Assessing Information Needs of Final Year Diploma Students at Kitale Polytechnic Library, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Museve, Ambrose Nayombe
Namande, Ben
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJCAB Publishing Group
Abstract
This study assessed information needs of final year diploma students and the aspects explored
were the adequacy, relevance, access and challenges faced in the use of the information
resources. The study was limited to Kitale polytechnic library and the focus was the information
that students seek to satisfy their information needs. The theory adopted for this study was the
Principle of Least Effort that was developed by George Kengsley and explored in a study of
library use of graduate students by Zao Lang.A descriptive research design was adopted to
describe the level of students’ information needs and use of the library. Qualitative method was
used to collect textual data and quantitative method was used to collect numerical data. The
target population of 426 library staff members and final year diploma students based on the
polytechnic management records was purposively sampled for study. A sample size of 68
participants was selected for study. The main data collection tools were a structured
questionnaire and an interview schedule which targeted students and key informants (library
staff) respectively. Validity was sought by use of expert knowledge in the field of information
science to ascertain accuracy of the research instruments and the split half method was used to
achieve reliability of the instruments and information collected. Qualitative data was analyzed
thematically while quantitative data was analyzed to generate percentages, frequency
distribution tables and charts. The results established that majority of students need information
for academic purposes while others use it for other information related requirements. The study
also revealed that the library collection does not adequately cater for the information needs of
students and it was further established that most of the library information resources are rarely
relevant to students’ information needs. The study concludes that most polytechnics are not keen
on issues related to limited resources, staffing and the quality of information resources and
services which negatively affect students in the library. The study recommended that polytechnic
policy developers should formulate library policies that are not only academically inclined but
also aimed at promoting other information related purposes. The study also recommended that
the Institutional management should increase library allocation of resources to ensure improved
equipping of a balanced library collection that addresses the diverse information needs of
students. The study further recommended that polytechnic library management should enhance
its acquisition policy to help acquire information resources from publishers that are more
relevant to students’ education and courses of study. The study should be useful to TVET
department of the Ministry of Education in their quality assurance programs to formulate
policies for polytechnics that maintain high standards of libraries and quality information
services for students.
Description
An Article Published in International Journal of Current Aspects
Keywords
Students’ information needs, Adequacy of library collection to meet students’ information needs, Relevance of library resources, Challenges in meeting students’ information needs
Citation
Museve, A., & Namande, B. (2020). Assessing Information Needs of Final Year Diploma Students at Kitale Polytechnic Library, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. International Journal of Current Aspects, 4(2), 33-44. https://doi.org/10.35942/ijcab.v4i2.125