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    Analysis of the Evolving Roles of Librarians in Enhancing Knowledge Management in University Libraries in Nairobi County
    (KeMU, 2024-09) Nasimiyu, Makokha Emily
    It has long been recognized in several sectors that librarians can enhance the efficacy and operational efficiency of knowledge management. University libraries do not yet completely acknowledge the worth of the role of librarians in managing knowledge. The primary goal of this study was to analyze librarians' evolving roles in enhancing knowledge management in university libraries in Nairobi County. Expressly, the following objectives were set forth: to evaluate the knowledge management practices currently in use by librarians in Nairobi County University libraries; to investigate the role of librarians in fostering information literacy skills among users at Nairobi County University libraries; to assess the role of librarians in organizing knowledge at Nairobi County university libraries; and to assess the role of librarians in maintaining the cultural heritage at Nairobi County university libraries. The study was carried out at the Technical University of Kenya and the University of Nairobi, and the following theories anchored the unified theory of technology acceptance and use, the role theory, and the adaptive structural theory. This study used the descriptive survey research design targeting 2180 individuals, consisting of librarian section heads and information science students, who were identified across the two institutions. A sample size of 338 respondents was sampled from this population to take part in the research process. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. This comprised 314 students currently enrolled at TUK and UON in the School of Information Science and 12 librarian section heads from each university. The content validity was attained by selecting the questionnaire measuring items from the operational framework. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using version 26 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Consequently, a frequency distribution will also be employed to analyze the quantitative data obtained during the research. This will show how often each value occurs in a data set, mainly the mean, median, and mode measures of central tendency. Ethical considerations were observed in the study. The value of this study was to help provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolving roles of librarians in enhancing knowledge management, which was very useful in assisting university libraries in Nairobi County. Based on the collected findings, most students felt that librarians had the most influence on knowledge management at these institutions. In addition, the librarians also felt they were responsible for enhancing literacy skills among library users. When asked for recommendations on how to evaluate the knowledge management techniques currently used by librarians in the libraries of Nairobi County University, a few librarians were informed that conducting knowledge management audits, regular surveys and questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews would provide these organizations with the data they require to ascertain which particular techniques are employed and how successful they are overall at promoting effective knowledge management. Finally, all responders agreed to set explicit targets for their cultural preservation program when asked how universities might evaluate librarians' contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage at university libraries in Nairobi County. Based on available data, this study shows that while some aspects of effective knowledge management, such as technology application, are used throughout the knowledge management (KM) cycle, their full implementation is not observed at every cycle stage. The study also suggested that librarians should actively communicate with teachers and students, offering them specific guidance on where to look for, evaluate, and use information. The last proposal was that these universities offer accurate metrics, promote collaboration with cultural institutions, and equip librarians with the skills to evaluate how successfully university libraries preserve cultural assets.
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    Adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) In Promoting Blended Learning at University Libraries in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (KeMU, 2024-09) Nyamboga, Felysta Nyamusi
    There is a lack of consensus in current studies on the extent of Open Educational Resources integration for blended learning in universities and the associated factors. This study investigated the adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) in promoting blended learning within university libraries in Nairobi County, focusing on the University of Nairobi, Technical University of Kenya, Strathmore University, and Catholic University of East Africa which was informed by a paucity of studies focusing on this population. The study sought to assess the adoption of open educational resources (OER) in blended learning at university libraries in Nairobi County, Kenya, to provide recommendations for improvement. The specific objectives were to evaluate the extent of OER adoption, identify strategies for incorporating OER into blended learning, and determine the success factors and policies supporting OER initiatives. The Diffusion of Innovations Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, and the Institutional Theory provided the theoretical underpinning for the interpretation of the findings. