RP-Department of Library and Information Science

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https://repository.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1403

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Browsing RP-Department of Library and Information Science by Subject "Academic libraries"

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    Contemporary Academic Library Users in Kenya: Their Needs And Preferences in Access and Use of Information Resources
    (Emerald Publishing, 2020) Ombogo, Tandy M.; Namande, Ben W.
    Purpose – The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of generations on information behavior and needs to access and use of library resources and how well academic libraries in Kenya are simultaneously serving both generations. From literature reviewed, a study on the Kenyan scenario on generational behavior and needs was not identified and this study sought to fill that gap. Design/methodology/approach – Data collected were done through mixed-methods research using observation, structured interviews and questionnaires. The sample included 143 students and faculty within different generations, and three library staffs at The United States International University-Africa’s Library. Quantitative data were analyzed through SPSS and Excel, while qualitative data were analyzed according to the theme of this study. Likert-scale responses were used to measure information behavior of users’ needs and preferences. Findings – Findings showed that the library is serving two distinct generations with different needs: out of a mean score of 5.00 of sample surveyed; digital immigrants need information resources mainly for research at an aggregate 3.93 while digital natives need information resources mainly for examinations at an aggregate 4.01. Both generations need to use technology to access and use information resources at 94% of digital immigrants and an aggregate 81.5% of digital natives surveyed. The library is training both user groups accordingly. This answered the research problem this study sought to assess. Research limitations/implications – The generation of users was known only after administering the questionnaires. Consequently, the researcher targeted them using the status of respondents, faculty or student, to maximize sampling for each generation. Undergraduate and master’s students were used to target digital natives, while the faculty was used to target digital immigrants. PhD students were used to target both digital immigrants and digital natives. This study was done only in one location, USIU-Africa’s Library. Originality/value – This study assessed how different generations within academic libraries in Kenya could be guided to effectively and efficiently adapt to global changes. This study assessed generational influence on needs and preferences in access and use of information resources, and assessed how academic libraries are concurrently and successfully serving variant user needs in Kenya,
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    Preparedness towards adoption of cloud computing technologies by academic libraries in Kenya
    (International Journal of Research in Library Science, 2020) Maina, Paul Kibet; Muthee, Daniel Wambiri
    In many developing countries including Kenya, there is a great challenge determining the preparedness of libraries towards the adoption of cloud computing technologies. Paucity of resources and Information technology capabilities, lack of manpower, inadequate skills, inadequate infrastructure, and inadequate power supply have been identified as key impediments to institutions towards successful adoption of cloud computing. Despite the benefits of cloud computing technologies, education sector has not fully implemented this emerging technology. The objective of this study was to assess the preparedness of academic libraries towards of adoption of cloud computing technologies so that academic libraries can have clear path on how to prepare and measures to put towards cloud computing adoption. The study was undertaken at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology library, Kiambu County, Kenya where 40 librarians were involved in the study. Random sampling procedure was used to select the sample population. The study used descriptive study design to carry out research. The results from the study showed that the library was experiencing shortage in infrastructure due to low student to computer ration, low bandwidth, only one OPAC point and centralized servers. Most library staff posed basic ICT skills with just few staff being experts in areas where cloud computing skills are required. The study recommends that the government and the university should concentrate on ways of making cloud computing affordable by budgeting more funds to improve the ICT infrastructure in the library. The library should concentrate on impacting the library with skills; invest more to improve the ICT infrastructure in the library