Articles

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Research output published on Open Access Journals from the Univerity of Zululand scholars

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Browsing Articles by Subject "Academic libraries"

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    The application of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information behaviour towards effective service delivery for students with disabilities within an academic library context
    (University of Zululand, 2019) Eneya, Dorothy; Mostert, B.J.
    This paper explores the applicability of the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour for effective service delivery to students with disabilities in the context of academic libraries. The paper is based on a literature review based on Oliver’’s social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in relation to service provision to students with disabilities in academic libraries. The literature review provided a background to the two models and their criticisms and implications to academic libraries. This paper shows that despite their respective weaknesses, using the social model of disability and Wilson’s model of information seeking behaviour in the academic library context offers an opportunity for academic libraries to re-look at their systems and services in order to address the different barriers faced by students with disabilities in their day to day information seeking. As libraries acquire and organise their resources, the needs of students with disabilities should always be prioritised. Academic libraries as a key information source in any academic setting have a responsibility to provide information in various formats using various facilities for easy accessibility and use by their diverse users. Access to any form of information is a fundamental human right. Academic libraries must identify and remove barriers that may inhibit information seeking for students with disabilities. Additionally, academic libraries should use multiple facilities to provide information. This will ensure that information needs for users with disabilities are catered for.
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    Maximising the potential of social media to deliver academic library services to students: a case study of The Technical University Of Kenya Library
    (University of Zululand, 2016-01) Abok, Villary Atieno; Kwanya, Tom
    This study investigated how academic libraries in Kenya can maximise the potential of social media to deliver their services. The objectives of the study were to identify the various forms of social media utilised in academic libraries; explain how these social media are used to support the delivery of library services; ascertain the benefits academic libraries accrue from the use of social media; identify the challenges which hamper effective use of social media in academic libraries; and propose strategies which the academic libraries can employ to enhance the outcomes of their social media use. This research was a case study of The Technical University of Kenya library in Nairobi, Kenya. Primary data was collected from 23 knowledge ambassadors, who are student library champions, and three librarians selected through information-oriented purposive sampling. The findings revealed that academic libraries in Kenya are currently using Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and Twitter to facilitate the sharing of information resources, provision of reference services, formation of professional networks, and promotion of library services. The findings also indicate that the use of social media in academic libraries in Kenya has enhanced interactions between librarians and library users; saved the time for searching, accessing and using information; reduced costs associated with space; and enhanced the promotion of library services and products. Nonetheless, lack of adequate ICT infrastructure and human resources are hampering the effective adoption of social media in the libraries. Academic libraries in Kenya are advised to invest more resources in infrastructural development, capacity building and hiring of more staff to enhance their social media use outcomes. The findings of this study may be used by academic librarians to apply social media in the design and delivery of information services and products effectively.
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    Serving remote users in selected public university libraries in Kenya: perspectives of the section heads
    (University of Zululand, 2016-01) Wachira, Mary Njeri; Onyancha, Omwoyo Bosire
    The provision of information services to support teaching, learning and research has long been a major objective of libraries in higher education. The students being served by these libraries, specifically in Kenya, may consist of on-campus and remote user groups. This study set out to explore the library section heads’ perspectives of the support services and resources meant for remote library users in selected public university libraries in Kenya with a view to recommending measures towards improving library services for this emerging group of library users. The study used a case study research design whereby qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions (FGDs) with section heads in four selected public university libraries in Kenya, namely the University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenyatta University (KU), Moi University (MU) and Egerton University (EU). The findings of the study are discussed under four main subject areas: services for remote users, physical facilities available for remote users, how libraries create awareness of their services to remote users, and policies and regulations that govern remote use of library resources. It is hoped that the study’s findings will not only create awareness of the existence of remote users in academic libraries in Kenya, but will also open up debate on how effectively and efficiently this category of users can be served
University of Zululand