ELECTRONIC SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES ISSUES AND CHALLENGES Section Articles

Abstract

This study investigated the issues and challenges of Electronic Security Management (ESM)

in Libraries and Information Centres. It is a systematic review of literatures from Nigerian

scene and global perspectives. The objectives included discussions on the conceptions of

electronic security management and its rationale, types of Electronic Security Systems (ESSs)

used in libraries and information centres and analysis of the various issues and challenges of

ESM in library and information centres. Top management commitment and support,

entrenching a security conscious culture, ESM policy, good governance and personnel

management issues were highlighted. It was therefore concluded that ESM helps reduce or

eliminate security risks against library resources, systems, facilities and equipment as well as

safeguard the library staff and users respectively. Also, it is recommended among others that

librarians should acquire lobbying and negotiation skills in order to assist them in community

engagement and advocacy with their top management team and other donor agencies. These

and many other skills are useful in seeking for funding or any support for the library.