policy
among others were identified. Strategies to overcome the challenges were
identified to include, improved funding of university libraries, employment of
more staff in the library, improving lighting of important areas in the
library, need for a standby generators among others. There was a significant
difference between electronic security system and manual security system in
Federal University Libraries in North Central, Nigeria. The study recommended
the recruitment of competent security personnel to man the entrances / exit of
the library, provision of close circuit television (CCTV), special intervention
in the installation of electronic security systems, the need for adequate
funding, development of a workable security policy and the need for collaborative
efforts by the entire library staff in ensuring the security of the library at
all times.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
The emergence of libraries enables people to engage in all types of information. Students, teachers, practitioners, researchers, organizations, communities, governments, among others, rely on the library for information. In essence, the demand for library for information, learning, teaching and research is central to functional school system-most especially, university education. The traditional notion of a library looks at ‘library’ as a mere collection of books. A more comprehensive view, however, describes ‘library’ as:
An organized collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both. A library’s collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audio-books, databases, and other formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several million items (Freeman, 2014:3).
A library collects, organizes, preserves and makes information resources accessible to all kinds of users regardless of their age, backgrounds and interests. Islam (2004) defined library as a learned institution equipped with treasures of knowledge, maintained, organized and managed by trained personnel to educate members of society continuously and assist in their self- improvement through an effective and prompt dissemination of information. Libraries are of different types. They include: academic libraries, national libraries, special libraries and others. A national or state library is a repository of information and publication of a country. A public library serves the general public. An academic library usually serves purposes of research. Special libraries are owned by private individuals or firms or organizations for the purpose of doing specialized research such as libraries of law firms.
An academic library in its generic term refers to all the libraries that exist in institutions of higher learning. Their major aim is to provide the curricular needs of the students as well as to support the teaching staff in their up-to date materials required for their teaching. Edoka (2000) defines academic libraries as libraries that exist in institutions of higher education such as universities, colleges of education, and polytechnics. Universities in particular usually go beyond the curricular needs of the institution to emphasize research in their community and humanity at large.
According to Kudu (2012: p.35); the functions of University library are to:
- provide information materials required for academic programmes of the parent institution
- provide research information resources in consonance with the needs of faculty and students,
- provide information resources for recreation and personal development of users,
- provide study accommodation in useful variety of locations,
- provide protection and security for these materials,
- cooperate with other libraries as appropriate for improved information services, and
- provide specialized information services to appropriate segment of the wider community.
Because of the foregoing, universities are provided with library facilities and resources more than the other tiers of academic institutions such as colleges of education and polytechnics. Facilities or collections of university libraries are, text books, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, abstract, indexes, biographies, geographical resources, serial publication eg, magazines, journals, annuals such as reports, memoirs, proceedings of meetings, newspapers, electronic sources such as, CDs, DVD, computers, films, databases and websites eg, E-books, E- journal, among others (Ogbuehi, 2013).
The libraries are central to the universities. The importance of the university library to the intellectual life of the students, staff and researchers is often underscored by the oft-quoted statement by the British University Grants Committee of 1921 in Baker (2013: p. 9) which noted that:
The character and efficiency of a university may be gauged by the treatment of its central organ, the library. We regard the fullest provision (of funds) for library maintenance as the primary and most vital need in the equipment of a university. An adequate library is not only the basis of all teaching and study; it is the essential condition of research without which additions cannot be made to the sum of human knowledge.
To replicate this strategic position in university education, the Nigerian government understandably assigned the prominent role to university libraries in its National Policy of Education (1998) which, for example, specifies that university education will make optimum contribution to national development by:
- intensifying and diversifying its programmes for the development of high level manpower within the context of the needs of the nation,
- making professional courses contents to reflect our national requirements,
- making all students as part of a general programme of all-round improvement in university education to offer general study courses such as History of Ideas, Philosophy of Knowledge and Nationalism, and
- university research relevant to the nation’s developmental goals.
There are calls, not only for the establishment of more federal universities as the government has done in recent years, but also for the creation, provision, protection and maintenance of properly-funded university libraries and information resources and collections in order to achieve the needed learning, teaching and research. However, after their establishment, security problems often threaten library resources and information services. There is therefore the need to provide security measures to prevent loss of resources, which if not checked, will put the operation of some federal university libraries in the North Central States of Nigeria in jeopardy. Aina (2004) observes that incidents of security threats negatively affect the quality of learning, teaching and research work being carried out by the students, staff and faculties.
