Mutilation of library materials and its impact on teaching, learning and research in selected academic libraries in Tanzania

The broad objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude of mutilations in academic libraries in Tanzania and its impact on teaching, learning and research with specific reference to the Universities of Dar es Salaam and Sokoine. Specific objectives were to identify causes of mutilation, types of highly mutilated materials and how this impacts teaching, learning and research. Lastly to recommend measures that would prevent library mutilations. Methodologically, this was a qualitative study. Data for this study were collected using a combination of techniques namely~ observations, face-to-face interviews and using a questionnaire with open and close ended questions. One hundred and ten respondents participated in this study. These were drawn from library students, academic staff and library staff. Key findings revealed that mutilations in the University of Dar es Salaam and Sokoine libraries are on an increase and that they impact negatively on the quality of services. Mutilations were attributed to several factors including scarcity of library materials, high cost of learning materials, selfishness, expanded student enrolment, high cost of photocopying, financial constraints and weak security. Findings also revealed that the most vulnerable materials to mutilation are books on high demand (66.4%) followed by newspapers (34.5%) periodicals (20%) and pamphlets (16.4%). Library mutilation is costly not only in monetary sense but in intellectual sense. A mutilation of library materials has negative impact on teaching and learning and threatens the quality education and intellectual capability of library users. Based on the findings, it is recommended that all libraries should strengthen and enforce rules and regulations, better protection policies and procedures, training and user educations as well as provision of computers with electronic and internet services in order to check mutilation.