Change Management in Academic Libraries: A Case Study of the Technical University of Kenya Library, Nairobi County
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Date
2019-04
Authors
Makanga, Jason
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to find out how the library leadership has initiated and
managed change at The Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi in order to meet the
expectations of diverse categories of users and get support from the parent organization
and donors. The study was guided by the following objectives: To identify the change
management programs at the Technical University of Kenya Library, to identify the role
of the University Librarian in change management, to establish both the driving and
inhibiting forces for and against change, to determine the strategies and processes
adopted by the University Librarian in managing change. The study was guided by Kurt
Lewin’s theory of change management and adopted the case study research design. The
target population for this study was thirty (30) staff members from the subject university
excluding and subordinate staff. Systematic random sampling was used to obtain a
sample size of 28 respondents. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used as data
collection instruments. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of the
Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The interview schedules were decoded
and explained in prose. The study’s key finding was that; TUK Library leadership was
committed to change, had developed a library strategic plan and involved library staff in
change management program for successful results. The study further established that
developments in information technology with mean 3.35, the changing economy,
changing educational and learning environment and changes in scholarly communication
with a mean of 3.10, 3.05 and 3.0 respectively influenced change (forces for change) at
TUK library. Change from USC of Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) to Library of
Congress Classification (LCC) and the implementation of KOHA library management
system were the major change programs implemented by TUK library, while staff
training and capacity development as the least change programs initiated. The research
recommends staff training program, succession plan, provision of modern facilities and
further study on change management strategies. The study findings will inform the TUK
library and other academic libraries in policy formulation, contribute to the body of
knowledge in schools of information science.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Award of the Degree of Master of Library and Information Science in the Department of Library and Information Science, School Of Educaton, Kenyatta University April, 2019