Challenges Experienced By Graduate Students in the Search for Information in Academic Libraries: A Case of Kenyatta University Post Modern Library, Kenya

Abstract

Past studies done on library graduate user needs have revealed that although graduate students are assumed to know how to utilize library resources this is usually not the case as results have shown that, they are faced with enormous challenges in information seeking. It is through such studies that gaps are identified and filled in the libraries. This study was carried out in Kenyatta University Postmodern library. The purpose of this study was to find out what the information needs of the graduate users are and how these needs are met at the Postmodern Library. Descriptive survey research was used. Data was collected using questionnaires for the graduate and analyzed using SPSS version 20 for window. The study established that graduate library users were generally satisfied with the postmodern Library resources and services. Although library books were found to be outdated in some areas majority of the respondents indicated that they were satisfied with both the print and electronic information materials. However there were areas which were found to be quite wanting in one way or the other and which caused some level of dissatisfaction. These included insufficient electronic databases, inadequate information seeking behavior, outdated books, insufficient time, insufficient computer terminal, slow connectivity etc. The study recommended various practical steps to satisfy their clients' needs. These were Proper user training programmes, regular evaluation of library services to the graduate users and better library practices.