dc.description.abstract |
Libraries have existed for centuries as a place where people assemble to gain
knowledge, do research and read for leisure. Although there are different kinds of
libraries, they all aim to deliver relevant information services to the general
population, hence the need to invest in human resource to undertake the activities of
library services to the clients. Given that human resource is prone to challenges and
people tend to behave positively or negatively depending on the activities they engage
in, working environment and other incentives given to them, it is important to
evaluate the degree to which they respond to such activities. The aim of this study was
to investigate the effect of library staff attitude to work on the use of information
services in public university libraries in Kenya with a view to establishing the extent
to which it impacts on service delivery. Specifically the study endeavored to: examine
the effects of library staff attitude in relation to the utilization of information services
by students in public university libraries in Kenya; assess internal and external factors
which influence library staff attitude and job performance in public university
libraries in Kenya; establish existing human resource development policies and their
effect on library staff in public university libraries in Kenya; highlight the extent to
which library working environment influences library staff performance in public
university libraries in Kenya. The study was informed by motivation theory, which
included; Maslow‟s need hierarchy theory; scientific management theory and Vrooms
expectancy theory. The study used concurrent triangulation approach within mixed
method research design. Three public university libraries were purposively selected to
participate in the study. The study population comprised of 25,246 students,
university administrators and library staff. Purposive sampling was used to establish
sample size for the study. The sample size was 2125 which included 2089
undergraduate and postgraduate students, 3 university librarians, 3 university
administrators, 12senior librarians and 18 library assistants. The content validity was
assured by expert judgment by lecturers of Moi University, School of Information
Sciences, while the reliability was ensured by split-half method and coefficient of r =
0.93 was reported. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics
while the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings would
lead to a new paradigm shift by involving the students and library staff in ensuring
that information needs of the students are met and the library staff are motivated by
university management positively to provide quality library service. The study
findings were that the library users need information continuously regardless of its
availability; the library clients require library staff with the right attitude to provide
information services without any discrimination; information services for class work
were limited against a steady growing student population and shrinking budget; the
library staff welfare was inadequate and does not advocate for better working
conditions in the library and therefore majority of the staff were demotivated and
there is lack of structured promotion criteria for library staff from training and those
with vast experience in the profession. Based on these findings, the study
recommends an employee attitude management model to provide practical means by
which library staff can be effective in their work. It is expected that this study will
offer insight into attitude management practices in public university libraries in
Kenya. |
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