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative elements in the questionnaire to library staff and qualitative interviews with university librarians involved in OER adoption initiatives. The data collection involved 86 library staff and 4 university librarians. Census method and purposive sampling was employed to get the library staff and university librarians’ respectively. The quality of the data collection tool was achieved by checking the face, content and criterion validity, while reliability was achieved by using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. The mean and standard deviation were computed to SPSS for descriptive statistics for close-ended questions, while the open-ended questions and interviews were analyzed thematically using NVivo. The data was presented using graphs, pie charts, and tables. The analysis revealed a positive but varied state of OER adoption, with significant differences in awareness and integration efforts across the surveyed libraries with 62.3% indicating adoption to a large extent. The findings showed that the key strategies for incorporating OER included interdisciplinary collaboration (89.8%), investment in technological infrastructure (42% strongly agreed), and the promotion of open pedagogical practices (72.6%). Success factors identified were strong institutional leadership (46.4%), comprehensive faculty development programs (49.3%), and the effective dissemination of best practices. The findings on the policies highlighted presence of but the need for clearer copyright and licensing guidelines, sustainable funding mechanisms, and robust monitoring and review processes. The findings further indicated that while there is a foundational level of OER adoption, significant opportunities exist for enhancement through targeted awareness campaigns, comprehensive training, and strategic investments in technological infrastructure. The study concluded that universities are integrating OER for blended learning, enabled by institutional support, continuous professional development, and clear policies covering different aspects. Based on the findings, universities should enhance awareness campaigns, provide comprehensive OER training, create centralized repositories, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, invest in technological infrastructure, promote open pedagogical practices, ensure strong institutional leadership, implement faculty development programs, review and improve policies, and secure sustainable funding. This research contributes to the understanding of OER integration in higher education and offers practical recommendations for universities aiming to enhance their blended learning initiatives through OER.
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    Analysis of Strategies for Enhancing User Engagement in University Libraries in Meru County, Kenya
    (KeMU, 2024-09) Mutuma, Martin Muthomi
    The interactions among students, faculty, and staff with library resources, services, and facilities define user engagement in university libraries. To encourage engagement, these libraries invest in digital collections, empower users through information literacy workshops, gather feedback via surveys to customize their services, and build a strong social media presence to foster a sense of community and connection among library users. Unfortunately, some university libraries are facing low user engagement. This study aimed to analyze strategies for enhancing user engagement in university libraries in Meru County, with a particular emphasis on suggesting practical best practices. The objectives of this study were to evaluate how digital resource accessibility enhances user engagement, assess user survey mechanisms for improving engagement, examine the use of information literacy programs to boost engagement, and analyze social media strategies to increase engagement. The study was guided by information interaction theory, flow theory, and the social media integration framework. It adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population consisted of 13,000 undergraduate students, 665 postgraduate students, and 25 library staff from Meru University and Kenya Methodist University. A sample of 434 undergraduate students, 267 postgraduate students, and 15 library staff participated in the study. The researcher first stratified the undergraduate and postgraduate students and then applied a simple random sampling technique to each group to ensure representation across different academic disciplines and years of study. Purposive sampling was used to select library staff participants. The researcher gathered data from undergraduate and postgraduate students through questionnaires and conducted interviews with library staff. The instruments were pretested to ensure their reliability, which was crucial for producing trustworthy and replicable research findings. A reliability test using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was conducted on the research instruments to ensure reliability. The qualitative data were thematically analyzed and presented in thematic categories and narratives, while the quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics such as mean and standard deviation were computed, and the results were presented using tables and figures. The research adhered to ethical guidelines, including observing all research policies and ensuring the safety and confidentiality of the respondents. The study results revealed a significant level of engagement between students and library staff, with students frequently seeking assistance for research and resource location. Extensive use of online databases and electronic resources was noted; however, many students experienced difficulties in effectively using e-journals and institutional repositories. Additionally, user surveys were conducted sporadically with a poor response rate, and poor attendance at information literacy sessions was observed, with sessions not equipping students with efficient search strategies. Furthermore, most students felt library staff were unresponsive on social media, and the staff were unaware of effective methods to measure social media engagement. The study concludes that maintaining knowledgeable library staff, improving the quality and accessibility of digital resources, reassessing event planning and promotion strategies, enhancing social media engagement, and better promoting information literacy sessions are essential for enhancing user engagement. It recommended that university libraries in Meru County conduct regular user surveys, incorporate advanced search techniques in information literacy programs, establish clear social media engagement protocols, and integrate information literacy sessions into the academic curriculum.
