The establishment of audio visual materials in university libraries in developing countries: with reference to the University of Nairobi library, Kenya

Abstract

It has become increasingly obvious that university libraries need audiovisual materials to support research and teaching. Chapters one and two provide an insight into the problem and setting of the study. The U.K experience has been analysed in the third and fourth chapters covering organizational options and problems; evaluation, promotional activities and resource implicactions such as manpower and finance. The study has also attempted in the fifth chapter to determine what librarians in the university and polytechnic libraries visited believe about the place of audiovisual materials in the spectrum of library resources. In the sixth chapter, through juxtaposition, it has been attempted to find out whether the same rationale for their development in the U.K. libraries would be applicable to university libraries in developing countries with special reference to those in Kenya. The impact which an audiovisual service would have upon the University of Nairobi library services has been examined. A description of some of the problems which would have to be resolved in planning to embark on establishing such collections has been outlined.The implementation of audiovisual services requires that needs be assessed and the users to which they are aimed at, problems identified and corrections taken to correct them. Developing countries must not only create indigenous audiovisual materials, but they must also consider seriously methods of effectively evaluating and promoting them. The last chapter draws together some of the possible lines for the future action which have been suggested. Major re-thinking on the part of the existing librarians and universities in order to prevent failure is emphasised. It is tentatively concluded that there is no widespread agreement as to how these materials should be organized or managed. The process is arbitrary provided that the set objectives are efficiently and effectively achieved through a planned, well thought development.