How do University library spaces in Kenya align or misalign with the 21st-Century library spaces trend?

Abstract

in the 21st Century, university libraries are experiencing notable transformations due to the digital environments, changing user needs, and technological advancements. These changes have prompted the reimaging of library practices to align with modern trends. The paper explores the existing disconnect between the spaces provided by the university libraries in Kenya and the 21st-century space features. Research was conducted using a pragmatic research paradigm, a convergent mixed methods design and a multiple case studies strategy. The study population was university library users in Kenya, consisting of six (6) participating universities (three public universities and three private universities), purposefully selected based on their age (time they have been in existence). Students and academic staff participated in a survey; the heads of sections and librarians participated in focus groups, while university librarians had interviews. This study collected data through online questionnaires, online focus group discussions and telephone call interviews. The qualitative data was thematically analysed, while the quantitative data adopted a statistical approach that encompasses descriptive statistics. The results show that most university libraries in Kenya still predominantly offer traditional facilities such as circulation desks, book stacks and limited reading areas. While these spaces remain functional, they inadequately align with contemporary academic needs that emphasise collaborative learning, digital integration and flexible, technology-rich environments and variety in space types. The study concludes that Kenyan university library spaces are predominantly structured around traditional student-centred models that lack flexibility to support broader academic activities as envisioned in the 21st-century learning landscape. The study recommends that university management support the libraries in providing budgets to gradually configure library spaces to progressively match the 21st-century users’ preferences.