Perceptions and Attitude of Students in Relation to Vandalism in University Libraries in South-South Zone of Nigeria

Review Of The Literature

Various writers have expressed their view on what contributes to the cause of different forms of abuse in the library. However, many researchers bases their argument on economic depress and security as the main cause of abuse of library materials. These include Ajegbomogun (2004), Agboola (2001), Afolabi (1993), Akinfolarin (1992), and Bello (1997) among others. Others authors reveal that theft is motivated by societal problems. Verner (1983) listed a series of factors that contribute to library malpractices which include in adequate services staff at night and during the weekends, lack of multiple copies of library materials in high demand and inadequate photocopying facilities. Any shift from this, may cause a negative impact on users’ disposition to library materials. According to Goldstein (1996) identified three central concepts of vandalism: Intentionality, destructiveness and property ownership. Therefore, Vandalism is intentional act of destruction or defacement of property not one’s own.

Goldstein (1996), Cohen (1989), Lincolin (1996), and Cornog and Perper (1996) recognized six categories of Vandalism, many of which are common in libraries which include: