Guidelines for preservation and conservation of library materials at Caltec Academy Library (CAL)

Abstract

The study was carried out on preservation and conservation of library materials at Caltec Academy library located on Makerere Hill, West of Makerere University campus, P. O Box 30921. The specific objectives were; to establish the current status of preservation and conservation of library materials at Caltec Academy Library, to find out how preservation and conservation of library materials at Caltec Academy Library is managed, to identify the challenges of preservation and conservation of library materials at Caltec Academy Library and to propose the best guidelines for preservation and conservation of library materials at Caltec Academy Library. The collection tools included interviews and observation check list, the study included the 4 librarians who were purposely selected. The summery of the findings included; Current status of Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials at Caltec Academy Library included school library space where the researcher observed library space of Caltec Academy Library, the library had limited space compared to the available library materials especially the text books of different subjects. The types of library materials at Caltec Academy Library used to improve students learning process such as; text books, dictionaries, newspapers, these reading materials are the main reasons why school library users were visiting the school library. The challenges of Preservation and Conservation of Library Materials at Caltec Academy Library which included; less operating hours at the Caltec Academy Library, violation of rules and regulation governing Caltec Academy Library access, affected by environmental conditions, lack of interceptive Conservation and deterioration of Caltec Academy Library materials

In conclusion therefore, this study revealed that preservation and conservation helps to increase the durability of materials since they are required for reference and use for a long time. To prolong the life of library materials, preservation and conservation practices and strategies must be adopted and incorporated into the library management system and practices. Practices such as digitization, cleaning, dusting, proper handling, proper shelving, adequate ventilation and migration should be adopted and practiced efficiently. Management and staff of Caltec Academy Library need to collectively adhere to preservation and conservation guidelines and principles and provide all the support needed. It was recommended to Increasing operation hours at the Caltec Academy Library, observing rules and regulation governing library material access, cconsidering environmental conditions, interceptive Conservation must be implemented, setting up of clear policies, improved Caltec Academy Library material management, measures to reduce loss of Caltec Academy Library materials, implementation of library recovery plan and Restricted access to library.