Kenyatta University Library

Kenyatta University Library; Kenyatta University Library – Details:

Mission, Vision & Objectives

The vision of the Library

To be a centre of excellence in the provision of library and information services to Kenyatta University and the global community.

Mission Statement of the University Library

To provide a dynamic and quality user-centred library and information services that enhance teaching, learning and research while inculcating life-long learning skills and fostering human development.

Our purpose

The Library brings high quality, scholarly information resources and services to the Kenyatta University Community.

Values

The Library acknowledges and is committed to the values of Kenyatta University: truth, excellence, self-reliance, innovation, professionalism, quality and relevance. In demonstrating this commitment we ensure that:

Our clients are at the core of all we do
We distinguish ourselves through service excellence that recognizes our clients’ needs and diversity
Our staff are a valued resource
Together, we pride ourselves on our ability to accept challenges and deliver results that enhance the quality of service

Objectives of the Library

Selecting, acquiring and organizing relevant and up-to-date information resources in all formats appropriate to the information needs of the university.
Establishing, promoting and maintaining a wide range of services and dissemination strategies that support the academic programmes of the University and encourage optimum exploitation of the resources of the library.
Continuously conduct information literacy and orientation to users through a variety of methods in order to provide guidance on use of the library’s collection and inculcate lifelong information skills
Developing and retaining qualified, experienced and dedicated professional library staff who will offer high-quality services to the users of the library.
Adopting technologies that will make information resources accessible to the University community in an equitable, efficient and effective manner.
Organize and preserve locally produced knowledge within KU and provide access anywhere and at any time.
Provide a secure and conducive learning environment for use of library resources.

Library Departments

The Post-Modern Library is conveniently organized into Subject Libraries on every floor giving the users easy access to the information they seek.

Subject Libraries

Ground Floor – Education & Information Science Subject Library
First Floor – Social Science Subject Library
Second Floor – Humanities Subject Library
Third Floor – Science & Technology Subject Library
Fourth Floor – Research & Special Collection Library
Fifth Floor – Research Commons (For Post-graduates and Staff)

Each floor has a Subject Library Counter which provides Information Services on the subject area except the Fifth floor. Other services availed across the counter include:

Access to Back Issues of Newspapers
Magazines & Reviews

Rules & Regulations

REGISTRATION
Persons who wish to use the Library must be registered as members

All persons registered as University Library members are required to abide by these regulations.
The University Librarian may suspend from the use of the library any person breaking these Regulations.

DISCIPLINE

Order and silence must be maintained at all times in the Library.
Smoking, eating, drinking and sleeping in the Library is prohibited.
Briefcases, bags, overcoats, hats, umbrellas, etc, are not allowed in the library.
All persons entering the library must show their university ID.
All persons leaving the library must show all their documents to the Security staff at the exit.
Stealing or attempting to steal a library document or any of the library property is an offence. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the offender.
The library will not take responsibility for the loss or damage of personal property left in the reading and baggage areas.
Mobile phones and other devices likely to cause disturbances should not be used in the library unless their use is silent.
Ink bottles, paints etc, which may accidentally damage library materials are not allowed into the library.
Damage to library materials, equipment, property, or building is prohibited and must be reported immediately to a member of library staff. Those responsible must pay for the damage.
The Library reserves the right to ask any person to stop using computer equipment if the library staff has reasonable grounds to believe that that person is misusing it.
Computers are provided for the purpose of research and other educational endeavours. Misuse of the facilities e.g. game playing, e-trade, hacking, change of PC or Network settings is prohibited.

BORROWING

Borrowing is restricted to registered members
Library members are responsible for the loss or damage of library materials in their possession. They will be required to pay for the loss or damage at a cost to be determined.
Library materials are not to be taken out of the library unless they are properly issued.
Marking, defacing or mutilation of any library material is prohibited
Most books in the library may be borrowed but Reference books, Journals, etc, may only be taken out of the library with authority of the relevant Head Librarian.
Loaned items may not be transferred from one borrower to another but must be returned to the library for re-issuing.
The university ID must be produced when borrowing and returning library items.

LOANS

Registered members can borrow materials as indicated:

Academic staff: 10 items
Post-Graduates: 10 items
Undergraduates: 7 items
Staff Grades A-F: 6 items
Staff Grades I-IV: 4 items

LOAN PERIODS

Registered members are allowed to keep borrowed items for the period indicated below

University Staff: 4 weeks
Postgraduates: 4 weeks
School-Based: 4 weeks
Undergraduates: 2 weeks

PENALTIES

Borrowed library materials not returned after the due date attract fines
Borrowing rights may be withdrawn from persons who persistently keep library materials overdue.

FINES

Fines of Ksh.2/= for each subsequent day will be charged for books returned late on a long loan.
Fines of Ksh.5/= for each subsequent hour will be charged for books returned late from Short Loan.

CLEARANCE

All registered members of the library must clear with the University Library at the expiry of their membership.

COPYRIGHT

There is a copyright protection law on most of the library materials. Deliberate infringement on this law e.g. unauthorized copying, is a criminal offense. All users of electronic information resources must abide by the terms of the appropriate licenses. However, permissible copying limits as per Copyright Act may be made for academic purposes. All users of library materials must observe these limits in the Library premises or elsewhere.

Rules And Regulations Governing The Use Of Laptops To Access The Library Wireless Network

Laptops should only be used in designated areas.
Users of Laptops must maintain order and avoid distracting other users.
The University Library accepts no responsibility for loss of laptop, data or software therein.
Laptops can be used to access the Library wireless facility but must not be directly connected to the University Campus network, Library computers or any other device without prior approval.
Access must only be for purposes declared which are in line with the users’ academic, research and/or learning programs of Kenyatta University.
Users should not use laptops to access e-mail, play games, watching movies, play music, etc.
If any abuse/non-compliance is discovered/detected, the connection privileges will be terminated with immediate effect and disciplinary action taken.
All other Library rules and regulations apply

Lending Services

This facilitates the equitable circulation of information resources among all users.

Information materials borrowed on regular loans are all issued at the circulation section.

Short loan materials are issued from the Circulation Section and at the Education Subject Counter

Lending Regulations and penalties

Only registered students of Kenyatta University and Staff are entitled to borrow materials.
All library users MUST produce their Student /Staff identification card before borrowing any information material.
Lost or mutilated information materials on loan will be replaced at the market cost of the information materials plus KSh. 500. processing charges.
Information materials borrowed on a regular loan and not returned on the due date will be charged KSh. 5/= on the 1st day and KSh. 2/= for the rest of the days.
Information Borrowed on short loan and not returned on time will be charged Ksh. 5/= per hour.

Recall of Materials on Loan
The Librarian may recall any information material on loan from a user by a notice which shall specify return of the same. If a user does not return the item as specified, he shall incur a fine of Kshs. 5 per book per day.

Photocopy

Photocopy services are offered at the following rates: Photocopy- KSh. 2/= per page. This is done within the permissible copying limits as per Copyright Act.

Electronic Services

The library subscribes to e-books and e-journals which can be accessed from all Library computer labs. These can also be accessed from the library if a user has a laptop through wireless connectivity.

E-Services