Rejuvenating Kenyan Academic Library Services in the post-COVID-19 era

Abstract

Academic libraries in Kenya have invested heavily in subscribing to electronic resources through the Kenya Library Information Services Consortium (KLISC), an attempt has been made to install relevant technological infrastructure and to some extent ensured the utilisation of digital services and resources to meet the needs of their clientele. However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed a special challenge to physical library services. Academic institutions were forced to close down to reduce the spread of the virus and fully provide their services online. This paper explores the interventions academic libraries applied to provide their services during COVID-19 era with a view of rejuvenating library services in the post-COVID-19 era in Kenya. A systematic literature review was used a methodology for the study. The review of online published articles on academic libraries operations and services provision amidst COVID-19 pandemic was conducted with a view to identifying global interventions to help rejuvenate academic library services in Kenya in post COVID-19 era. Findings of this study shows thatglobally, academic libraries adopted varied online strategies to provide services. Some of these include, document delivery via email, use of VPN to access online resources, mobile apps, webbased live chat, interactive social media platforms and online meeting applications such as google class, google meet, zoom, webinars. The finding provides key insights to varied media utilized in library operations and services. Challenge that hindered optimum utilisation of the service include lack of adequate information technology infrastructure and devices, limited budgets, insufficient digital competences, and inadequate digital policies. This paper recommends development of library digital policies on use of digital resources, re-prioritize enhanced library budgets to increase eservices provision, build capacity of library staff and users and invest in appropriate IT infrastructure in order to reposition library services appropriately in the post COVID-19 era and beyond (Keywords: Academic libraries; COVID-19 pandemic; Digital literacy; Digital library; ICT in Libraries)