MST-Department of Library and Information Science

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Browsing MST-Department of Library and Information Science by Author "Ilavonga, Joshua Wangila"

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    Enhancing Performance of Class Eight Pupils through Information Centers: A Case of Kimilili Community Library, Bungoma County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2024-07) Ilavonga, Joshua Wangila
    Information centers play a crucial role in ensuring that the community has access to the right information to suit its various information needs and this has been evidenced by several research carried out on information centers. The rolling out of Free Primary Education (FPE) in Kenya, January 2003 led to a significant increase in primary school enrollment. This exerted pressure on school facilities including information resources and also created new challenges in the education sector in terms of information material access and sharing. Information centers can therefore be used to supplement what the schools have to ease this pressure. This study aimed at establish how easily accessible and how frequently class eight students use information centers, with a focus on the Kimilili Community Library (KCL) in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study goal was to assess the services provided by information centers, including the kinds of information resources available, the policies and guidelines available, and the challenges encountered. The study was anchored on S. R. Ranganathan's laws of library science and Cognitive development theory of Piaget (1932). The study used descriptive research design and data was collected through questionnaires and interview schedules. All the (840) pupils registered as library users, 2 librarians, 2 officials from the ministry of education made up the target population. The sample size comprised of 84 pupils, 2 librarians, and 2 ministry of education officers selected using purposeful sampling. Quantitative data was gathered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 of 2021 guided by the study objectives. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Data was presented using pie charts, tables and graphs. The study found that respondents appreciated library services and resources and pupils felt that their information needs were met thus greatly contributing to their academic performance. However, a number of challenges are experienced including inadequate books and space. It is recommended that more research be done to determine how well equipped community libraries are to support competency-based curriculum.