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Library Staff Capacity in Handling Changing User Needs in Selected Kenyan Public Universities


Affiliations
1 St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya
2 Kenyatta University, Kenya
     

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Academic libraries are currently faced with challenges and opportunities as a result of introduction of Information Technology which has made it possible for library users to access information anywhere and anytime unlike in the past when they had to visit the library to get information for their research and assignments. Librarians can no longer ignore the convenience of the internet especially in this era where users want information fast without much effort. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to change in user needs and demands in academic libraries. Since it is an issue that librarians can no longer disregard, this study was therefore set to assess library staff capacity in meeting changing user demands in academic libraries in universities in Kenya. The study found out that library staff have the capacity to meet changing user needs however they have to improve on marketing the services they offer and library staff should keep abreast of the changes in technology and changing user needs.

Keywords

Information Technology Staff Capacity, User Needs
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  • Library Staff Capacity in Handling Changing User Needs in Selected Kenyan Public Universities

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Authors

Chantal Bunei
St. Paul’s University, Limuru, Kenya
Martin Gichugu
Kenyatta University, Kenya

Abstract


Academic libraries are currently faced with challenges and opportunities as a result of introduction of Information Technology which has made it possible for library users to access information anywhere and anytime unlike in the past when they had to visit the library to get information for their research and assignments. Librarians can no longer ignore the convenience of the internet especially in this era where users want information fast without much effort. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to change in user needs and demands in academic libraries. Since it is an issue that librarians can no longer disregard, this study was therefore set to assess library staff capacity in meeting changing user demands in academic libraries in universities in Kenya. The study found out that library staff have the capacity to meet changing user needs however they have to improve on marketing the services they offer and library staff should keep abreast of the changes in technology and changing user needs.

Keywords


Information Technology Staff Capacity, User Needs

References