FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE OF LIBRARY INFORMATION SYSTEMS BY STAFF AND STUDENTS IN KABARAK UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Kabarak University Library has invested heavily in ICT resources and internet connectivity in the quest of gaining a competitive advantage but despite the heavy investment by the university, there seems to be low use by majority of staff and students of Kabarak University. The low usage highlights questions on the benefits that have accrued from the investment. The study therefore, sought to find out the extent of influence of various factors on the use of the library information systems with an aim of establishing difficulties in using the information systems in the day-today academic activities. Specifically, the study examined the factors influencing the use of library information systems by staff and students at Kabarak University for teaching, learning and research with a view to recommending measures for improvement. The study employed a survey research design to illustrate the phenomenon under examination. The target population of the study was staff and students in Kabarak University main campus.Primary data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings from the study indicated that University ICT centre was most popular point of access for the users followed by the library and in most instances availability of resources were associated with increased information systems’ usage frequency. The study further found out that there were significant usage differences between staff and students where students had more usage preference than their staff counterparts. In addition, both information quality and system quality contributed to increased library information system usage. Based on the findings, the study concluded that demographic background of the respondents, resources availability, and user satisfaction influenced the use of the library information systems. Finally, the study recommended measures which include modalities to ensure remote access to library information systems so as to facilitate varied modes of learning, teaching and research in order to meet the needs of the varied user demographic segments; promotional campaigns (user education) to library users for availability of electronic information sources in the library; and further research be carried out to compare the influence of the factors examined in this study involving both public and private universities.