Libraries form an integral part of the university physical learning landscape. Advances in techno... more Libraries form an integral part of the university physical learning landscape. Advances in technology, the emergence of student-centred pedagogy and the changing campus demography have caused academic libraries across the world to reconsider the design of their spaces. This study undertook a qualitative assessment of physical library learning spaces in selected Kenyan universities with regard to their suitability for twenty-first century learning. Data collected through interviews with librarians and student library users, indicates that the spaces provided are basic and barely support student learning needs and expectations. The spaces are modelled around collections with the traditional view of libraries as information repositories taking centre stage. The study recommends a repurposing of Kenyan academic library spaces to enable support for a wider spectrum of learning needs and preferences. Specifically, academic libraries should consider managing their collections differently with a view to expand learner spaces, they should develop a good understanding of students and their needs, and work towards infusing variety in the learning spaces for increased inclusivity and sustained relevance.
Libraries have evolved over time in tandem with the prevailing innovations. This is evidenced by ... more Libraries have evolved over time in tandem with the prevailing innovations. This is evidenced by the changes witnessed from the time writing was done on clay tablets to the virtual libraries of today. Technological advancement has been a key pillar of the development of libraries. Indeed, it has given rise to digital libraries that have given access and use of information resources a new focus. Technological developments such as Web 2.0, and specifically social media as well as social networking, have enabled users to access creative works in digital libraries freely. Similarly, they have enabled library users to share the same content freely on social networks. This situation has brought a conflict with copyright laws that require users of creative works to seek permission from their owners before accessing or sharing them. This chapter analyses this conflict and provides recommendations on how it can be managed.
This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educatio... more This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educational and national development. It acknowledges that education is not only a capital investment in the development of human resources but it also immensely contributes to the development of a nation. However, educational development cannot be achieved without support services such as books in all fields and in a language that is readily understood by many people. This paper shows that Swahili, the national and co-official language of Kenya, can play an important role in the production of educational publications. It explores the extent of publishing in Swahili and other African languages for various educational levels in Kenya, namely children’s books, school textbooks, tertiary level, special education, adult education and fiction. While appreciating that there exist few publications in Swahili, this paper argues that Kenya stands to gain a lot if she assigns Swahili a larger role, but it...
This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educatio... more This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educational and national development. It acknowledges that education is not only a capital investment in the development of human resources but it also immensely contributes to the development of a nation. However, educational development cannot be achieved without support services such as books in all fields and in a language that is readily understood by many people. This paper shows that Swahili, the national and co-official language of Kenya, can play an important role in the production of educational publications. It explores the extent of publishing in Swahili and other African languages for various educational levels in Kenya, namely children’s books, school textbooks, tertiary level, special education, adult education and fiction. While appreciating that there exist few publications in Swahili, this paper argues that Kenya stands to gain a lot if she assigns Swahili a larger role, but it...
DOI: 10.21276/sjebm.2017.4.11.3 Abstract: This paper is an analysis of personnel records in human... more DOI: 10.21276/sjebm.2017.4.11.3 Abstract: This paper is an analysis of personnel records in human resource management at Uasin Gishu County Government. It seeks to answer the question: what policies are in existence for the creation and management of personnel records? Personnel records are the most essential tools in the management of human resources in an organization, they form the basis of accountability of funds and skills required to perform tasks. The study was motivated by the need to improve on the management of personnel records, to ensure that information about employees is available to take decisions and protect their rights. The aim of the study was to analyze the use of personnel records in human resource management and to propose appropriate ways in which human resource management can be enhanced. The objective of the study is to establish what records management policies exist in creation and management of personnel records. The findings of the study revealed that re...
This study aimed to propose a framework for the provision of information to the visually impaired... more This study aimed to propose a framework for the provision of information to the visually impaired in compliance with the Marrakesh Treaty. Its objectives were to examine copyright-related challenges in accessing copyrighted information; identify strategies to improve access to copyrighted information in compliance with the Marrakesh Treaty; and propose a framework for the provision of information to the visually impaired in in compliance with the Marrakesh Treaty. The study targeted university librarians and library users with visual impairments. Interviews were used to collect data and were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the challenges include the unavailability of appropriate policies and the high costs and problems involved in accessing copyright consent. Among the strategies to improve access to copyrighted information include role reallocation in libraries, training and creating awareness of the Marrakesh Treaty among all stakeholders. The study concluded wit...
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the copyright law in relation to access to informa... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the copyright law in relation to access to information by persons with visual impairments. It assesses the barriers placed by the copyright law on access to information by the visually impaired persons, and then the exceptions and limitations therein with a specific focus on Marrakesh treaty. It further explores the benefits conveyed by the Marrakesh treaty in relation to the challenges. Finally, the paper makes suggestions on methods that can be employed to make the Marrakesh treaty benefit the persons with visual impairments to the fullest.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the copyright law and its requirements in relation to reproduction of copyrighted works, and then narrows down to the provisions of Marrakesh treaty as an exception in the copyright law. It then reviews existing literature on the challenges caused by copyright requirements on access to information by persons with visual impairments. Having looked at these...
