Availability and Utilization of Electronic Security System Among University Libraries in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined availability and utilization of electronic security system among university libraries in Rivers State Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised of 187 Staff in all the University libraries in Rivers State, Nigeria. Observation checklist and questionnaire were used for data collection. The overall reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was found to be 0.86 which was high enough for the study. The data collected were organized and presented in a frequency distribution table, while mean, standard deviation as well as percentage was used to analyze the data. The study revealed that, the electronic security system available in the university libraries studied in Rivers state Nigeria were Close Circuit Television (CCTV), Mobile phones, Library oriented software and Fire Alarm System. The extent of utilization of electronic security system is very low. The major challenges identified are inadequate funding to support the electronic security systems, lack of university management attention on the security needs, erratic electric power supply, and inadequate technical skills to operate electronic security system by librarians. The study recommended that, university management should provide adequate fund for the acquisition and installation of electronic security system for libraries and that staff should be trained and retrained for effective utilization of electronic security systems.