Determinants of use of informal settlement community libraries by children in selected informal settlements in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Date
2018-07
Authors
Kibugi, Sarah W.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
The existence of libraries in Africa goes back to the colonial period. A number
of African nations have legislated the establishment of national libraries
through Acts of parliaments. From such legislation, the Kenya National
Library Services (KNLS) was established by an Act of parliament in 1967,
with a mandate to establish libraries in the country (Mulindwa, 2010). Due to
lack of capacity, such libraries have done little to establish community libraries
in the slums of Kenya, and the few ones that the donors have established have
not succeeded in encouraging their use due to such factors as lack of funds to
stock a variety of resources required by children. This study sought to find out
the determinants of use among the children in middle childhood in informal
settlements in Nairobi. Specifically, the study sought to find out how
geographical location, services and activities, resources available in the library
and children’s perception about the library affect its use. The study was based
on the theory of acceptance and use of technology. The study adopted
correlational research design. The study was carried out in selected informal
settlements community libraries in Nairobi. It covered six selected community
libraries in the following informal settlements of Nairobi: Mathare North,
Mathare 4A, Mradi Mathare, Mathare 2A, Korogocho, and Mukuru Kwa
Njenga. The participants were selected through simple random sampling. The
study covered 360 children, 36 Teachers and 18 library staff who were
interviewed. Collected data was coded, classified and tabulated to facilitate
analysis. SPSS was used to generate descriptive and inferential statistics.
Descriptive statistics from the children, library staff and teachers produced
results on means and frequencies of responses. Qualitative data gathered from
open ended questions were contently analysed to provide results. Multiple
linear regression was used to generate inferential statistics. From the study, it
was evident that geographical location, the services and activities offered and
the children’s perception about the library contribute significantly to the use of
the library. The study revealed that there was a positive correlation between the
independent variables (geographical location, services and activities offered,
resources available and children’s perception of the library) and the dependent
variable (library use). This means that an increase in either of the independent
variables would result to an increase in the use of the library by the children
aged six to nine in the community libraries. From the findings it was
established that the informal settlement community libraries need to improve
their services and activities in order to maintain children’s interest in using
them. The staff working in the informal settlement community libraries should
form a network in which they can share success stories to demonstrate how
their libraries serve children in middle childhood in the informal settlement
community libraries. Finally, the community libraries should also strive to
make their services and activities more attractive to children.
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment for the award of the degree of doctor of philosophy (phd) library and information science in the school of education Kenyatta University. July, 2018