| dc.description.abstract | Responsiveness to disruptive forces is a participatory role for all stakeholders including
university libraries. However, the role of university librarians in Meru County in
responding to disruptive forces has been slow and marred with some sort of
unpreparedness. This study aimed to assess the strategic responsiveness of university
libraries in Meru County, Kenya to disruptive forces. To do this, the study examined
the technology responsive measures, cooperation initiatives, capacity building
programs and resource sharing initiatives pursued by university libraries in the county.
The study was guided by technological organization environment theory and
organization theory. It used qualitative approach and employed a survey research
design. The target population was the senior library staff in the two university libraries.
Unit of analysis was Kenya Methodist University and Meru University of Science and
Technology university libraries and unit of observation was 15 university library staff;
specifically, 2 university library heads and 13 heads of library sections. Data was
collected through interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis; then
analyzed using content analysis and thematic categorization in relation to the state of
responsiveness of university libraries to disruptive forces and their implications on
policies and practices. The study findings indicate that libraries have adopted
technology-based measures such as e-library software, anti-plagiarism solutions and
social media channels to improve communication with library users. Another finding is
that library management provides support in terms of budgetary allocation, stakeholder
involvement in decision making, implementation of staff capacity building programs,
and moderation of partnerships between libraries and the different faculties. The
findings revealed good working relation between library staff, faculty members and
students in terms of their receptiveness and willingness to cooperate on resource
sharing. The study concluded that university libraries have taken moderate measures in
responding to disruptive forces through leveraging on technology, cooperation
initiatives, capacity building programs and resource sharing initiatives. The university
management have employed skilled library staff who are capable of adapting to a new
technological environment, although there is a need for refresher training to enable
them adapt to the new technological landscape. The recommendation is that libraries
review their cooperation and resource sharing policy with other libraries to improve on
procedures, processes and information exchange. Another recommendation is that
library management need to provide adequate budgetary allocation to support staff
training, community engagement, and acquisition of library resources. Further, libraries
are supposed to leverage on disruptive forces to enhance their operating efficiencies,
adaptability to the changing environment, innovation and staff development. The study
is valuable in contributing new knowledge in the theory aspects of librarianship | en_US |
