Journal of Applied Information Science

Naomy Waithera Mwaurah ¹, Ben Wekalao Namande ²

Affiliations
1 St. Paul’s University, KE
2 Department of Library Studies, Kenyatta University, KE

Abstract

It is not possible for a library to hold full stock of information resources or procure all information which may be in demand by its users. To solve this problem, library cooperation started long ago such as interlibrary loan, document delivery, library network, etc. Consortia are commonly formed to increase the purchasing ability of collaborating institutions to expand the resources availability and offer automated services. In Kenya, there is KLISC which has carried out commendable activities to support research in Kenya. Kenya has over 600 institutions but only 112 are KLISC members and also very little has been documented about the contributions KLISC has had to the member institutions. The study therefore tried to identify the contributions that KLISC membership has had to its member institutions. The study objective was to assess the contributions of KLISC towards access to information resources. Descriptive survey design was used and a population comprising of the University Librarian and post graduate students from Faculty of Theology. Through purposive sampling and simple random sampling technique, a sample size of 51 respondents was obtained; the University Librarian and 50 post graduate students. The study established that the respondents were familiar with a few of KLISC’s databases. The study also found out that out of the 58 databases provided through KLISC, the respondents were only familiar with and used 4 databases. Poor ICT infrastructures and poor internet connectivity were the major challenges. The study therefore recommends that KLISC together with the information managers promote the Consortium services and products to the non-members in Kenya and also create awareness of the various databases to information users.

Keywords

Information Resources, Library, Library Consortium, Library Cooperation.

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Naomy Mwaurah ¹, Ben Wekalao Namande ²

Affiliations
1 St Paul’s University, Limuru, KE
2 Kisii University, Kisii, KE

Abstract

Kenya Library and Information Service Consortium (KLISC) has done outstanding activities such as shared acquisition and ICT trainings of librarians to support information service providers in Kenya. Kenya has over 600 institutions but only 123 are KLISC members, irrespective of their memberships, their subscribed information resources remain under-utilized. The study therefore tried to interrogate the awareness levels of the KLISC’s information resources and services by the users of member institutions. The purpose of the study was therefore to establish awareness levels of KLISC services and resources by users of KLISC member libraries. The study was conducted in University of Nairobi, KLISC headquarters and Kenya National Library Services (KNLS), Nairobi headquarters. The study used descriptive survey. The target population was KLISC’s member libraries in Nairobi County. Purposive sampling and stratified sampling techniques were used to obtain a representative sample size. Data were collected using interviews and questionnaires and analysed using Microsoft excel and narrative method. The study discovered that most respondents were only aware of the multi-disciplinary databases. Majority of them used the KLISC’s resources and stated the need for training on the access, use and search within these databases. The study concluded that majority of the library users were aware of the KLISC’s resources and consulted them alongside other sources. The study recommended that rigorous trainings on use and access to KLISC’s resources should be done regularly. The study also recommended that libraries should create awareness of all the KLISC’s information resources for full utilization of these resources.

Keywords

Awareness, Digital libraries, Electronic resources, Library consortium.

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Rosalid Kinya Kaaria ¹, Ben Wekalao Namande ²

Affiliations
1 Head Librarian, Alliance High School, KE
2 Lecturer, Kisii University, Kenya and Adjunct. Lecturer, Kenyatta University, KE

Abstract

Library users who are physically challenged have continued to face challenges in accessing and utilizing libraries in Kenya. Libraries have always played a significant role, enabling people to engage with all kinds of information and knowledge resources. A library has a role to serve all members of its community, providing a wide range of materials and services which may be used for education, information or recreation. Accordingly, the study sought to evaluate information services offered to physically challenged users to satisfy their information needs at Kenya National library services, Nairobi. The study sought to determine the information sources offered to physically challenged users. The researcher used a case study research design and the whole population was used to carry out the study. The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentary analysis were used as secondary data collection methods. Data analysis was done quantitatively and qualitatively and presented using frequency tables, graphs and figures to give a clear visual presentation. Findings show that respondents used the library for several reasons including reading newspapers, reading text book, research, internet, looking for personal information and leisure. There was a general observation that the facilities and equipment for physically challenged users need to be improved. The study recommends that every library should provide a service which caters for every one of its users, including clientele who have a disability.

Keywords

Disability, Information, Patrons, Physical Disability

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