Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

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
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


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
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • E. C. Nkamnebe, O. K. Udem, and C. B. Nkamnebe, “Evaluation of the use of university library resources and services by the students of Paul University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria,” Library Philosophy and Practice, Jul. 2014. Accessed: Oct. 02, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&issn=15220222&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA394685421&sid=googleScholar&linkaccess=abs
  • O. O. Oyewumi, G. O. Alegbeleye, and F. N. Onifade, “Information communication technology (ICT) and its effect on newspaper utilisation in university libraries in Nigeria,” 2015. Accessed: Sep. 15, 2017. [Online]. Available: http://library.ifla.org/1254/
  • M. M. Somerville, and Z. Howard, “Systems thinking: An approach for advancing workplace information literacy,” The Australian Library Journal, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 257-273, 2008.
  • M. Musoke, “Strategies for addressing the university library users’ changing needs and practices in Sub-Saharan Africa,” presented at the Pre-IFLA Satellite Conference Paper, 2007.
  • M. Jankowska, K. Hertel, and N. Young, “Improving library service quality to graduate students: LibQual+TM survey results in a practical setting,” Portal: Libraries and the Academy, vol. 6, pp. 59-76, Jan. 2006, doi: 10.1353/pla.2006.0005.
  • D. Sadagopan, and T. M. Chettiar, “A critical study on attitudes and awareness of institutional repositories and open access publishing,” Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice, vol. 1, Dec. 2013, doi: 10.1633/JISTaP.2013.1.4.5.
  • CNET, “How technology is transforming role of libraries,” Business Daily, May 23, 2019.
  • K. Bright, and A. Chang, “Changing roles of middle managers in academic libraries,” Library Management, vol. 33, no. 4/5, pp. 213-220, May 2012, doi: 10.1108/01435121211242263.
  • J. Knight, “International universities: Misunderstandings and emerging models?,” Journal of Studies in International Education, vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 107-121, May 2015, doi: 10.1177/1028315315572899.
  • V. Marimuthu, and V. Paraman, “Analysis of information technology (IT) applications in academic libraries in Kuwait,” Library Hi Tech News, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 9-15, Apr. 2011, doi: 10.1108/07419051111135227.
  • L. Luo, and V. B. Buer, “Reference service evaluation at an African academic library: The user perspective,” Library Review, vol. 64, no. 8/9, pp. 552-566, Jan. 2015, doi: 10.1108/LR-04-2015-0046.
  • R. Farrell, and K. Schlesinger, Managing in the Middle. American Library Association, 2013.
  • D. Bourgeois, and D. T. Bourgeois, “Chapter 6: Information systems security,” in Information Systems for Business and Beyond, Published through the Open Textbook Challenge by the Saylor Academy, 2014.
  • W. Y. Oso, and D. Onen, A General Guide to Writing Research Proposal and Report: A Handbook of Beginning Researchers. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation, 2009.
  • L. Ikamari, L. Barasa, and Kiplang’ at Joseph, General Research Methods. Nairobi, Kenya: Oxford University Press, 2015.
  • H.-F. Hsieh, and S. E. Shannon, “Three approaches to qualitative content analysis,” Qualitative Health Research, vol. 15, no. 9, pp. 1277-1288, Nov. 2005, doi: 10.1177/1049732305276687.
  • S. Shokeen, K. Agadi, and P. Choukimath, “Capacity building of library and information professionals in the digital environment,” in C. R. K. Festschrift, Ed. Library and Information Science Profession in the Knowledge Society. New Delhi, India: Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd, 2008, pp. 367-372.

Abstract Views: 139

PDF Views: 0




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

Abstract Views: 139  |  PDF Views: 0

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