Abstract:
The operations and services of libraries have experienced significant changes due to
introduction of information and communication technologies (ICTs). This has introduced
an array of both technical and managerial issues that can have adverse impact on
information management if not checked. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of
technological changes on library operations and services with a view of proposing a
framework to guide the management of technological changes as they affect library
information management practices at Egerton University. The objectives of the study
were to: trace the history and drivers of technology application at Egerton University
Library between 1999 and 2013; establish the technological changes and their
implications on library operations, services and staff skills and knowledge; assess the
adequacy of the existing ICT policy; examine the technological benefits and challenges
associated with introduction of ICTs affecting library operations and services and
propose a framework to guide adoption of new ICTs in the management of library
operations and services. The study adopted Information Technology Infrastructure
Library (ITIL) as its theoretical framework. A qualitative paradigm using case study as
the research method was employed. Purposive sampling technique was used to select
fifty (50) respondents comprising of both professional and para-professional staff from
the library, and four (4) staff drawn from ICT and Procurement Departments. Data was
collected using face-to-face interviews and analyzed thematically. The study established
that the benefits accrued from technology adoption far outweighed the negative effects.
Amongst the notable benefits were: greater level of efficiency in operations and
productivity; achievement of excellent services; cost reduction in acquisition of
information resources through consortia and increased access to wider range of resources
and remote access. The negative effects were: cost of IT equipment, installation and
maintenance; staff/user training and retraining; problems of data conversion/transfer and
security; absence of permanent physical collection and generation of electronic-waste.
Technological changes and technology adoption are inevitable and libraries and
information centres must find a suitable framework that will enable them keep up to date
and be at par with the rest of the world. The study proposed ITIL framework for
managing the challenges by guiding the library in the development, adoption and
implementation of information technologies. ITIL framework has aspects such as
financial management for determining the cost of implementing a change, capacity
management, software asset management, lifecycle configuration management and
license management.