IMPEDIMENTS OF ICT-BASED LIBRARY SERVICES IN SUPPORTING UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: THE CASE OF SELECTED UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Abstract

Information and communication technology (ICT) has greatly contributed to the phenomenal change in university education and their subsequent libraries. There is a growing interest in enhancing innovation by academic libraries in Africa to participate in the educational revolution. This study examines the challenges library users face in using ICT-based services in selected universities in Kenya, followed by recommendations on ways to alleviate them. A case study survey using a concurrent triangulation mixed-method approach was adopted. Three universities in Kenya namely the University of Nairobi (UoN), Egerton University (EU), and Kabarak University (KABU) took part in the survey. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaire administration from a random sample of 154 fourth-year undergraduate students. Qualitative data was obtained from 3 professional librarians, 6 university deans/directors, 1 representative from the Commission for University Education (CUE), and 1 representative from the Ministry of Education (MoE) who were all purposively selected as key informants of the study. The study revealed that students faced challenges in using ICT, the leading being slow/inadequate internet connectivity. Ultimately, the study recommends measures to alleviate these challenges and make ICT-based services supportive of university education.