A Survey of Preservation and Conservation Practices and Techniques used by the Public Sector University Libraries in Karachi, Pakistan.

Abstract

This study investigated the various techniques used in the preservation and conservation of library materials in selected public sector university libraries of Karachi, Pakistan. Particularly, it examined the strategies used in process of preservation and conservation, the policies provides guidelines to achieve preservation goals, constraints limiting effective preservation and conservation. The survey method was used to conduct this study and a structured questionnaire was used for data collection.
The study revealed that barriers to effective preservation of library materials in public sector university libraries in Karachi are significantly high. The study also revealed that there is nonexistence of conservation and preservation skill development programs for the library staff. It is also find out that binding of books is a common technique that is commonly used in all selected libraries on regular basis to prevent the library materials from damages and make them long life for the library users. The study also revealed that the dusts and particulate matters are the big sign of deterioration in all the selected public sector university libraries.
Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that libraries should recruit adequate and trained manpower in the libraries for effective preservation and conservation practices. University libraries should consider various methods that could be applied to reduce degradation of library material in their holding and the university should allocate adequate annual budget for preservation and conservation in public university libraries in Karachi.