Information Resource Management is a core function in Library and Information Management, focusing on efficiently organizing, acquiring, and providing access to information resources to meet users' needs. In Kenyan libraries, understanding the nature of information and the specific information needs of diverse user groups is essential for delivering relevant and timely services. This chapter explores foundational concepts such as the definition of information and information needs, as well as practical methods for identifying and analyzing user information requirements in various library settings.

1.0 Introduction to library information resources

Libraries in Kenya serve a wide range of users, including students, researchers, professionals, and the general public, each with unique information demands. Proper management of information resources ensures that libraries remain responsive and relevant in a rapidly changing information environment. This section clarifies key concepts related to information and information needs, providing a basis for effective resource management.

1.0.1 Definition of terms

Understanding the term information is fundamental for library professionals as it shapes how resources are selected, organized, and delivered. Information can be defined as processed data that is meaningful and useful for decision-making, learning, or problem-solving. For example, in a university library, information includes scholarly articles, textbooks, and databases that support academic research.

Definition of Information

• Processed Data: Information originates from raw data that has been interpreted or structured to provide meaning, such as a research report summarizing survey results at a county health office.
• Contextual Relevance: Information must be relevant to the user's context, like agricultural data tailored for farmers in Kericho County.
• Medium Independence: Information can exist in various formats including print, digital, audio, and visual, for example, e-books accessed through a mobile phone by students in remote areas.
• Purposeful: It serves a specific purpose such as informing policy, supporting learning, or facilitating decision-making in institutions like the Kenya Revenue Authority.
• Dynamic Nature: Information evolves over time, requiring libraries to continuously update resources, such as new editions of legal texts for law students at Strathmore University.

Definition of Information Needs

Information needs refer to the specific requirements or gaps in knowledge that users seek to fill through accessing information resources. Recognizing these needs helps libraries tailor their collections and services effectively.

• Problem-Solving Orientation: Users seek information to resolve particular issues, e.g., health workers in county hospitals requiring latest treatment protocols.
• Varied Depth and Breadth: Needs range from quick facts to in-depth research, such as a student needing an overview of climate change versus a researcher requiring detailed climate models.
• User-Centered: Needs depend on individual or group characteristics, including education level, profession, and cultural background, as seen in community libraries serving diverse ethnic groups.
• Temporal Sensitivity: Some information needs are urgent and time-bound, like journalists at The Standard seeking current news reports.
• Evolving Nature: Needs change over time with new developments, requiring continuous assessment by librarians, for example, adapting to increased demand for digital resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chapter Summary

This chapter explored the concept of library information resources by first clarifying key terms such as information and information needs, establishing a foundation for understanding how users seek and require information. It then examined various methods for identifying user information needs, including interviews, questionnaires, case studies, and focus groups, highlighting their roles in gathering accurate data. The chapter also discussed essential tools used in selecting information materials, such as indexes, catalogues, abstracts, accession registers, bibliographies, calendars, and shelf lists, which aid in organizing and retrieving resources effectively. Furthermore, it provided an overview of different types of library information materials, distinguishing between print or book media and non-print or non-book formats. Together, these topics offer a comprehensive framework for analyzing and addressing user information requirements within library settings.