Transformative aspects of Wireless innovations in Academic Libraries in Kenya - case of the University of Nairobi Library

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the transformative aspects of wireless innovations in academic libraries in Kenya with reference to University of Nairobi library. Objectives were to: find out the extent to which wireless innovations have promoted use of digital information resources in academic libraries, examine how wireless innovations have transformed delivery of services in academic libraries, establish applications of wireless innovations in academic libraries, and propose effective strategies to enhance wireless innovations in academic libraries. The research was a descriptive survey with certain aspects of qualitative methods. The research instruments used in the study were questionnaires and interview schedules. In total 16 staff at the library were purposively selected on merit out of which 10 staff participated in a face to face interview. Questionnaires were issued to 96 postgraduate students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Personal interview guides and questionnaires were administered to the respondents. Collected data were coded and analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science and Microsoft Excel and presented by use of tables, charts, percentages and narratives. The major findings from the research revealed: that wireless innovations have enabled flexibility with presence of portable devices; that with the changing users’ needs and demands, academic libraries are creating digital libraries with e-resources, erepositories with authentic, authorized and quality online resources for online and distance learning, e-learning and e-publishing; that contrary to academic libraries in developed countries, JKML libraries have neither embraced nor popularized use of wireless innovations for online library lending of materials, internet of things, connectivity beacons, virtual library cards and loaning hotspots; and that presence of firewalls as a form of security was not enough as there were cases of sharing of passwords with outsiders which made the number of users to overpower the bandwidth. Recommendations include: sensitization to encourage more library users to explore use of wireless innovations to access digital information resources; development of mobile smart applications by library professionals to offer users self-service; increase security and hiring expertise for continued upgrade and regular maintenance of wireless technologies. Besides, academic libraries need to create mobilization programmes to adjust to the trends and user demands and take information services to another level such as digital repositories, electronic information resources, remote access, interactive websites, and social networks among other technologies. Suggestion for further research is recommended on potential capabilities of wireless innovations in academic libraries to maximize utilization of information resources.