Challenges facing information literacy efforts in Kenya: A case study of selected university libraries in Kenya

Abstract

The ability to access, evaluate and use information is aprerequisite for lifelong learning, and a basic requirementfor the information society. At the university level,students are expected to contact independent explorationin diverse disciplines and topics and therefore, irrespectiveof their areas of study, they need to use informationeffectively. They should not only master the skill of findinginformation in print format or electronic formats, but alsobe able to evaluate and use it competently both in theirstudy activities as well as in their later lives. This paperexamines why the acquisition of these information skills isa matter of necessity and they are a prime factor in qualitylearning in Kenyan universities. It concludes that althoughthere have been efforts to ensure information literacyamong university students, there is need to build on theseefforts through collaborative efforts between librariansand faculty members particularly through joint curriculumdesign and implementation.