Preservation Risk Assessment Survey of the University of Botswana Library

Abstract

Libraries and archives are tasked with the responsibility of providing access of information to the public and stakeholders in the present and future years to come. This can be achieved through various strategies which fall in the realm of preservation management. Among others, these include adapting to risk management approaches. In that regard, towards the beginning of the year 2013 the University of Botswana Library Conservator was tasked with the responsibility to conduct a preservation risk assessment in order to address deterioration issues of collections in the university library. This article sought to report the findings on the preservation risk assessment and recommendations on the strategy for improvement. Data for the risk assessment was collected using a structured preservation assessment survey. Findings of the assessment indicated that while most challenges in preservation included shortage of finance, shortage of staff and equipment, most risks observed were due to unavailability of guidelines and policies. These risks were classified as risks influenced by operational and reputational procedures.