Libraries form an integral part of the university physical learning landscape. Advances in techno... more Libraries form an integral part of the university physical learning landscape. Advances in technology, the emergence of student-centred pedagogy and the changing campus demography have caused academic libraries across the world to reconsider the design of their spaces. This study undertook a qualitative assessment of physical library learning spaces in selected Kenyan universities with regard to their suitability for twenty-first century learning. Data collected through interviews with librarians and student library users, indicates that the spaces provided are basic and barely support student learning needs and expectations. The spaces are modelled around collections with the traditional view of libraries as information repositories taking centre stage. The study recommends a repurposing of Kenyan academic library spaces to enable support for a wider spectrum of learning needs and preferences. Specifically, academic libraries should consider managing their collections differently with a view to expand learner spaces, they should develop a good understanding of students and their needs, and work towards infusing variety in the learning spaces for increased inclusivity and sustained relevance.
Libraries have evolved over time in tandem with the prevailing innovations. This is evidenced by ... more Libraries have evolved over time in tandem with the prevailing innovations. This is evidenced by the changes witnessed from the time writing was done on clay tablets to the virtual libraries of today. Technological advancement has been a key pillar of the development of libraries. Indeed, it has given rise to digital libraries that have given access and use of information resources a new focus. Technological developments such as Web 2.0, and specifically social media as well as social networking, have enabled users to access creative works in digital libraries freely. Similarly, they have enabled library users to share the same content freely on social networks. This situation has brought a conflict with copyright laws that require users of creative works to seek permission from their owners before accessing or sharing them. This chapter analyses this conflict and provides recommendations on how it can be managed.
This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educatio... more This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educational and national development. It acknowledges that education is not only a capital investment in the development of human resources but it also immensely contributes to the development of a nation. However, educational development cannot be achieved without support services such as books in all fields and in a language that is readily understood by many people. This paper shows that Swahili, the national and co-official language of Kenya, can play an important role in the production of educational publications. It explores the extent of publishing in Swahili and other African languages for various educational levels in Kenya, namely children’s books, school textbooks, tertiary level, special education, adult education and fiction. While appreciating that there exist few publications in Swahili, this paper argues that Kenya stands to gain a lot if she assigns Swahili a larger role, but it...
This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educatio... more This paper argues the case for more educational publications in Swahili as a good medium educational and national development. It acknowledges that education is not only a capital investment in the development of human resources but it also immensely contributes to the development of a nation. However, educational development cannot be achieved without support services such as books in all fields and in a language that is readily understood by many people. This paper shows that Swahili, the national and co-official language of Kenya, can play an important role in the production of educational publications. It explores the extent of publishing in Swahili and other African languages for various educational levels in Kenya, namely children’s books, school textbooks, tertiary level, special education, adult education and fiction. While appreciating that there exist few publications in Swahili, this paper argues that Kenya stands to gain a lot if she assigns Swahili a larger role, but it...
DOI: 10.21276/sjebm.2017.4.11.3 Abstract: This paper is an analysis of personnel records in human... more DOI: 10.21276/sjebm.2017.4.11.3 Abstract: This paper is an analysis of personnel records in human resource management at Uasin Gishu County Government. It seeks to answer the question: what policies are in existence for the creation and management of personnel records? Personnel records are the most essential tools in the management of human resources in an organization, they form the basis of accountability of funds and skills required to perform tasks. The study was motivated by the need to improve on the management of personnel records, to ensure that information about employees is available to take decisions and protect their rights. The aim of the study was to analyze the use of personnel records in human resource management and to propose appropriate ways in which human resource management can be enhanced. The objective of the study is to establish what records management policies exist in creation and management of personnel records. The findings of the study revealed that re...
This study aimed to propose a framework for the provision of information to the visually impaired... more This study aimed to propose a framework for the provision of information to the visually impaired in compliance with the Marrakesh Treaty. Its objectives were to examine copyright-related challenges in accessing copyrighted information; identify strategies to improve access to copyrighted information in compliance with the Marrakesh Treaty; and propose a framework for the provision of information to the visually impaired in in compliance with the Marrakesh Treaty. The study targeted university librarians and library users with visual impairments. Interviews were used to collect data and were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that the challenges include the unavailability of appropriate policies and the high costs and problems involved in accessing copyright consent. Among the strategies to improve access to copyrighted information include role reallocation in libraries, training and creating awareness of the Marrakesh Treaty among all stakeholders. The study concluded wit...
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the copyright law in relation to access to informa... more PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the copyright law in relation to access to information by persons with visual impairments. It assesses the barriers placed by the copyright law on access to information by the visually impaired persons, and then the exceptions and limitations therein with a specific focus on Marrakesh treaty. It further explores the benefits conveyed by the Marrakesh treaty in relation to the challenges. Finally, the paper makes suggestions on methods that can be employed to make the Marrakesh treaty benefit the persons with visual impairments to the fullest.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviews the copyright law and its requirements in relation to reproduction of copyrighted works, and then narrows down to the provisions of Marrakesh treaty as an exception in the copyright law. It then reviews existing literature on the challenges caused by copyright requirements on access to information by persons with visual impairments. Having looked at these...
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