Adoption of integrated information management systems in Kenya: A case study at the Kenya Bureau of Standards Library

Abstract

Automation in libraries has been a top agenda in the information sector, particularly in this era of information explosion. Libraries have had to adopt various integrated library management systems to be able to manage and provide their services to their users effectively. However, the choice of the particular management system seems to influence the achievement of the libraries’ effectiveness in service delivery. This study sought to highlight AMLIB library information management system in terms of its suitability in Kenya Bureau of standards library over other open source library management software. The specific objectives of this study were: to examine the usability of the KEBS’s library; establish the staff views on the use of AMLIB in KEBS’s library as opposed to other OSSs; examine the compatibility of AMLIB with the library’s daily services to the user; establish the user’s ability to use AMLIB in information retrieval and finally to find out the challenges being experienced while using AMLIB in the KEBS’s library. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology which involved the use of descriptive data collection techniques and interpretation. The study was based at the Kenya Bureau of Standards main library and the other libraries in its nine branches. The target population was derived from the library department and any other related department such as the information technology department. The study was expected to be a lead towards easy process, storage, retrieval, evaluation and dissemination of information. In regard to the application of AMLB in KEBS library, the study found that KEBS library is useful to both users and staff. On matters concerning staff views on the use of AMLIB in KEBS’s Library Staff, the study found that use of AMLIB in KEBS’s library as opposed to other OSSs had results indicating most staff as comfortable with it up to 70% rate. , the study found that most users were in agreement that circulation module was better in satisfying the daily users of the library as it plays AMLIB’s compatibility with the library’s daily services to the user.