Archive Preservation and Indigenous Knowledge Access in Public Library in Benue State, Nigeria

This study examines the preservation and accessibility of indigenous knowledge in public libraries in Benue State, Nigeria, with a particular focus on library staff roles and responsibilities. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, targeting public library staff, including librarians, archivists, and library assistants who are involved in the management and preservation of indigenous knowledge. The study population comprised 81 public library staff members, selected using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure proportional representation across staff categories. Structured questionnaires served as the primary data collection instrument, gathering primarily quantitative data (clarify any qualitative component) on preservation practices, challenges, and access to indigenous knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), to assess preservation practices, associated challenges, and levels of accessibility of indigenous knowledge resources. The findings indicate that although some progress has been recorded in the collection and preservation of indigenous knowledge, significant challenges, such as inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, and limited access points for users, continue to constrain the effective management of indigenous knowledge. The study recommends increased funding, targeted staff training, and infrastructural improvement to enhance the preservation and accessibility of indigenous knowledge in public libraries. This study contributes to existing scholarship by providing empirical evidence on public libraries’ roles in indigenous knowledge preservation and access, while identifying operational strengths and constraints among library staff in the study area.