Breaking through barriers: Exploring the connection between crime obstructers and security of electronic information resources

Abstract

The increasing use of electronic resources in libraries has raised concerns about their security and risks of unauthorized access or criminal activity. The study explored the connection between crime obstructers and security of electronic information resources. A correlational research design was used in this investigation. The participants were 110 professional librarians from seven federal universities in Nigeria’s South South Zone. The sample consisted of 110 professional librarians from the stated universities, using the complete enumeration technique. A questionnaire was used to gather data and analyzed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at the 0.05 level of significance. The research revealed that there is a significant relationship between crime obstructers (surveillance cameras, security alarms and visible security personnel) and security of electronic information resources. This infers that surveillance cameras, security alarms and visible security personnel act as deterrents to crime in the library. The research concludes that the growing usage of electronic information resources in libraries and other information centers has raised concern about their security and potential for unauthorized access or criminal activities by users. To strengthen the reliability and integrity of electronic information resources, crime obstructers must be embraced which was clarified in this study.