Status of Ecclesiastical Libraries in Major Seminaries in Kenya in Meeting Information Needs of Seminarians

ABSTRACT 

There is a natural and indispensable human need for information and so do Catholic seminarians have information needs to quench their quest for knowledge. Ecclesiastical seminary library within the context of a seminary is an institution meant to meet information needs of seminarians. In order to meet their (seminarians) information needs, ecclesiastical seminary libraries must be well equipped, with sound and current collection of information sources, adopt, and integrate the use of ICT equipment and have an experienced and qualified staff. In this study, the researcher endeavoured to survey the current status of ecclesiastical major seminary libraries in Kenya in meeting information needs of seminarians in terms of their collection, use of ICT and staffing. A total of 100 seminarians and 10 librarians working in ecclesiastical seminary libraries from the sampled seminaries participated in the study. Questionnaires and interview guides were used as instruments of data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data and the findings were presented thematically according to the objectives of the study. The study established that majority of the information needs of seminarians pertain to academics. According to the findings, the researcher established that there is a clear disparity between diocesan seminaries and the religious seminaries in terms of collection development, use of ICT and staffing. The findings also showed that all the libraries faced budgetary challenges though in a varying manner. The study was guided by the fact that despite the call by the Pontifical Commission for the Cultural Patrimony of the Church for an evaluation of the status of all ecclesiastical libraries, the authorities concerned with seminarian formation in Kenya admitted that there had never been such a research and therefore no information was available with regard to the status of ecclesiastical libraries in major seminaries in Kenya. With findings revealing an existing disparity between the diocesan and religious seminaries, the researcher recommends the creation of ecclesiastical seminary libraries consortium in order to better their services.