Welcome to the Department of Library and Information Science.

The Department of Library and Information Science is one of the seven departments in the School of Education. Since its inception in the 1984/85 academic year, the Department has steadily grown to offer programs right from diplomas to Ph.D. Its vibrancy has led to its growth both infrastructure-wise and in students and staff numbers.

The Department aims to be a center of excellence in the training of information science professionals by providing high quality education through teaching and research that is innovative, creative and is based on sound moral values. These guiding principles have enabled The Department to attract both local and international students who after graduation practice in varied information-based institutions in various capacities. Some of our graduates are employed by institutions such as the United Nations, hospitals, judiciary, law firms, insurance firms, banks, Kenya Revenue Authority, libraries and the records center, the National Museums of Kenya, and in government institutions just but to name a few. The teaching staff members have a wide range of research interests and continue to engage in world-class research in their areas.

As the Chair of the Department, I take this opportunity to welcome all to Kenyatta University and to the Department of Library and Information Science where we believe in giving all “an equal chance to realize their full potential.”

HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Library and Information Science was established in 1984/85 Academic Year and started offering library science programmes the same year. This was in response to a request by the Ministry of Education which had identified the need to have tutors of primary teacher colleges pursuing the Master of Education, Primary Teacher Education (M.Ed. PTE) degree who were being trained in the then Kenyatta University College to gain some knowledge on how to establish and run school libraries. This knowledge was meant to be passed on to primary teacher Trainees who would in turn be in a position to establish and run libraries in primary schools where they were later posted. This programme was later followed by a similar one for tutors for diploma colleges (M.Ed. T.D.C). The two programmes were later discontinued after the Ministry of Education attained the required number of tutors for the teacher training colleges.

Kenyatta University then started a Master of Library and Information Science Degree programme immediately. This was later followed by a Bachelor of Education (Library Science) degree programme in 1990/91 in which students took education, teaching subjects and Library science. This was later followed by a Bachelor of Library & Information Science degree programme. Currently, the department is offering diplomas, Bachelor degrees, masters’ degrees as well as Doctor of Philosophy Degree. Graduates of this Department are serving in various responsible positions within and outside Kenya. Some are heading university libraries, public libraries, government departmental libraries, other special libraries and information centers while others are serving in other capacities such as lecturers in universities and other institutions. In short, the graduates of this department are quite marketable.

FUNDAMENTAL GUIDING STATEMENTS AND OBJECTIVES

Vision Statement

To be a center of excellence in the training of library and information science professionals.

Mission statement

To provide high quality education through teaching and research that is innovative, creative and is based on sound moral values.

Philosophy statement

To give each one in the department an equal chance to realize their full potential.

Objectives

The objectives of the Department are to:

(i) Create an equal opportunity for all who are qualified to pursue university education in the field of library and Information Science

(ii) Enhance the level of research and dissemination of knowledge in the field of library and information science for the benefit of the profession and society.

(iii) Continually update the teaching programmes in the light of changes in technology, emergence of new knowledge and demands of the labour market.

(iv) Provide guidance, leadership and consultancy in the field of library and information science.

Underlying core values guiding the strategic plan

To propel the functions within the mandate of the Department, the following core values will be used:

(i) Excellence: To achieve its vision, the department is committed to embrace excellence in teaching and research.

(ii) Innovation: The department will inculcate a culture of innovation among its graduates.

(iii) Truth: The department will promote and encourage free expression of thoughts and opinions in its faculty and students and a commitment to seek and value truth.

(iv) Competitiveness: The department shall endeavor to offer attractive and competitive teaching programmes that will make it the department of choice in the library and information science field.

Our members of staff and Postgraduate have Researches in areas of organisation and management of academic, public, school and special libraries in Kenya. Challenges posed by technological developments have also been researched on.

Research areas for Doctorate students

1.         Mr. E.W. Muya

Cognition Information Seeking behavior Among Graduate Students in Using Library and Information Services in Kenyatta University, Kenya.

2.         J.R. Njuguna

Fostering Reading habits as a Strategy for the Enhancement of Agricultural Production in Selected Districts of Murang’a County-Kenya.

3.         Zipporah Wanjiku Gichuhi

Determinants of effective knowledge management practices in selected university libraries in Kenya.

4.         Mr. Michael Mukuvi

Using the Gap Model to assess users’ perception of service quality levels in academic libraries:  A case of Moi Library, Kenyatta University and USIU Library.

5.         Rose W. Njoroge

An Investigation on disaster Mitigation and Preparedness for Computer based Information systems in Selected University Libraries in Kenya.

6.         Peter W. Wamae

Implementation of Electronic Medical Records in Kenya public Hospitals:  Challenges and opportunities

  Masters Students research areas

1.         Doughlas Achoki Nyong’a

Factors Influencing Reading habits of Day secondary School Students in Kisii County, Kenya.

2.         Edwin Bosis Boit

An Evaluation of School Library Information Resources and Services:  A case study of secondary schools in Mt. Elgon district, Bungoma County, Kenya

3.         Osinyo Charity

Chalenges of accessing librry and Informaiton services for persons with disabilities in University libraries in Meru country, Kenya

4.         Ubaga M. Ephrine

Barriers to adoption of clound computing technology for information management in university libraries in Kenya:  A case study of Daystar University Library

5.         Martha Msathenge

Determinants of Information Seeking Behaviour of Nurses in Kenyatta University Hospital and Mathari Hospital

6.         Jane Chepkirui

The status of Staffing of Libraries in Secondary Schools in Kericho County,

Kenya

7.         James Njue Mutegi

The Impact of Professional Qualifications of user education tutors on library user education in PI Teachers Colleges in Kenya.

We have full time lecturers who hold masters degree in Information Science and related areas and also Ph.D. in Information Science.

Staff Profiles

• Dr. Peter W. Wamae - Chair
• Dr. Martin Gichugu – Examination Coordinator
• Dr. Charles Kamau Maina 
• Dr. Daniel W. Muthee
• Dr. Caroline Mutwiri
• Dr. Grace Kimani

• Dr. Harriet Kamau

• Dr. Milka Mathu

• Dr. Rose Njoroge

• Dr. Zipporah Gichuhi

• Dr. Gitau Njoroge

External Examiner

• Prof. Joseph Kiplagat

For more information about the department and programmes contact the chairman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Ext. 3525/3524.

P. O. Box 43844-00100. Nairobi

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