CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Library is an institution
housing a collection of books and non-book materials like the audiovisual
equipments in a systematic manner for
easy receival by he users. The primary aim f he library is to provide and
preserve the information for users.
Chukwuma (2004), use of
library states that “library is a place where professionally selected and
acquired books and non-book materials are processed and orderly arranged ot
make for easy location, retrieval and use”.
Eyisi (2011),
foundation of library states that “library is a collection of sources, services
and the structure in which it is housed which is organized for use and
maintained by a public body, an institution or a private individual”. There is
need therefore, for any library to acquire information materials that would
satisfy the need of us users and also preserve these information materials for
posterity. This study will therefore, focus on the preservation of library
materials in the Kenneth Dike E. library Awka.
According to New
enclopedia Britannica, preservation is defined as “planned management natural
resources or the total environment of a particular ecosystem to prevent
exploitation destruction or neglect and to ensure the future of that
resources”.
Boochaarden (1955),
simple defined preservation as action taken, anticipated, prevent, stop or
retard deterioration”.
Preservation of library
material in the public libraries is the act of keeping both books and non-book
materials safe from the destructive effects of sunlight, human handling,
animals and others insidious enemies of library material such as book-worms and
moulds.
The deterioration of
information materials is not a recent phenomenon. Research predicts that all
paper base records may face imminent ruin if nothing is done to preserve them.
Williams (1970) noted
that was everything in the library collection is deteriorating today was
deteriorating yesterday and will continue to deteriorate tomorrow although we
ought ot retard the process”.
According to Akwabro
(198) “the issue of preserving library materials stared as for back as 668-626
BC in Assyria Egypt and China where
knowledge was recorded in papyrills and palm leaves which were mostly used in
Egypt then were special rooms and some people were employed to take proper care
of them, chains were usually used to hold the table by typing them to he
reading tablets.
A preservation
programme provides a complete protection services beginning with systematic
cleaning of the collection at suitable interval. However, the entire collection
will have to pass through repair, rebuilding, replacement, microfilm or new
stabilization process. To ensure that library methals remain available to be
presented to future generation of library usere. Libraies should engage in a
variety of preservation efforts such as conserving the original material and
the transfer of information form original materials to more durable formats.
This can be achieved by
appointing a conservator who will be expert in weather preservation, insection
control, mold and footing as well as blinding and lamination, such a person
must be expert in photograph reproduction; he guard against all chemical
unstabilized articles especially the atmospheric condition and protects the
books against excessive exposure to sunlight. He must know the problems of
housing manuscript, maps and sheet music.
Materials in the
library face a lot of problems in the course of their preservation.
Unfortunately, even when the custodians of these material become aware of these
of these problems, they may be handicapped by the relative unavailability of
expert advice on which procedures to follow in conserving these material.
1.1 HISTORICAL BACGROUND OF KENNETH DIKE D.
LIBRARY IN AWKA
The history of Prof.
Kenneth Dike state central e-library, Awka commissioned by his Excellency Chief
Peter Obi (CON) governor of
on Saturday 15th
March, 2014 facilitated by Chief (Barr) Joe martin Uzodike. Hon. Commissioner
for information culture and tourism Anambra state Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike
e-library was formerly known as Anambra state library was at Enugu State by
after the creation of the sate (Anambra) on 27th August, 1991, the
library was situated from Enugu to Anambra after the creation of the state, he
old workers working in Enugu divided the materials in the old Anambra Library
Board.
NB: , Imo and Anambra Satte
library law is a parastatal and it was
set up under cap 82 law of Anambra state Nigeria then 2669 of 1979. when
this library was shifted form Enugu to Anambra state, it was being located at
N0 36 Zik Avenue Awka to a private library then to federal government college
then to St. Mary’s secondary school, Ifite Dunu.
The foundation stone of
Prof. Kenneth Onwuka Dike library was then being laid by the ex-governor of
Anambra state, Chief Peter Obi on the 10th September, 2008 and a
permanent library since was built.
After 2 years of
building completion of the library, Dr. Mrs. Nkem Osuigwe, became the director
of library service, with the permission for governor Peter Obi and the
ex-commissioner of information Joe Martin Uzodike, went into the new building
with the librarians assistance and library officers and started furnishing and
arranging book in order, setting the library in a standard form.
On he 5th
March 2014, Chief Peter Obi governor Ementus Anambra stae commissioned the new
Prof. Kenneth Dike e-library. Awka and since the library is now opened for
users.