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    Analysis of Occupational Burnout, Personality and Employee Engagement at Selected University Libraries in Coast Region in Kenya
    (KeMU, 2023-09) Magori, Stephen Kuyabi
    Burnout is a result of the vulnerability of workers in developing nations to occupational stressors in their specific institutions. Emotional exhaustion is a common side effect of workplace stress that inhibits employees from fully enjoying their work. Personality issues provide viewpoints on burnout and employee engagement. Due to their incorrect working hours, this scenario is hurting the type of information services provided by university librarians. As a result, the quality of information services has decreased, particularly at libraries at higher education institutions in Kenya's coastal region. The aim of this study was to determine and illustrate to what degree occupational burnout predicts library staff work engagement in 4 selected University Libraries in the Coast Region in Kenya. The objectives of this research were to explore the relation between occupational burnout and engagement, occupational burnout and personality, and personality and engagement of library staff at selected Universities in the Coast Region. An assessment of the mediating role of personalities in this identified hypothesized relationship was also covered. The J- DR model and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) are both used in this study. It was conducted in the Coast Region of Kenya. The researcher collected data from a target population of sample size of 54 library staff from 4 Universities. The research employed census method sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data. Thematic analysis was utilized with qualitative data, whilst regression analysis and descriptive statistics were used with quantitative data. The study findings indicated that occupational burnout had a negative and substantial connection with employee engagement; occupational burnout had a negative but insignificant relationship with personality; personality had a positive and substantial connection with staff engagement; and personality did not mediate the relationship between burnout and librarian engagement. The study concluded that occupational burnout contributes significantly to negative employee engagement. The study also concluded that occupational burnout contributes minimally to negative personality. Further, the study concludes that personality contributes significantly to positive employee engagement. Additionally, the study concluded that the ability of occupational burnout to predict employee engagement is not affected by personality.The study recommended the need for university library management to support employees in managing burnout. The university library management should support staff in strengthening their personalities. The field of information science will benefit greatly from this study's impact on theory, practice, and policy.
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    Adoption of Internet of Things in Enhancing Knowledge Management in University Libraries: A Case Study of Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
    (KeMU, 2023-08) Maina, John
    The potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness has been widely acknowledged in various sectors. However, university libraries are yet to fully embrace this technology. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in enhancing knowledge management at Catholic University of Eastern Africa library, with a view to recommend best practices. Specific objectives were to: assess the types of Internets of Things technology adopted at Catholic University of Eastern Africa library, examine factors attributed to successful adoption of the Internet of Things at Catholic University of Eastern Africa library, examine how internet of things technology relate with knowledge management and determine the competency of library staff in using IoT to manage knowledge at Catholic University of Eastern Africa library. The study was guided by the Unified Theory of Technology Acceptance and Use and Adaptive Structural Theory, and was conducted at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa university libraries. Utilizing a descriptive research design, this study focused on a target population of seven decision-making librarians and five hundred library patrons. Employing a qualitative approach, data was collected through interviews with a purposively selected university librarian, five section head librarians, and six focus group discussions (7 each), involving simple randomly sampled library patrons. Document analysis was also conducted. Content analysis and thematic categorization were used for data analysis. The study found out that there was limited IoT adoption for knowledge management in libraries at CUEA. This is attributed to challenges in infrastructure, training, and organizational barriers. Key success factors identified include robust infrastructure, user acceptance, library staff training, and organizational support. The study also found varying competency levels among library staff in using IoT technology. Additionally, a positive relationship between IoT and knowledge management was observed, particularly in terms of information access, resource management, and collaboration. The study concluded that the IoT adoption for knowledge management in libraries at CUEA were limited to infrastructure, training, competency, user acceptance, support and organizational barriers. Additionally, a positive relationship between IoT and knowledge management was observed. Based on the findings, the study recommends that libraries should develop a comprehensive strategy for integrating IoT technology into knowledge management practices. Libraries should establish partnerships with technology providers and industry experts to access suitable IoT solutions. Libraries should conduct regular assessments and evaluations to monitor the progress and measure the impact of IoT implementation. Additionally, the government should foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within university libraries. Furthermore, the study encourages further research and studies to expand the knowledge base and contribute to the advancement of best practices in the field of IoT adoption for knowledge management in university libraries. By implementing these recommendations, university libraries will leverage IoT technology effectively, enhance their knowledge management capabilities, and make significant contributions to academic excellence in research and learning environments