Security Challenges and Control Measure in Four Academic Libraries in North East Nigeria University Libraries

This paper examines the security challenges and control measure in four (4) academic libraries in North East Nigeria University libraries. Four universities libraries in North East Nigeria were used as case studies. The respondents constitutes librarians, library officers and library assistants drawn from the four institutions. The aim of the study was to identify the causes of book thefts and mutilation in university libraries and how to curb and preserve the continuous use of these information resources in the library. Survey research method was employed. Questionnaires are the main instrument for data collection. Frequency, tables, percentages is the main statistical tools used for data analysis. Results from the study revealed that absence of the use of technology in securing the safety of library materials were not found in some of the surveyed libraries. However finding revealed that both print and electronic materials are targets of crime in libraries, with non-return of library materials, theft and mutilation constituting serious security challenges in these libraries. It was also discovered that various methods were adopted for stealing and mutilation of library materials which include: tearing book page(s) off, removing the jacket cover, and hiding of books under their clothes and in pockets. Some recommendations were proffered to eradicate theft and mutilation in university libraries. Some of those recommendations are: those university libraries should provide photocopying service to enable the library users to photocopy books that are few in the library. The study also recommends that university management should provide adequate library materials to meet the information needs of their users