In Kenneth Dike e-central library, we have 5 departments.
1. DIRECTOR’S OFFICE: It is where the dictator stay and those people
who with her are administered. We have three divisional libraries and 9
branches that me it 11 branches it is headed by Dr. Mrs Nkem Osuigwe.
2 ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT: Is where the workers and other staff
that is working there is administered. It is headed by Mrs. Nkiru Amaobi.
3 ACCOUNTANT DEPARTMENT: It is where the financial issued of the
library are runned with chartered accountants. It is headed by Mrs Ngozi
Obosita.
4 TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT: In this, we have librarians who catalogue and
classify books, the typist and library assistant. It is headed by Mrs Uju
Akanya.
5 PUBLIC SECTION DEPT. (P.S.D) CIRCULAITON DEPT: Its were the books
fleats, in this PSD. We have 6 dept section in public section department; we
have six section; they incoude:
i E-LIBRARY: Is where we
have the computers and were those that want to do research and also to do
computer training are trained. It is headed by Mrs Ifeoma Dikpo.
ii LENDING SECTION: It is the
only seciton that book can be borrowed and read. It is headd by Mrs Ekwunife
success.
iii NIGERIANNA: This is were the books written about Nigeria as a country are kept or another foreign
author wrote about Nigeria
are kept. It is headed by Mrs. Ujuibida.
iv CHILDREN SECTION: Is were all the children fictions and non fiction
books are kept and also toys are kept there. It is head by Mrs Nneka Okoye.
v REFERENCE SECTION: It is the section most royal book the books that
are not rampant and costly books are kept and mostly for the researchers. It is
headed by Mrs Cordelia Obalum.
vi SERIAL SECTION: It is were magazine’s newspapers journals and
gaxettes are kept in the library. It is headed by Mr. Fidelis Okoye.
STATEMENT OF THE
PROBLEM
The problem of
preservation of library materials is not a recent phenomenon. It has been with
us since books wer invented and libraries were first established this issue of
preservation of materials. This harm could be caused by both drawmtic and quiet
enemies ofbooks like damp, air pollution, insects, radants etc do silent damage
ot books. Alsso rough handling of books can be a problem library users can at
times flare some pages of library books due to mistanding.
Even films, film strips
and scides may break and equie spacing due to rough handling.
Other
various function causing deterioration include atmosphere factors like
poluctants, humidity that is height and biological factors like fungi bacteria,
insects man also by accident or intentionally vandalize library materials,
mechanical failure of control system like air conditioner and natural disaster like
flood, earth quake fire and wars.
Therefore,
these certain prlems which this study will solve are as follows:
a What
constitutes library material to be preserved
b What
are the causes of paper deterioration?
c How
ot preserve library materials from insects and animals.
d What are the effect of natural and
artificial phenomena f library materials?
e Is preservation against human being,
pest and fungi necessary in the library.
f Why is preservation necessary in the
library ?
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
i To ascertain the various
methods in which library materials could be preserved in our public libraries.
ii To ascertain the extent of
use of the library materials.
iii To provide a comprehensive
treatment of library materials.
iv To make recommendations based of the
findings the study.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This project does not intend to acomplete work on
the preservation of library materials but centered on the Kenneth Dike e- library
and also to study the causes and effect of paper deterioration.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This investigation will
study the causes of library material deterioration in tenneth Dike e- library.
This study became necessary in a public library due to the poor economic
situation in the country. Not all indicudual can afford to buy textbooks and
other education materials for their children in this case, the children and
adult will be making use of the library whose material are well preserved.
Therefore, this
research work will provide enough insiht or opportunity to institution of
higher. ******* public sakoor even private libraries which may find this
research project useful as it will further enhance their techniques in the
prevation of library material.
1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
i To what extent in which
library materials could e preserved in
our public libraries?
ii What are the use library
materials?
iii To what extent provide
comprehensive treatment of the library materials?
iv What are the recommendation
based of the finding?
DEFINITION OF TERMS
a Fumigation: To clear sisese, bacteria, insects etc. from some where
using chemicalal, metre or gas
b Deterioration: Worsening the quality of a paper as a result of a
very hot or chalp climate.
c Foxing: Brownish stain
always found on paper
d Microfilman: this is the process of recording information in a
miniaturized form.
e Collection: A method of
colleting information used in research work.
f Countingency program: A plan made in order to deal with problem
that might happen in the future
g Deacidificaiton It is the process by which solution is added into
acid to neutralize it.
h Deretrerious: Harmful and damaging.