Mention digital library and what you get are blank stares. Most people are used to library that is stocked with books.
But make no mistake,if the experience KENET technical team had when they paid a visit to The Kenya National Library is anything to go by then Internet it seems is the next big thing. People seated in designated places using their computers is the sight that captured our eyes.
A brief interview with student reveal that they are very comfortable with the speed of Internet access. One end user in fact concedes that he is comfortable with the speed. A speed test by the KENET team however reveal that the speed is adequate enough to help the library users with their research.
According to Mr. Olala, Information Technology technician, at the library the Internet is purely restricted to academic research and as such all the other social networks like face book and the likes have been blocked to ensure that the band width is adequately utilized. At the library the Internet is absolutely free.
Asked whether the the library is ready to embrace the wireless access Mr. Olala expressed optimism that the library was in the process of implementing the wireless access.
To demonstrate how the library is catching up with the latest trend in technology Mr. Olala takes us through the E-resource on their website. Here we meet a myriad of the resources. Among the E-resources are HIV/AIDS directory,Kenyan laws online,Directory of open access journals,Social science research network,world bank resources,directories and encyclopedia.
Background
Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) Board is a state corporation under the Ministry of State for National Heritage and Culture. The Board was established by an Act of Parliament Cap 225 of the Laws of Kenya (1965) to provide library and information services to the Kenyan public. The Board is mandated by the Act to: promote, establish, equip, manage, maintain and develop libraries in Kenya. To date, a network of 58 branch libraries have been established countrywide.
KNLS appreciates that in the fast changing global environment, information is a vital resource for decision making at all levels of development. This is particularly so in today’s knowledge based economies, that calls for the timely provision and use of relevant and reliable data and information. Thus, Kenya’s achievement of a globally competitive and prosperous country, with high quality of life for all citizens by the year 2030, will extremely depend on easily accessible information sources and resources. Only informed citizens can monitor and evaluate various development programmes and make informed decisions.