In reality, research, teaching and learning cannot take place in a university where library collections and resources are not only inadequate, but the limited ones are pilfered, stolen, destroyed, or mishandled by students, staff and other users. There are research findings that showed that libraries are being exposed to environmental disasters, of careless handling of collections, of absence of security programmes and policies for library management and administration, of loss of library resources to theft and other criminal behaviours (Jato 2005) in (Akpom, Ike, & Onyam 2017). This research work seeks to identify these causes of security problems and suggest ways to solving the problems in order to achieve optimum performance in the service delivery. Ajegbomogun, (2004), Akinfolarin (1992) equally reported that in Egypt, a certain library collection had to be kept under lock and key to prevent theft. Similarly, Terfarra (1996) cited cases of Middle-Eastern and European countries that chain-locked their collected works to prevent theft and vandalism. Yet, most school authorities in Nigeria seem not to recognize the threat of security problems to the life of library collections. However, several security measures such as detective barcode machines; close circuit television (CCTV), 3M electronic security systems, and a workable security policy for the university libraries are put in place to check theft and vandalism. This is more important than chaining or putting the materials under lock and key which may likely prevent users’ easy access to these resources.
Efficient library service delivery has been the cardinal objective of any library. Nwalo (2003) defined library services as all intangible offers given by a library to its clientele to ensure the full exploitation of the resources of the library in meeting their full information needs. Library service delivery is also any facility provided by a library to enhance the use of library resources and dissemination of information (Innocent, 2014). According to Hornby (2000), service delivery relates to any assistance or help offered to a person to enable him or her use or take advantage or benefit from something. In this work, library service relates to any assistance or help offered to the users in university libraries to enable them use the university library resources and facilities. Hence, Edoka (2000) observed that the entire human and material resources in a library are put in place at considerable expense for the overall purpose of providing effective service delivery to the library users. Ogbuehi (2012) noted that the effectiveness and efficiency of service delivery would to a large extent represent what the patrons perceive of the library.
The provision of service delivery in university libraries is regarded as a serious aspect of library service which seeks to satisfy the needs of the user in teaching, research and learning. Childer (1998) stated that the provision of information services represents an important part of academic libraries services and may be supplied in a variety of ways within the library system. Some of the services in university libraries are; bibliographic services, abstractive services, indexes services, inter-library loan services, reference services, reserve services, photocopy services, selective dissemination of information (SDI), current awareness services (CAS), reader services, translation services, library orientation. The university libraries are libraries attached to university. They are the nerve centres of scholarship in universities library. It is an indispensable instrument for intellectual development being a store house of information to which users, (students and staff) may turn to for accessing information. According to Nwezeh and Shabi (2011), librarians have information dissemination as their predominant function. The library has a unique position as a potential educational force in the university community of staff and students of different levels especially in this era of information communication technology which can facilitate the libraries’ capability to reach out to direct users as well as remote access users.
Service delivery is an exchange of information about ideas, feelings, attitudes and beliefs between sender and receiver. While information delivery is in two dimensions that is audio and audio-visual dimensions, Lucky and Achebe (2013) argue that one can actually communicate without visualizing, and on the other hand, one can visualize and communicate both to the classes of users. Information services are to provide value-added information. Information services belong to the services needed by individuals, researchers, faculties, universities and organizations. It is based on the actual or potential information needs of the user, and affords a series of interconnected information collection, processing and provision or delivery services. Within this context service delivery is the provision of information on demand which indicates that a user, who demands for it, will be provided with answer to his inquiry. The university libraries advance the knowledge of users through their libraries with the help of the collections that are the bedrock for the services provided to the users. Gelfand (2005) quoted in Maidabino (2010) referred to the library as the only centralized location where new and emerging information technologies can be combined with knowledge resources in a user for use, service-rich environment that supports today’s social and educational patterns of learning, teaching and research.
