Title: Challenges of Preservation of Libraries Information Resources: A Review of the Roles of Librarians and Information Professionals
Author(s): Ya’u Abubakar S. Gabas, Isa Musa Gumel and Aminu Garba
Publication Year: 2023; Volume 18, Issue 3, pages 96-103

This study assesses preservation challenges across information formats while evaluating librarians and archivists evolving professional obligations to mitigate deterioration through sustainable conservation governance. Extensive literature review identifies common risks and best practices for preserving print materials audiovisual media microfilm and digital records based on current scholarship. A subsequent content analysis of preservation policy documents systematically determines frequencies of coded concepts including causes of degradation treatment types barriers to conservation and recommended or implemented responsibilities across library staff roles. Content analysis revealed preservation frequently suffers from diffuse ad hoc efforts rather than centralized review. A key trend shows emerging assignments for specially trained preservation administrators to formally coordinate assessment workflows access balancing per factors like rarity guidance on handling unique materials rally financial support quality control digitization and facilitate regular condition rechecks suitable to each formats longevity. Preservations multidisciplinary demands increasingly call for dedicated administrative leaders capable of strategically marshaling technological financial and staffing resources to counter deterioration issues identified through routine collection analysis. Libraries should prioritize hiring specialist preservation managers or expanding existing roles. Masters education should offer explicit preservation courses while postgraduate certification denotes conservation competencies. Librarians can collectively advance standards through professional associations.