Library Security, Book Theft and Mutilation: A case Study of the University Library System of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi

Abstract

The traditional printed book and j ournal are still the dominant information resources in most libraries in Ghana, although th ere is a gradual shift toward the adoption of electronic information resources by these libraries as well. Book theft and journal mutilation are age-long universal problems of libraries. However, the absence of regular stocktaking or inventory has made it very difficult to qualltify the extent of these losses suffered by libraries in Ghana through book theft alld journal mutilation. This is a survey study of the security, book theft and journal mutilation within the University Library System of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, made up of the Main Library and the Faculty Libraries. Data was obtained through the use of a questionnaire
distributed to all the affected libraries. An analysis was made to determine the answers to several questions and concerns raised. Incidences of book theft and journal mutilation and their causes in the libraries concerned were identified and discussed. The security problems faced by the libraries and the control mechanisms already in place to deal with th em were critically examined. Other preventive measures to conSiderably reduce, if not completely
elim inate the two anti-social behaviours are suggested.