Analysising factors Contributing to low usage of The Kenya Parliament Library by Members of The National Assembly

Abstract

Parliament libraries determine information needs of their users, select, acquire, organize, store, disseminate and promote use of information. They inform, enlighten, educate, provide recreation and inspire users through their information holdings. Parliament spent a lot of money to set up a library, recruit staff and acquire information resources. However, there is a serious low usage of the library and information resources by members of the National Assembly. Statistics undertaken revealed that the library was not adequately used by Members of the Kenya National Assembly. Circulation records revealed that very few members of parliament used library information materials. The aim of the study was therefore to analyze factors contributing to low usage of the Kenya Parliament library by Members of National Assembly and to suggest ways in which the usage can be enhanced. Its objectives were to: determine information needs of members of the National Assembly, ascertain the information sources which are available and accessible to members of the National Assembly, establish the extent to which the existing information sources met the information needs of the members of the National assembly, analyze information services provided to members of the National Assembly, to find out challenges members of the Kenya National Assembly face in meeting their information needs and to propose ways of enhancing library and information service delivery to members of the National Assembly. Wilson‟s general model of information seeking behavior was used. The researcher employed a survey design and a mixed approach in carrying out the study. The study population comprised 350 Members of the Kenya National Assembly and a sample size of 89 Members. The researcher used non probability sampling method and purposive sampling techniques. Administration of questionnaire and interviews were used as methods for data collection and, questionnaire and interview schedule used as data collection instruments. Data gathered was presented in tabular form. The study established that parliamentarians needed information to help them do their work but however, failed to use the library to meet their information needs. The researcher‟s conclusion was that parliamentarians failed to make maximum use of the library putting accusation on the following; lack of up to date information retrieval tools, inaccessibility to information sources, space and accommodation and lack of support from qualified staff. The researcher recommended that in order to motivate members parliament to use the library services, the librarians should, among others, carry out information needs assessment, market the library services, repackage information in an attractive way, use information related technologies, improve internet connectivity and cooperate with other libraries