Utilization of Social Media in Knowledge Sharing in Academic Libraries in Kenya: a Case of Kirinyaga University Library

Abstract

Knowledge is an asset that is increasingly being recognized by organizations as a crucial base of achieving an upper hand and the concept of sharing knowledge is not exception in this regard. However, organizations risk the failure of capitalizing most of its intellectual knowledge if employees don’t share the knowledge they hold using platforms such as social media. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of social media in knowledge sharing practices in academic libraries with reference to Kirinyaga University library. The objectives of the study were to: examine knowledge sharing at Kirinyaga University Library; to find out the use of social media in creating awareness on knowledge resources at Kirinyaga University library; to find out the social media tools and technologies used and examine the effect of social media towards library services offered at the university The study adopted a case study approach that was descriptive in nature. The study adopted Nassiuma (2000) model to determine the sample size from the target population of 2,800 respondents drawn from undergraduate, diploma and certificate students, as well as the library staff. Stratified sampling was applied in selecting a sample size of the students and simple random sampling for library staff. A sample size of 169 was drawn from the respondents. Out of this, only 96 of the questionnaires were returned and 7 university staff interviewed (key informants), representing 61% response rate. The study found that the email was the most utilized medium for knowledge sharing at 66%; the respondents had been using social media accounts in sharing knowledge for less than 6 months (78%); social media use could be used to create more awareness on knowledge resources of the library by attracting more library clients to use the library services. The respondents had not been trained (87%) on how to use social media in the library in the context of knowledge sharing; the respondents also found utilization of social media in providing library services to be highly effective; the challenges encountered with the use of social media were, low internet bandwidth and WIFI connectivity (71%), virus threats (65%) and lack of orientation (87%). The study concluded that there was need to increase more usage of social media only for academic use and ethical use so as to reduce on the cost and time spent on answering library queries. The study revealed that the library experienced low internet bandwidth and low WIFI connection which greatly hampered social media use, also technophobia among library clients and inadequate computer facilities were some of the noted challenged experienced.The study recommended that Kirinyaga University library needs to engage with other libraries in the country and beyond in order to benchmark with them on their progress on knowledge sharing using social media sites and also there is need of investing more time in exploring new technology. The library should also increase internet bandwidth to facilitate easy access to social media platforms. The study would add to the general body of knowledge and offer practical solutions to challenges experienced when using social media in knowledge sharing in academic libraries. It will also inform policy formulation utilization of social media in knowledge sharing in academic libraries.