INFORMATION LITERACY

Kenyatta University Library INFORMATION LITERACY SHARING THE EXPERIENCE OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY Presented By:- Mary Anne MuiruriGichuhi 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: - Tour to the four broad subject libraries Watching/listening to audio-visual recording 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

Kenyatta University Library 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 the curriculum and teaching the library skills at KU

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

Kenyatta University Library EVALUATION OF THE COURSE 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 MODERNLIBRARY 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

INFORMATION LITERACY