EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON INFORMATION RESOURCES IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY LOKOJA AND PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY IN KOGI STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Climate change poses significant threats to academic libraries, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study investigates the impact of climate change on information resources in university libraries in Kogi State, Nigeria. The research aims to assess librarians' knowledge of climate change effects on library resources and identify strategies for mitigating these impacts. A descriptive survey approach was employed, targeting 100 library staff Voluntary Response Sampling technique was used to collect data through questionnaires (n=75) and observation checklists. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The findings reveal that the majority of librarians are aware of climate change issues, including relative humidity (66.6%), air pollution (93.3%), temperature (100%), and light (77.3%). The study identifies problems and strategies for addressing the impacts of climate change on library resources. This study provides critical insights for developing sustainable strategies in academic libraries, underscoring the imperative for librarians to proactively address climate change through mitigation and adaptation measures. To foster resilience, we
recommend that library staff engage in targeted training and workshops on climate change impacts, and that institutions prioritize the implementation of Green Library initiatives and regular library building maintenance, ultimately ensuring the long-term
sustainability of library resources and services.