Preservation Practices for Information Resources in Public University Libraries in Tanzania

Abstract

Abstract The present study examined the preservation practices for information resources in seven public university libraries in Tanzania. Convenient and purposive sampling techniques were used to recruit library staff and library directors respectively to participate in the study. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data obtained from the questionnaires were analysed using the Statistical Product and Service Solution (version 20) software while the qualitative data from the interviews were analysed using the thematic data analysis method. Regarding the effective preservation approaches for information resources, the study established that binding, digitization, migration, and emergency preparedness plans were highly cited. The following were the recommended preservation approaches for adoption in public university libraries: digitization, refreshing, proper shelving, and cleanliness of all library areas, migration, technology preservation, and binding. From the findings, it was concluded that public university libraries have a variety of preservation approaches for both print and digital information resources. The study recommends that policymakers and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology should train librarians in skills that they can apply in preserving information resources using modern technologies.