The use of social media in the dissemination of information in selected public and private university libraries in Kenya

Abstract

Effective use of social media in university libraries is important if these libraries have to play their central role in the university and to fulfill their primary responsibility of assisting users in the process of transforming information to knowledge. Traditionally university libraries have been seen as the "heart of the university" serving the academic community of its parent institution. Today university libraries need a communication strategy which is cost effective and convenient to users. University libraries are seeking for visibility by creating awareness of their resources and services. As libraries yearn to remain relevant with contemporary audiences, social media are viewed as important tools for enticing and retaining patrons who are already familiar with and immersed into the world of new ways of networking. This paper explores the prevalence and use of social media in the dissemination of information in university libraries in Kenya.