An investigation of factors influencing utilization of library resources and services by undergraduate students with particular reference to Kenyatta university

Abstract

A library in a University is the central organ that provides the necessary resources and services for teaching, learning and research. Yet it is not automatic that one resources and services are offered, they will be used. This is because there are factors that influence the utilization of the resources and services offered in a university library. This study is investigation of factors influencing utilization of library resources and services by undergraduate students with particular reference to Kenyatta University Library

The underlying theoretical assumptions is that the degree of utilization of library resources and services by undergraduate students is due to a number of interrelated factors within and outside the University environment that the library and university are part of.

To establish whether this is so, questionnaires to elicit information on such issues as to whether the undergraduate students find any relationship between previous use of libraries and the current use of university library, relationship between undergraduate students awareness and quality of resources and services and utilization and the reason for undergraduate students use of the library were given to the academic and library staff and undergraduate students in Kenyatta University.

This study is presented in five chapters. Chapter 1 gives relevant background information on Kenyatta University and the Library; Chapter 2 is on review of related literature. Chapter 3 outlines the methodology of the study. Chapter 4 is devoted to data presentation, analysis and discussion. Chapter 5 gives a summary of the findings and recommendations.

This study has brought out the fact that utilization of library resources and services is indeed influenced by certain factors within and outside the university.