Factors Militating Against Application of Electronic Security Devices in Federal Colleges of Education Libraries In Northwest, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigates factors militating against application of electronic security devices in Federal Colleges of Education libraries in Northwest, Nigeria. The study had two research questions. The qualitative research method was adopted for the study using descriptive survey research design to elicit information from the participants. The population of the study constituted twenty five (25) participants from FCE libraries in Northwest, Nigeria out of which seventeen (17) participants were purposively sampled. Structured interview with open ended questions was used as instrument for data collection. The data was collected by administrating interview and analyzed using thematic analysis with open coding. The findings revealed that erratic power supply, poor maintenance culture, poor staff training and high cost of electronic security devices as the factors militating against application of electronic security devices (ESDs) FCE libraries in Northwest, Nigeria. The study further revealed that hackers attack as another factor militating against application of ESDs in the FCE libraries under studies. As such, the study recommends that the FCE libraries in Northwest, Nigeria should invest in robust cybersecurity infrastructure, including firewalls, encryption tools and regular software updates, library staff and IT personnel should undergo regular training on cybersecurity best practices to mitigate potential threats that affect electronic security devices. Federal government, TETFUND and institutional management should prioritize increased funding for libraries to acquire modern electronic security systems and maintain their IT infrastructure.