THE EFFECT OF SELF-REGULATED AND SECURITY IN A UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT: A CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA.

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This paper showcased the effect of self-regulatory libraries and security in an university library environment: A case of the university libraries in south-South Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach- The paper adopted the descriptive survey design and a census technique was also adopted to select 301 academic librarians in all the university libraries in south-South Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was distributed, in which only 251 was successfully retrieved and these were used for data analysis. Personal belongings, reporting suspicious activities, compliance with university library policies and emergency preparedness were discussed as factors that regulate and secure university libraries environment in south South Nigeria. Findings- The study reported that the respondents strongly agreed to all the items listed under personal belongings, the respondents also strongly agreed to all the items listed under reporting of suspicious activities to appropriate authorities in the library. Compliance to library policies and emergency preparedness were also further strongly agreed on. The study further reported that the formulated null hypothesis of no significance difference on the mean rating of compliance to library policies and emergency preparedness was upheld. Practical implicationsThis paper addressed the effect of self-regulated and securing of the university library
environment in South South Nigeria. It reveals the various strategies such as securing of personal
belongings, paying attention suspicious activities by library users, complying with stipulated library policies and the emergency preparedness the library management need to put in place to have a balanced university library environment, for a conducive library atmosphere to users. Originality – The study showcase the effect of self-regulatory and securing of the university library environment in south-south Nigeria.