Kenyatta University Library
INFORMATION LITERACY
SHARING THE EXPERIENCE OF
KENYATTA UNIVERSITY
Presented By:Mary Anne Muiruri Gichuhi
Beatrice Mwiti
Catherine Muriuki
Kenyatta University Library
DEFINATION OF INFORMATION LITERACY
• Ability to recognize when information is needed,
locate and access the needed information
efficiently and effectively, evaluate information
and its source critically, incorporate his or her
own knowledge base (ALA, 1989)
Kenyatta University Library
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF IL AT KU
• Library was setup at what used to be Templer
Barracks Staff Canteen in 1970 when KUC
became a constituent college of UON
• Moved to Moi Library building in 1984
• Kenyatta University attained full fledged
university status in 1985 through Act of
Parliament
• Moved to Post Modern Library building in 2011
Kenyatta University Library
LIBRARY ORIENTATION PROGRAMME 1985 - 1990
• Comprehensive Library orientation program
Included: -
1. Tour to the four broad subject libraries
2. Watching/listening to audio-visual
recording
3. Personalized library instruction for
students and staff
Kenyatta University Library
CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED
• Poor technological development in the university
library;
• Inadequate ICT skills among most library staff;
• High student admission;
• Inadequate space
Kenyatta University Library
Phase II
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IMPLEMENTATION OF 8-4-4 EDUCATION
SYSTEM
• Education system in Kenya changed from 7-4-2-3 to 8-4-4
in 1985
• Communication skills course introduced in all public
universities in 1990
• Communication skills had library skills component
• Senior
Librarians
responsible
for
developing
curriculum and teaching the library skills at KU
the
Kenyatta University Library
LIBRARY SKILLS SYLLABUS
The library skills course composed of:
• Introduction and rationale for the library skills course;
• Interpreting references from reading lists;
• The library catalogue;
• Organization of the library;
• Doing a library search;
• Referencing techniques;
• Using reference sources
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EVALUATION OF THE COURSE
SKILLS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
Library
48
43.0
Study
15
15.0
Writing
13
13.0
Listening
13
13.0
Reading
11
11.0
Total
100
100.0
NB.
Students found the library skills course very useful to their
learning as shown in the table above
CHANGE IN TEACHING OF
LIBRARY SKILLS
• In 1994, librarians teaching library skills were recalled
back to the library from teaching
• Workload taken over by communication skills lecturers
who had no background in library and information
studies
• No
collaboration
between
the
library
and
communication skills department and students were
no longer brought for practical sessions in the library
TEACHING OF COMMUNICATION
SKILLS ONLINE
• In 2002, the communication skills module
(UCU 100) was written for open learning
students
• One of the authors of the module was a
senior library staff
• In 2011, the communications skills module
went online for all first year students
DIGITIZATION
• Communication skills module was identified as one
of the model representative modules for digitization
• The digitization is an ongoing project where by CDs
are being availed to students in areas where internet
may not be easily accessible.
• The same senior librarian who co-authored the
module is still involved in the digitization project
Kenyatta University Library
Modules digitized and availed to students
through CD’s and the e-Learning Portal
Kenyatta University Library
Phase III
Kenyatta University Library
KU POST MORDERN LIBRARY
New Kenyatta University Post
Modern Library
Instruction room in the
library used for information
literacy
Kenyatta University Library
FACILITIES IN THE POST MODERN LIBRARY
Reading Space
Computer Labs
Kenyatta University Library
FACILITIES IN THE POST MODERN LIBRARY
Open shelves
Wireless Connection
Kenyatta University Library
CHALLENGES FACED
• Exponential increase in student population – 14,000
students in 2011 & 4000 students in May, 2012
• Inadequate personnel at senior level
• Lack of a comprehensive IL training programme
• Inadequate policies and guidelines on the training of IL
• Insufficient teaching materials
• The role of faculty in the IL training is not clearly defined
• Poor internet connectivity hindering access to e-resources
• Training of IL in university campuses
Kenyatta University Library
CONCLUSION
• Metamorphosis of IL at Kenyatta University
• Collaboration/Partnerships with stakeholders
• Kenyatta university library staff has made the library
indispensable and a resource which is a must for a
serious scholar
• Achieved through serious marketing of the library and
training in IL
• Librarians must be at the cutting edge of technological
developments to achieve good results in IL
Kenyatta University Library
Thank You