The role of The Kenya Library and Information Services Consortium (KLISC) in the provision of Electronic Information Resources in Libraries in Kenya

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.