In order to bridge the gap between the information seekers, it is necessary to use a variety of delivery strategies to take the information to the users, the use of traditional methods and the technology methods. The strategies must be deployed to deliver the gamut of services to user’s requirements including document delivery service; bibliographic service; Information Technology (IT) service; reference services; interlibrary loans services, internet services, digital services; E-library services; technical service; computerized interactive search; abstracting and Indexing service; exhibition and displays; user education; selective dissemination of information (SDI); current awareness (CA); photocopying service; referral service; reservation service, translation service, lending service among others (Kudu, 2012). For the purpose of this study, information service in library is the sum total of all library activities aimed at facilitating the use of the library and its resources. The research work aims at identifying physical and digital collection security problems that hinder the provision of effective and efficiency services provided in university libraries, like Library Administrative services among others. It is based on the actual or potential information needs of the user, and affords a series of interconnected information collection, processing and provision services.
The availability of all information resources in a university library will create conducive environment for the librarian to provide all those information services, to serve the users in carrying out their researches effectively. Nkiki and Yusuf (2008) in Oyedum, Sani, Udoang (2014) stated that Librarians also agreed that a university with more library resources (Digital resources and physical collections) provides better services for researches, while in the absence of information resources in the university libraries, the service delivery cannot be possible. This therefore, calls for ensuring the security of the resources in the university libraries in north central, Nigeria
Security of library resources is very paramount in the provision of efficient library service delivery, where there is insecurity of library collections, the resources are exposed to dangers such as theft, mutilation, and vandalism among others. These can have adverse negative effects on library service delivery. Ani (2010) stated that security is the condition of being protected physically, emotionally, psychologically as well as from other harms, attacks, terror which could be considered as non-desirable. Edem (2010) defines security as assurance of the future wellbeing and freedom from threat. Security therefore refers to a process designed to protect something or somebody against danger. It is an act of preventing crime. 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). Securities are forms of protection, structures and processes that provide or improve security as a condition.
Relatively, a security practice simply refers to the different types of actions, measures or practices adopted to stop a crime. Library collections often face security problems. According to Maidabino (2010), collection security management in libraries can be conceptualized to mean the overall manner in which collection security policies, programmes, procedures, or measures are deployed to mitigate risk and ensure access. It is the safety and security measures taken to safeguard and prevent library collections, materials, and infrastructure from risk and danger to the longevity, accessibility and availability of library and information services. With the foregoing, therefore, it becomes necessary to have in place a ‘collection security’ which, by definition, is a process designed to protect library collections against un-authorized removal, damage or loss (Ajegbomogun, 2004). This involves protecting library resources against theft, mutilation, mishandling as well as for intruders and vandalism. It requires the implementation of appropriate information security governance (De Veiga & Eloff, 2007). However, the absence of workable conceptual collection security policies, programmes, procedures, or measures for library in universities and, most especially, the federal university libraries in the North Central States of Nigeria is worrisome to the researcher who believes in efficient information service delivery to users. Dan Azumi (2001) observed that efficiency of a library is reduced by the frustration experienced by students and readers. The teachers on their part do not have adequate instructional materials and resources to teach and conduct research. Since the teachers need to update their knowledge and refresh their pedagogical skills on a regular basis before going for lectures, unavailability of required library materials and teaching aids mean that they will not be able to discharge their primary job of teaching and research effectively. Similarly, other researchers will not be able to get the desired library services. Besides, the universities will not be able to meet the cardinal aims and objectives of their establishments. According to Kumbhar & Veer (2016), University Libraries in particular, strive to provide information resources in both print and non-print materials to support the educational services of the university community and humanity at large. From documented evidences, every day there are reports of loss, theft, fraud and vandalism of library resources by users, hence the need for university libraries to provide, maintain and secure its collection in order to ensure the availability, accessibility of its collections, as well as to provide effective services to its users .
In earlier researches, some researchers identified other security problems to include non-return of items by borrowers, theft of library equipment, stock destruction, and digital resources is at risk of probes and scans, account compromise, packet sniffing and malicious codes, all of which can directly or indirectly affect library services. Therefore, library security is a process involved in protecting library collections (print and digital materials) against attack or damage of any kind or form. Abioye and Adeowu (2013) observed that for university libraries to achieve their aim of information dissemination there must be proper security management of library collections against theft, mutilation and deterioration which are threats to university libraries. Digital information security practices encompass both technical and non-technical issues to safeguard university library assets from a variety of threats. Digital information system in libraries support the delivery of image, services and collections to users and these are available on DVD, CD ROM, magnetic tapes and internet among others. These resources inevitably expose library materials to security threats. As a result, some ‘controls need to be put in place to secure them from theft, mishandling, and possible intrusion into the work station or servers of the university libraries.
