Information retrieval tools apropos of library utilization at YMCA Comprehensive Institute

Abstract

Information retrieval tools apropos of library utilization at the YMCA comprehensive institute. The study investigated if information retrieval tools are used, how they are used and how their usage has led to the library utilization at YMCA Comprehensive institute. The study sought to establish the user knowledge and awareness of the existing information retrieval tools. To arrive to the findings of this study, a data collection process was considered and later all received data was analyzed by use of both the qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative approach was applied for all non-value complexities in data while the quantitative approach was applied for all the value and fraction based data. The interview guide and the focus group discussion guide were the data collection tools for qualitative approach well as the observation guide and questionnaire data collection tools worked for the quantitative approach. It was established that the library had at least four functional tools for user information retrieval existing both in a manual and electronic system. The main users of these tools were the degree students and other student users utilized afternoon hours 12pm-2pm through the week days and maximum occupation of the facility was through examination times. Electronic IRTs like OPAC were not fully utilized because of low user awareness and the lack of most of the courses’ information material on this platform. Most of the challenges to IRTs full usage were external influences above the library’s jurisdiction. It was concluded that this library lacked enough IRTs user awareness and that away from this, much needed to do with the institution’s administrative orchestration. We recommend that the library staff should seek a way to work hand in hand with the institution’s administration in order for the administration to understand the role and character of a functional library and as well seek for proper library visibility by timely awareness to users of its existence and tools available for easy information retrieval practices.