Marketing Library Services for Information Utilization: A Comparative Study of Kenya Medical Training College and Kenya National Library Services, Kakamega County
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Date
2023-04
Authors
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Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Libraries that aid teaching, learning and research functions of their organizations are known
as
academic libraries. Such libraries are found in universities, and middle level colleges
which include Kenya Medical Training Colleges (KMTC). Public libraries such as the Kenya
Natiqnal Library Services (KNLS) also support the above functions in addition to their core
functions which include Preservation and conservation of national imprint for reference and
giving the public opportunities to enhance their reading and information seeking habits. This
§tudy compared marketing library services for information utilization at KMTC and KNLS
in Kakamega County. The following objectives guided this study: Comparing strategies used
for marketing library services in KMTC and KNLS for information utilization; Determining
the users’ levels of awareness about library and information services in the libraries they use;
Comparing the extent to which information services are utilized and challenges of marketing
library resources in KMTC and KNLS in Kakamega County. This study relied on the SWOT
Model. It used a descriptive survey research design; the study population consisted of KMTC
and
KNLS libraries in Kakamega County. The population was stratified into KMTC
Kakamega and KNLS Kakamega. The targeted population of the study was 1738 from
KMTC and KNLS Kakamega. Out this, 700 KMTC students, 25 tutors, 1000 KNLS users
and
13
librarians. 563 was sampled out of those cadres based on Krejcie and Morgan’s
sample size determination table. Out of these,274 were from KMTC and 289 from KNLS.
Data collection was done by use of Questionnaires and interview schedules. Quantitative
data was analyzed using both descriptive and Chi-Square statistical test with the help of the
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 for windows. All statistical
measurements were performed within 95% confidence interval. Tables and percentages were
used to present the findings of the study. The study's key finding was that, although both
libraries' librarians were informed about marketing library services, they did not actively
engage in it. The survey also showed that the KMTC library was not being used to its full
potential. The results revealed that the two libraries were usually jam-packed during
examination time. The study recommended that in order to improve utilization of library
services, the managers of the two libraries need to make marketing a mandatory exercise and
support librarians in terms of training in marketing so as to serve and provide satisfactory
services to satisfy the clients® information needs. It is also recommended that KMTC
librarians should be proactive and negotiate with management for more space, staff and
information resources.
Description
Project Report Submitted in Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Award of Degree of Master of Library and Information Science, Department of Library and Information Science, School of Education & Lifelong Learning, Kenyatta University. April 2023