Even with the emergence of the Internet, digital libraries and archives, cases of security problems still affect libraries. These include: mishandling, vandalism of the facilities such as CD ROM, DVD, and magnetic tape can easily crack when not handled with care or falls on the ground, the CD ROM, DVD, may damage and information on it can lose. Accessibility of the information services cannot be possible as a result of data loss by mishandling of CD ROM, DVD, magnetic tape etc. Theft of books, journals, CD ROM, microfilms, computers and other library collections, diminish materials in the library. Furthermore, mutilation of pages of books, serials publication, reference materials in the library or distortion of computer programmes on CD, DVD, or digital materials constitute security problems in the library (Gama, 2008). It can also cause loss of information in the libraries. University libraries deprived of resources (print & non print) may make users less interested in visiting the library, and often deprive the librarian of the skills to provide required services to users and the user may desert the library for not getting material to solve their information needs.
Security challenges in libraries are endless. For instance, in some cases; the media content are left to deteriorate, to become obsolete or to be damaged. A report by the US Library of Congress, revealed that 44 percent of the sites available on the Internet in 1998 had vanished one year later, because of deterioration, intruders or vandalism, which intrude or hack into the website. These highlight the fact that universities need security for effective information delivery services. This is because these libraries are the foundation of knowledge and information in the universities. We cannot expect an excellent academic programme without the support of a well equipped library. The university library must possess a minimum number of books and current periodicals as well as other resources in order to satisfy the basic information needs of the staff and students for the university libraries to achieve excellent information delivery service. Therefore, any security problem affecting the collection of a university will affect its effective and efficient service delivery to users.
Library has various security systems from its establishments. It has differentiated in traditional and modern systems. Kumbhar & Veer (2016), discussed that modern security systems were made by technological support and traditional systems are totally based on human. This includes security systems such as electronic anti-theft devices, close circuit television (CCTV), smoke detection systems and alarm system at entrance, exits and stack areas in library. This system can help prevent unauthorized removal of collections and feasible monitoring and detection of user in general reading and reference units, as well as shelves area among others. The research work aims at identifying some types of security systems available in university libraries that ensure implementation of library security for service delivery in Federal University Libraries, particularly in North Central, Nigeria.
The area known as the North Central or Middle Belt in Nigeria is largely rural. A drive from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja to Nasarawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau, takes you through large swathes of this area. Through villages, which were once farming communities, and which unknown to so many Nigerians, are responsible, to a very large extent, for feeding the country. Rural-urban drift causes serious security challenge. In the long term these security issues are causing a north- south drift, with the attendant conflict as various cultures clash. Seasonal southward migration by herdsmen due to dry season brings herdsmen into contact with local farmers in north central and increases competition for farmland. This causes conflict between the herdsmen and the ethnic nationals within the region.
As a nation, the Nigerian security report has never been worse. Terrorists such as Boko Haram seem to choose their targets at will. For many families, year 2011 will not be easily forgotten. It was the year terrorism visited homes, streets, offices, motor-parks and places of worship, leaving death and destruction in its wake. Major attacked places include, especially in North central; United Nations building, police headquarters, Karu-Nyanyan, all in Abuja. The bombings continued in the year 2012 with unrelenting intensity as Boro-Haram became more emboldened with the massacres of Saint Theresa Catholic church, Madalla, Niger State and multiple blasts in Jos, Plateau State, among others (Jami’u, 2013). These incessant conflicts/attacks are targeted mostly on government buildings/properties. The security challenges created fear in the mind of the researcher, that one day our University may be attacked by these terrorists and it might affect our University Libraries, it can cause destruction to university’s physical and digital collections in university library. Again the terrorists may use the internet and attack our university library; server damage or destroy the information resources collected in that server thereby causing loses of information that results in in-effective and in-efficient service delivery to users and researchers. Therefore, university libraries should prepare and ensure the security of their collections for better service delivery to their mother institutions. This triggers the researcher to make research on library security and service delivery in Federal University libraries in north central Nigeria.
This study, therefore, aims to investigate the library security and service delivery in federal university libraries in north central, Nigeria. It aims to identify the causes of security problems and suggest ways to solving the problems in order to achieve optimum performance in the service delivery.
