Effect of Insecurity on Library Services in the North Central Universities, Nigerian

Abstract

The study investigated effect of insecurity on library services in Nigerian universities. In carrying out this study three objectives were posed. Ascertain the causes of insecurity that affects the library services, identify the effect of insecurity on library services and determine the measures used to reduce the effect of insecurity on library services. Descriptive survey research design and Online Structure Questionnaire was utilized to solicit data. The population of the study comprised of one hundred and forty Federal university library staff in the North Central. The findings revealed various causes of insecurity in the universities libraries such as cultism among students causes insecurity in the university libraries/ insurgency causes insecurity around the university community /community disaster and dispute among the people within the university community cause insecurity, indecency dress causes insecurity/ religious and ethnic fanatics within the university community cause insecurity. It also discovered that insecurity elongate university calendar, insecurity destabilizes staff motivation for better performance in the library, insecurity affect regular opening and closure time of library, insecurity affect regular user patronage to the library, insecurity affects general staff training in the library, insecurity stimulates theft and wreckage of resources in library. The study discovered some measures in order to reduces insecurity in the university library with include among others improve number of physical security personnel in the library to reduce the negative effect of insecurity. This study recommended that overall security of the library should be seen by all the staff as a combined responsibility. The security of the library should not be left unaided to an individual or management. This will make the staff to be security cognisant at all times among others.