Factors affecting management practices and the preservation of library materials in tertiary institutions in Cross River State

Abstract

The study investigated factors against management practices and preservation of library materials in tertiary institutions in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study aimed to investigate the effects of reformatting on the preservation of library items and assess the influence of staff training on the preservation of library contents. The Open Archival Information System (OAIS) and bureaucratic management theories were used as the foundation for the study. A survey design was used for the study, and 187 respondents were drawn from 6 tertiary institutions in the State. Purposive sampling technique was used. The main instrument for collecting data was the Questionnaire, and data analysis was using simple and multiple regressions. The results indicated that every element investigated has significant impact on how well library materials are preserved in Cross River State higher education institutions. It is therefore recommended that staff participate in frequent training sessions to improve their preservation abilities considering the findings. Furthermore, in order to guarantee the longevity of materials' lifespan, and continuous accessibility for users; reformatting at-risk materials - particularly those that are valuable or stored on unstable media - should be given top priority.