Abstract:
Due to the increasing prices of e-journals many libraries are turning to consortia building
to provide e-resources for their members. In Kenya, libraries have formed Kenya Library
and Information Services Consortium (KLISC) to provide e-resources for their members.
KLISC like any other consortium provides access to knowledge and information
resources electronically at low cost. It achieves this through partnership with international
Networks for Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP). The partnership deals with
issues such as negotiations for better prices and licensing process which are critical issues
for consortia. Despite the important role KLISC plays, there are certain issues which may
affect its effectiveness which may include ICT connectivity, skills for access, user
satisfaction and the consortium management. The aim of the study was to explore the
effectiveness of KLISC in the provision of electronic information resources in
consortium libraries in Kenya with a view to proposing ways and means of enhancing its
effectiveness. The objectives of the study were to: Investigate activities of KLISC in the
provision of electronic information resources in Kenya; establish the need for e-resources
in consortium libraries; ascertain the extent to which KLISC has assisted in the provision
of e-information resources to consortium libraries in the country; establish the problems
experienced by consortium libraries in accessing electronic information resources; and to
propose solutions to improve provision of e-resources to consortium libraries. The study
was informed by environmental Economic Networking Model (Kaul 2001). The study
used qualitative inquiry. Data was collected from participants selected through stratified
random sampling from KLISC‘s member libraries and KLISC officials. Method of data
collection used was face-to-face interviews and the collected data was analysed
thematically. The study established that KLISC provided the members access to forty two
electronic databases from which members had access to various electronic information
resources; provision of scientific information for researchers and scholars was the
greatest need for e-resources among members; poor development of ICT infrastructure,
poor connectivity and lack of ICT skills was a common challenge among members. The
study recommends improvement of infrastructure among members, promotion of the
consortium to all libraries in Kenya, introduction of other electronic services to enhance
access to more information and resource sharing, and improvement of the training
programme to make it more effective.
