Preservation of Digital Contents in Ensuring Future Access to Institutional Repository Data: A Case of Kaimosi Friends University Library, Vihiga County, Kenya
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Date
2025-10
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The current academic and scholarly research work is increasingly leading to digital output and it is incumbent upon institutions to establish ways for creating, collecting, managing and preserving these digital assets for future access in IRs. Future access to digital content can only be realized when the content is preserved appropriately to the recommended standards based on the technological developments. This work sought to investigate preservation of digital contents in IRs vis-a-vis future access to this content. Study objectives were to investigate existing preservation policy framework for preservation of digital content in IR in Kaimosi Friends University; to determine the digital preservation strategies implemented for IR in Kaimosi Friends University; to establish the support of University Management Board for preservation of digital content in IR in Kaimosi Friends University and to establish challenges encountered in preservation of digital content in IR in Kaimosi Friends University. Scholarly focus was grounded in chain of preservation model. Descriptive research design was employed. The research encompassed a comprehensive survey of the 46 members of the library staff, including the chief librarian. The data collection instruments employed included an interview schedule and a questionnaire. A preliminary survey was initiated at Kibabii University Library. The instrument underwent validation via scrutiny by authorities in the domain of information science. Test-retest technique was employed to evaluate instrument reliability. Analysis of data was conducted utilizing SPSS, with the findings meticulously presented through tables and figures. It was established that the institution had a digital preservation policy but was neither published in IR website nor in the DOAR and its annual review and audit wasn’t being done as envisaged in the policy. The notable strategies for digital preservation implemented in the IR included the preservation of backup technologies and the migration of information. Participants indicated that the university administration demonstrated a commitment to digital preservation efforts, with significant backing stemming from the engagement of senior library staff in decision-making process. Implementation of digital preservation within institutional repositories is fraught with numerous challenges, including, but not limited to, financial limitations, insufficient technical expertise, and inadequate infrastructural resources. It was suggested that Kaimosi Friends University ought to disseminate the digital preservation policy on the institutional website that hosts the IR, as well as in the DOAR, and that an annual audit and review of the policy should be conducted. The research recommends that Kaimosi Friends University uphold prevalent strategies of digital preservation, specifically information migration, backup, and technology preservation. Moreover, it is advisable for the university management board to maintain the support it provides to the library, especially concerning the preservation of digital content for future accessibility. The research recommends a need for additional investigation into the digital preservation methodologies employed within institutional repositories in academic libraries. Since continued availability of IR contents hinges on the efforts dedicated to their preservation
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Fulfilment of the Award of Degree of Master of Library and Information Science in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University, October 2025.
Supervisor
1. Caroline Mutwiri