The role of Librarians on the use of institutional repositories in Higher learning institutions in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose- the purpose of this paper is to explore and understand the potential roles of librarians in institutional repositories in Kenya. Knowledge management practices and processes have roots in library practices anteceding institutional repositories. Thus, the library as an avenue for knowledge management can effectively become a physical or virtual place for open access and scholarly communication only if librarians’ step outside traditional roles. Unfortunately, institutional repositories are not fully developed in some academic institutions. Unawareness of librarians of their roles, and being unskilled in implementing the institutional repository has been incriminated for this problem. Despite this, little has been explored to understand the roles of academic librarians in institutional repositories in higher learning institutions in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach- Using analytical method, this paper analyses and presented various the matical issues on Institutional Repositories in relation to the roles of librarians, while highlighting limitations and proposing solutions for its sustainability. Findings- the paper found that globally most universities have embraced IRS. However, the unawareness of librarians of their roles and low technical skills in the use of institutional repository has been incriminated for low visibility of research output notwithstanding the many research activities undertaken by universities. In fine the academic librarians have not played their roles in institutional repositories as extensive as expected. Originality/value: Despite the high uptake of IRs by higher learning’s institutions, little has been documented on the role of librarians in the use of institutional repository. Implications: the review helps higher learning institutions and academic librarians to understand how academic librarians' roles have been transformed by the emergence of institutional repositories.