Technical University Of Kenya Library, TU-K has installed a new bio-metric system with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This ranks the institution among the few universities which have acquired the latest technology used in library security systems to control access. The machine restricts entry into the library to only registered users. The thumb prints are uploaded into the system for confirmation purposes.
While launching the facility, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Aduol said that this marked a milestone for the university in moving from manual to digital catalogue.
RFID-based technology is a versatile system, enabling users to access books and journals wherever they are. The system combines security with more efficient tracking capacity of materials throughout the library, including easier and faster charge and discharge, inventory, and material handling.
TU-K library has witnessed a great transformation in recent years both in collection development and in the service delivery. It has subscribed to Electronic-books and journals. The VC noted that electronic resources are invaluable research tools that complement the print-based resources in a traditional library setting. He said that he was pleased the library currently works in a modern way.
Prof. Aduol challenged students and staff to develop passion for reading and encouraged them to utilise the library. “I believe this will make an impact in the lives of many library users mostly students and teaching staff,” he noted.
The VC directed executive Deans to take charge of their Departments, appoint a library representative whose role will be specifically to give titles of the books required to the librarian, and ensure that they are purchased. This he emphasised, will promote the culture of reading hence move the university to higher academic standards.
He noted that he was keen on seeing how the equipment works and asked staff at the library, to remain vigilant, utilise the system and ensure that the books are not tempered with. He also asked them to bring on board major publishers. The VC disclosed that the university has a long term plan of establishing a bigger library so that the current one remains a special one.
“Our aim is to go electronic as much as possible. However, the university is still committed to buying more books as hard copies,” he said. He was accompanied by DVC- ARS, Prof. Paul Shiundu, DVC-API, Prof. Joseph Kiplang’at, Executive Deans and Director, Library and Learning Resources, Ms. Sarah Kibugi.
Digital Institutional Repository
It is an online system used for collecting, preserving, and disseminating digital copies of the intellectual output of an institution. One can easily refer to projects that had been presented earlier by the students.
American Reference Centre Rotating Collection
The library has received the second consignment of the American collection in various subjects, this is very popular with users.
The E-resources Week
Last year the library organized an E-resources week for the University community. It was meant to create awareness on the available scholarly information not held locally. TU-K partnered with various publishers such as Elsevier, Springer, Emerald and Project Muse. The sponsorship was in form of branded pens, mouse pads, flash disks and book marks.
E-resources can be accessed from any computer on campus, any time. Each electronic resource can be searched quickly and easily through the complete full text of articles and via online index and appear online before printed version is available at high speeds.
Hypertext format should be exploited and links to related articles, information on other web sites, stable URLs for individual articles and email alerts when any latest issue is loaded. The library organized a one day workshop for writers and was attended by members of staff and students.
Library and Learning Resource Services
TU-K Library
Visit TU-K Library Website(link is external)
Instituional Repository
An Institutional Repository (IR) is a digital service that collects, preserves, and distributes digital material. It serves as the home for the intellectual output of TUKenya academic communities, and will ultimately include digital dissertations, faculty publications, digital special collections, open access publications, open educational resources and much more. Visit the Repository