Evaluating access and use of library information resources among students at rift valley national polytechnic, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Academic libraries play a critical role in supporting teaching, learning, and research within higher education. With the increasing prevalence of digital technologies, libraries now provide both physical and digital resources, including e-journals, databases, and e-books. However, students often make limited use of these resources. This gap between availability and actual use highlights the need to understand what influences students’ engagement with library materials. Without such understanding, libraries may struggle to fully support academic success. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate access to and use of library information resources for academic success among students at Rift Valley National Polytechnic (RVNP) .The specific objectives of the study were: establish the availability of information resources at Rift Valley National Polytechnic library to meet students' information needs, examine the access and utilization of library information resources among students at Rift Valley National Polytechnic Library to fulfill their information needs and to analyze Library users’ experiences and satisfaction with the information resources at Rift Valley National Polytechnic in meeting their academic information needs. The research employed the Expectation Confirmation Theory and adopted a mixed-methods approach. The study population comprised 2025 RVNP students, from which a stratified random sample of 206 students was selected, along with one librarian for an interview. Data collection involved student questionnaires and a face-to-face interview with the librarian. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis. The results indicate that print information sources remain the primary information resource in TVET libraries, with limited availability of electronic resources. The study recommends increased investment in electronic resources and digital infrastructure to remain relevant in today's technologically driven environment.