An evaluation with reference to the place of library and other multimedia services

Abstract

The study set out to evaluate the place of library and other multi-media information services in the external degree programme of the University of Nairobi. The information for the study was solicited from a random sample of male and female students in their part six of study. This grade level of student was chosen because of long period and exposure they have had in the use of library facilities. The sample of the study comprised of 165 respondents out of 290 that formed the target population. Through self-administered questionnaires, observation and oral interviews, the study elicited views on the place of library and other information services in the external degree programme University of Nairobi. The findings were computed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and their implications quantified by tables showing percentages and frequencies. Some of the major findings of the study were that Library network in Kenya do not have sufficient materials for external students use; that majority of external students are located far away from the libraries and that there was an urgent need to install multi- media resources to the external students in their respective regional centres. Finally, the study recommends that the problems in Iibrary and alternative information services in the faculty of external studies, University of Nairobi be addressed to make the learning environment for distance learners more conducive to academic activities and provide quality education. In line with the findings and conclusions of the study, the following recommendations were made for future research: I. A Study should be conducted to investigate the place of library and other media resource services in the faculty of external studies, University of Nairobi 111 relation to other variables a part from the ones used in this study. faculty of External Studies administrators and lecturers' views could be incorporated into the instruments so as to provide a better insight on the topic. 2. The scope of this study should be expanded to base the findings at a national level, for example conducting similar research on more than one university, say four public universities. 3. It is imperative that similar studies be duplicated on other areas of the library. For example, one can carry out research 011 effective management of libraries in the external degree programme. 4. Replication of the current study is recommended to ascertain whether different research instruments could yield similar results.