Book Theft as a Factor Affecting Lending Services to Students in Two State University Libraries in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed at investigating book theft as a factor affecting lending services to students in two state university libraries BSUM and IBBUL in North-Central Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: It adopted a descriptive survey design.26,460 undergraduate students and 22 academic librarians from the two state universities formed the target population. A stratified sampling technique was used to sample 300 undergraduate students and 22 academic librarians from the two studied universities. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of percentages as well as mean and standard deviation frequency. Findings: The findings of the study revealed that the effect of book theft on lending services is on the increase and that the ways by which library materials are stolen have a negative effect on lending services. Implication: The increase in book theft in the libraries will negate efforts of lending services and invariably diminish the rate of learning of the students with consequent poor scholarly productivity. Originality: Once these issues are adequately addressed, it is expected that there will be a tremendous improvement on lending services to student in two state university libraries in North-Central Nigeria