Role of Librarians in mitigating information explosion in academic libraries: the case study of the Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library-UON

Abstract

University libraries are meant to support the mission of the parent institutions. The growing need for information has made institutions to stay abreast with discoveries thus causing an increased availability of published and non-published information to institutions, which in return has led to overabundance of data thus making it difficult for information users to access the authentic information. The aim of the study was to investigate the r ole of librarians in mitigating information explosion in academic libraries with a review of the University of Nairobi’s Library. The objectives were to: examine the awareness levels of information explosion among the library users at library; establish the effects of information explosion amongst the library users; assess information searching skills of the users at; and propose appropriate strategies for mitigating information explosion. The study used a descriptive research design and purposive sampling technique. The University of Nairobi was purposively selected on its merit. The researcher utilized a Sample size of 208 respondents. Questionnaires were issued to the master’s students and interview guides were administered to library staff to collect data, which was analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel software. The results were then presented in tables and charts as appropriate with explanations given in prose. Findings from the research indicated that; the majority of the library users had challenges in accessing information. Results from library staff indicated that the appropriate strategies to mitigate information explosion were the adoption of Information Communication Technology. In conclusion, there is a need to embrace new Information Communication Technology, information literacy and train staff to impart the same to users.