Challenges Faced in Provision of Information Resources and Services in County Assembly Libraries: Case of Siaya and Kericho Counties

Abstract

Libraries have the key responsibility of ensuring provision of appropriate information resources and services for its users. Special libraries were established in the County Assemblies of Kenya and were expected to meet the information and research needs of all members of staff. The success of such libraries would be judged by their ability to achieve the mentioned objectives. However, this could only be possible if the librarians were fully supported by the County Assembly management and provided with the necessary conducive environment to deliver. The purpose of this study therefore, was to establish challenges faced by librarians in their endeavor to provide information resources and services. The study was conducted in Siaya and Kericho County Assembly Libraries both located in County Assembly Premises of respective towns. The pilot study was done in Kisumu County Assembly Library and purposive sampling was used for the study. The two libraries were selected because combination of staff in both would make enough target population. Exploratory research design was used. Data was collected using Questionnaires with a sample size of 162. Qualitative data was collected, analysed and summarized thematically giving a narrative conclusion. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used to summarize, code and analyze quantitative data according to the objectives of the study. Data collected was analyzed, discussed and inferences made to come up with a report. The findings indicated that the two County Assembly libraries have qualified librarians who manage them. However, the librarians faced some challenges which hampered their performance thus inability to achieve their objectives. The findings further indicated that, there was serious lack of involvement in organization’s policy making, existence of politics within the management, inadequate budget allocations, lack of resource and services for users with special needs, failure to construct a purpose-built library and inadequate consideration of beliefs, lifestyles and status of users when providing information resources and services. The study recommended that the management ensures involvement of all libraries and other departments in policy making to ensure that their needs are catered for, organizational politics to be completely avoided to ensure smooth implementation of set objectives. Adequate budget allocation to the library is also recommended that a purpose-built library be constructed to accommodate all categories of users. Users’ beliefs, lifestyles and status should also be taken into account when providing information resources and services.