Abstract:
In the recent past, Kenya has created technical universities. However, their libraries continue to
operate just like any other academic library. This study explored the key characteristics which
technical university libraries should espouse. The specific objectives of the study were to analyse
the concept of technical universities; investigate the information needs of technical university
students; and propose the key characteristics that technical university libraries should espouse so
as to offer effective information services and products to their users. The study was conducted as
a single case study using The Technical University of Kenya library. Data on the characteristics
of technical universities was collected through document review. Primary data on how well the
current library staff, services and collection meet the information needs of the users was
collected through structured self-administered questionnaires from students. The students were
selected using simple random sampling. The data was analysed and presented using descriptive
statistics. The findings indicate that technical university libraries in Kenya operate just like any
other academic library. This has resulted in inadequate service delivery to their users. The
libraries should be philosophically distinct from the other academic libraries. This should be
manifested through unique services, collection and staff.