Management of information literacy programmes in selected technical training institution libraries in Nairobi County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2024-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Information literacy (IL) skills are crucial for navigating the ever-changing social and economic phenomena of the world. These skills give information users the ability to critically deliberate and make informed decisions concerning the information they find and utilize. At the moment, information literacy is among the most valuable and relevant services within learning institutions, the job market, and the world. This calls for an increased demand for information literacy programmes. Yet, technical institutions are facing various setbacks in managing these programmes to ensure they are effective and efficient in their roles. This study, therefore, sought to determine the management of information literacy programmes in selected technical institution libraries in Nairobi County. The aim of the study was to establish the implementation strategies for information literacy programmes, and the frequency at which they were reviewed, to determine the users’ perceptions of the implemented information literacy programmes, and to identify the major setbacks to the implementation of information literacy programmes in selected technical training institution libraries in Nairobi County. The Information Search Process (ISP) paradigm served as the study's direction. This research study adopted a descriptive statistical method. Krejcie and Morgan sampling method was applied in coming up with the total sample size. A total of 500 respondents, comprising 5 head librarians, 278 teaching staff, and 217 students from five of the selected technical training institutions, constituted the subjects for this study. Questionnaires and the interview schedule were used for data collection from the respondents. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used to descriptively examine the data from the questionnaires that constituted statements written on the basis of a 1-5 Likert scale to measure different aspects of information literacy programmes (ILPs). The thematic analysis assessed qualitative data, which was then presented through written narratives. Quantitative data was represented in figures and tables. The reliability and validity of the instruments were tested through a pilot study that was conducted at Nakuru Training Institute (NTI) and the university supervisor assisted in properly framing questions and realigning them according to the objectives of the study and refinement of the instruments to eliminate ambiguities. A sample size of 50 respondents was used in the pilot study. The study established that technical institutional libraries were implementing various forms of strategies for IL; the IL programmes were reviewed after every orientation process; important skills were acquired by library patrons during IL training; and the library was facing a number of challenges as it implemented ILPs. The study concluded that technical institution libraries have instituted several programs that are currently running; the ILPs are reviewed after every orientation process using a feedback form; and information literacy is a good way of creating awareness of the library resources and services. The study recommended that the libraries need to identify various information literacy programmes that can work for them and customize them according to their environment; the ILPs needed to change with the changing times and needs of users; the libraries needed to focus more on the users than on the service when implementing ILPs; and that stakeholders’ collaboration is required if the ILPs are to be effectively implemented
Description
A research project submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the award of masters of library and information science degree in the school of pure and applied sciences of Kenyatta university, May 2024
Supervisor: Martin Gichugu