Preservation Problems of Library Materials in Kenya, With Special Reference to the University of Nairobi Library

Abstract

The' ability to produce useful graduates depends not only on well equipped facilities and proper selection of students, but also on providing for all members of the University community, direct access to recorded knowledge, which the society has collected through many years of experience. The library thus is the best University agency for collecting and organizing knowledge for effective physical facilities to encourage it. Since libraries are growing organisms, a true University library should therefore exist to conserve, interpret and advance knowledge. The study has been carried out mainly through library research, visits, interviews and observations, thus basically a descriptive one. This study is not an exhaustive one due to the limitation of tin:e and money. It is, however, a humble contribution to the literature of the University of Nairobi library and a first step towards further studies in this area. The establishment of functional preservation programmes for efficient management of (information) resource centres continues to receive increased accep~ance among information professionals all over the world. This project reviews the current general situation in the library and gives some recommendations on steps to be taken.in order to establish viable functional preservation programmes in. the library. The project also is a study for the preservation of library materials in Kenya.