Abstract
This study investigated the digital competencies among librarians for preservation
practices in university libraries. This study adopts the descriptive research design. The
population comprised 10, 210 professional librarians in Nigeria. Three zone were
randomly selected: South-South, South-East and North-Central. From the 3 zones, three
states chapter of Nigerian library association were selected using simple ransom
sampling techniques: Akwa Ibom, Anambra and Abuja. Thereafter, 20 Librarians
working in the various universities from each of the 3 states chapters of the Nigerian
library association were purposively selected making a sample of 60 professional
librarians. The instrument was validated by 3 experts. The Crombach Alpha reliability
method was used to test the internal consistency of the instrument. A reliability
coefficient of 0.81 was gotten. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of
mean scores and standard deviation. The study found that Nigerian university librarians
predominantly recognize competencies including competence in checksum verification
and integrity checking tools for digital preservation practices. The university
preservation librarians exhibit generally low competency levels across essential digital
preservation skills, with particular weaknesses in software proficiency, and integrity
verification. Nigerian university librarians face substantial barriers primarily from
funding shortages, poor infrastructure, management priorities, and mentorship gaps.
The Nigerian university librarians overwhelmingly favor curriculum reform, hands -on
training, mentorship, and international partnerships as primary strategies to bridge
digital preservation competency gaps.
Keywords: Digital preservation, Preservation competencies, preservation practices,
University librarians, Nigerian libraries
Publication Date: 2026-02-05